[SOA] FW: SAA Calls on Members to Advocate for Robust NARA Funding

[Carleton, Janet (she/her)]

From: SAA Headquarters via Society of American Archivists <Mail at ConnectedCommunity.org>
Sent: Thursday, June 26, 2025 5:29 PM
To: Carleton, Janet (she/her) <carleton at ohio.edu>
Subject: [SAA announcements] : SAA Calls on Members to Advocate for Robust NARA Funding

On Tuesday, June 24, NARA at College Park announced changes on the NARA website that gave the appearance of a new policy to reduce physical access... -posted to the "Announcements" community
[SAA Headquarters]<https://connect.archivists.org/network/members/profile?UserKey=7c405220-2e02-4c09-8ca5-34a8a2c1e5ec>
Jun 26, 2025 4:29 PM
SAA Headquarters<https://connect.archivists.org/network/members/profile?UserKey=7c405220-2e02-4c09-8ca5-34a8a2c1e5ec>

On Tuesday, June 24, NARA at College Park announced changes on the NARA website that gave the appearance of a new policy to reduce physical access to the building. NARA's website also indicated that anyone interested in conducting research with the archives could still do so despite the new policy. As of June 25, the NARA at College Park website has been updated to remove the language that appeared to restrict access to the building. Access to archives is a core value of the Society of American Archivists. We will continue to monitor the situation to ensure that no researchers are denied access to the records stewarded by NARA.

The leadership of the Society of American Archivists (SAA) supports the mission of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) to preserve and provide access to the essential records of the federal government. Recent reports<https://federalnewsnetwork.com/budget/2025/06/former-archivist-raises-red-flags-over-nara-cuts/> suggest that the current budget proposal will cut NARA's budget by $60 million and result in the elimination of 136 full-time positions across the agency.

We need you to add your voice to the calls of support for NARA. SAA urges members to contact their senators and representatives in support of the National Archives, the services they provide, and the records they steward. The timeline for the appropriations process is tightening - please take a few minutes to contact your legislators today.

Find your legislator: www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member<https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member>

It's all in the details. When advocating, use statistics and facts to help support your claims. Tell your representatives and senators why the safekeeping of government archives is essential to a free and healthy democracy. Call or write to them to share how national archives change lives. Some examples include:

  *   preserving and promoting our nation's foundational documents,
  *   giving veterans access to their personnel records to secure benefits,
  *   connecting with your family's history,
  *   coordinating the processes for declassifying millions of federal records,
  *   teaching students about the history of the United States, and
  *   studying and understanding the human experience.

SAA continues to support our NARA colleagues and archivists across the country. We appreciate the voices of the many SAA members who have joined the chorus of advocates telling Congress about the vitally important federal support for archives.


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SAA Headquarters
Society of American Archivists
Chicago IL
saahq at archivists.org<mailto:saahq at archivists.org>
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