The mission of the National Association of Government Archives and Records Administrators (NAGARA) is to support and champion the government archives and records administration profession. There is no more visible model for our profession than the Archivist of the United States (AOTUS).
In light of the recent nomination of Dr. Colleen Shogan for the position of AOTUS, today NAGARA submitted the following questions to the United States Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs for consideration during her upcoming Senate confirmation hearing:
- NARA has two primary customer bases: the public, mainly served by what NARA accessions and makes available for research, and Executive Branch agencies, mainly served by records management oversight, laws, and assistance. How will you balance carrying out both missions in tandem?
- How will you engage with public officials and heads of federal agencies to ensure they – and the staff they lead – understand and comply with federal records laws?
- Describe your priorities for working towards diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. How would you work towards ensuring the archival record of the nation reflects its diversity?
- How do you see the role of NARA as differing from that of other cultural heritage organizations in the Federal government?
- What suggestions would you offer Congress on updates to the Federal Records Act and Presidential Records Act that would modernize them, close loopholes, and protect the ability of Americans to audit the work of their public officials?
- Can you explain how your experience demonstrates the necessary competencies to lead NARA and address the complex challenges facing the agency?
- How do you intend to engage NARA senior leadership to provide the necessary vision to and support of rank-and-file agency staff who consistently demonstrate their commitment to NARA’s mission?
- Will you commit to supporting an extension to the M-19-21 deadline for government agencies transition to electronic records management given the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic over the past two years
NAGARA will continue engaging with government archives and records administrators, elected leaders, legislative bodies, and other stakeholder to meet the changing needs of our membership and the profession.
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