n.activities in which archivists and their allies engage to gain support for archival records, the institutions that manage these records, archivists, and the archives professionSAA 2016SAA’s advocacy efforts are directed to three principal audiences: We target policymakers for important messages on archives- and records-related public policy. We work to raise general public awareness of the importance of archives—and the important work of archivists. And we provide resources for members to enhance advocacy within their own organizations with key decision makers, colleagues, and others.
Notes
The importance of advocacy to archives and the archival profession was recognized by the Society of American Archivists with the establishment of the J. Franklin Jameson Archival Advocacy Award in 1989, which honors an individual, institution, or organization that promotes greater public awareness, appreciation, or support of archival activities or programs.Although most often used broadly, in some contexts, advocacy is concerned more with influencing legislative and regulatory (i.e., public policy) decisions of government at all levels and is distinguished from activities involved in influencing groups other than legislators or regulators, such as the general public, institutional resource allocators, and users of archives.
