American Historical Association

NARA Seeks Input from Historians for Its Strategic Plan

The National Archives and Records Administration is embarking on an effort to update its 10-year Strategic Plan, which was last revised in 2003 (and available online) and seeks ideas and suggestions from various stakeholders. The new plan will set out NARA's overall strategic goals and objectives for the next 10 years, and could be used by all concerned to measure the progress the archives makes to achieve its goals. "I am personally excited about this opportunity and want our Strategic Plan, to be developed in a consultative manner. NARA serves a number of constituencies, and we want to hear from them all," said the Archivist of the United States Allen Weinstein. The archivist would like responses in particular to the following questions:

1) What have you liked about the services and products NARA provides?
2) What would you like to see strengthened in the services and products NARA provides?
3) In what initiatives should NARA invest over the next 10 years that will help meet your needs?
4) How can you help us serve you better?

The archivist would like answers to these questions (along with any other thoughts on the new strategic plan) to be sent to him by early August— by e-mail to vision@nara.gov or by mail.

"We will review the input we receive from our stakeholders this fall, and publish a preliminary draft of our Strategic Plan in Spring 2006, at which time we will invite additional stakeholder input," said Weinstein, and added that while it may not be possible to incorporate every idea from every stakeholder, every idea will receive consideration." The archivist's goal is to issue the new Strategic Plan by September 29, 2006.

Posted July 29, 2005

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