April 30, 2010 – Archivist of the United States David S. Ferriero announced the publication of the National Archives and Records Administration’s Open Government Plan on April 8, 2010. The National Archives joins other Federal departments and agencies in establishing concrete plans for making operations and data more transparent and expanding opportunities for citizen participation, collaboration, and oversight.
The National Archives plan focuses on:
- Reclaiming its records management leadership role by finding and developing cost-effective IT solutions needed to meet the electronic records management challenges of today and the future;
- Providing services to mediate disputes between Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requestors and Federal agencies through the Office of Government Information Services;
- Developing the Electronic Records Archives which will enhance long-term preservation and access to electronic records;
- Creating the National Declassification Center to support open government by streamlining the declassification process throughout the Federal Government; and
- Providing ready access to the official text of Federal laws, Presidential documents, and administrative regulations and notices through the Federal Register.
According to an agency press release, the National Archives is committed to improving its online capabilities in order to foster the public’s use of the agency’s records. As part of this effort, the agency plans to redesign Archives.gov. and explore opportunities to develop its current catalog into a social catalog that would allow online users to contribute information to descriptions of National Archives records.
A comprehensive social media strategy is also being developed for the agency, which will include internal as well as external communication efforts using new media tools so that the Archives will become a leader and innovator in all aspects of social media.
The Archivist has also launched his own blog,
“AOTUS: Collector in Chief” to discuss the crucial challenges the agency faces and the future of the National Archives.
Additional information about NARA’s open government plan and how to provide feedback is available
here.
Related content:
National Archives,
Open Government