OVERVIEW: Local government archives are typically viewed as an extension of a records management program or records storage facility instead of interactive, public service entities with an emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), as well as social justice. Yet these same archives serve the entire community, holding records in trust for citizens and increasing the accessibility and discoverability of records. One of the ways that local government archives can distinguish themselves is by focusing on DEI.
King County Archives presents one such example. The Archives spent two and a half years separated from their collection due to COVID-19 pandemic and an extended building renovation. Despite this significant disruption, County Archives staff rejuvenated the program by focusing on DEI. The approach was simple. Instead of picking specific initiative or projects that were “DEI” only, staff chose to embed DEI and social justice into every aspect of the program and their work. They collaborated on drafting a set of shared values—belonging, discovery, stewardship, kindness, and respect—to guide their interactions with patrons and each other. These values are displayed in the lobby of the building in lieu of a patron conduct statement. The Archives also implemented a DEI-focused rubric for project planning and workflow drafting.
By embedding DEI into every aspect of the program, in 2023, Archives staff realized the following goals: installation of a hand-wave door operator at the main entry; coordination of a community graffiti art contest on the front of the Archives building; creation of signage in Spanish, Vietnamese, and Chinese, as well as English; implementation of an ESJ lending library for the entire Records and Licensing Services Division (the division that the Archives is a part of); and an ADA-compliance overhaul of the Archives website. A strong commitment to DEI has reframed the program as a public service entity, a place for all people, and a research program, instead of an office that only serves internal County staff.
Public and government agencies serve the entire community so diversity and inclusion must be considered with every interaction, policy, and project. This case study discusses how a small government archives embedded DEI at the ground level to increase their commitment to community and public service.
GARA CERTIFICATE CORE COMPETENCY AREA: "Advocacy and Outreach"
TARGET AUDIENCE: Local
FOCUS AREAS: Archives
PRESENTER: Hannah Soukup, King County Archivist and Archives Program Manager, King County Washington