The mission of the National Association of 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.
Appointed in November 2009, David S. Ferriero, the current Archivist, committed the National Archives and Records Administration to the principles of Open Government—transparency, participation, and collaboration. NAGARA recognizes Mr. Ferriero for his leadership, dedication, and vision during the past 12 years.
As steward of federal government records and archives, the Archivist serves as a de facto national and international leader in the professions of archives and records management and serves as a role model for archivists and records managers at all levels of government. Therefore, NAGARA recommends the following characteristics as vital for the chief officer responsible for preserving, protecting, and providing access to the permanently valuable records of this country:
Professional Values
Leadership and Advocacy
Personal Expertise and Reputation
See also NAGARA's companion document: Statement on the Selection of the 11th Archivist of the United States.