Making Access Happen: Subject Matter Experts Dig Deep Into History
By Mary C. Ryan | National Archives News
WASHINGTON, July 12, 2024 – Navigating billions of records at the National Archives can be daunting. Records are not organized by subject, like a library catalog, and material relating to a single topic can be spread over several “record groups” (the basic organizational unit of the National Archives, each comprising the records of a major government entity).
To help enhance the researcher experience, the National Archives developed the Subject Matter Expert Program. The program began in 2018 with the hiring of five subject matter experts and has grown to 11 experts, with the most recent hire in March 2024 for women’s history.
“We are committed to supporting a dynamic program that actively responds to researcher needs and interests,” said Chris Naylor, Executive for Research Services. “Each subject matter expert has deep knowledge about the federal records relating to their specific topics. They use this expertise to guide researchers through complicated research topics, bring attention to underused holdings, and make complex records more accessible through the reference process.”
In addition, these experts are ambassadors for Archives records and other holdings. They participate in media interviews, write articles, and are active in professional organizations. These relationships connect the Archives to the researcher community, to colleagues throughout the archival and related professions, and to the agencies whose records come to the National Archives. Within the agency, subject matter experts offer guidance to their colleagues through formal and informal means, including individual consultation and staff training.
“The subject matter experts also plan and carry out projects to improve access to the records in their topical subject areas. The web pages, blog posts, and presentations are examples of other resources that will benefit the public in years to come,” said Haley Birnbaum, Subject Matter Expert Coordinator.
Subject-oriented web pages on Archives.gov exist for many of these topical areas. The pages explain the types of records that pertain to a particular topic and give advice on how to navigate Archives records so that the researcher can have the best possible experience. These web pages support the agency’s commitment to expanding online access to records.
The experts also participate in public programming like the Know Your Records Program and collaborate on events with other organizations, such as our recent February 2024 program on the Freedman’s Village with Arlington National Cemetery. Subject matter experts also write History Hub blog posts to highlight and explain records that may otherwise be difficult to explore.
In May and June this year, subject matter experts directly interacted with the public through presentations at the annual Genealogy Series. The presentations were entirely online, and the recorded talks are available to view on the National Archives YouTube channel.
Subject matter experts work in the following areas:
- NASA and Related Records
- Native American Related Records
- Immigrant Related Records
- Asian American and Pacific Islander Related Records
- Records Relating to the African American Experience
- Modern Military
- Genealogy and Census Records
- U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Coast Guard Records
- Records Related to Women's History