Project Update: Building a National Finding Aid Network

Collaborative Research and Development Initiative Receives IMLS Funding Support

We are pleased to announce a $982,175 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services  (IMLS - National Leadership Grants for Libraries grant program) to  conduct a two-year research and demonstration project designed to build  the foundation for a national archival finding aid network. The  "Building a National Finding Aid Network" project will be undertaken in  collaboration with OCLC and the University of Virginia Library, and in close partnership with statewide/regional aggregators and LYRASIS (ArchivesSpace).

This project springboards on earlier findings and a subsequent action plan developed through a 2018-2019 planning initiative  (supported by IMLS under the provisions of the Library Services and  Technology Act and administered in California by the State Librarian),  which was highlighted in an OAC contributor webinar  last December. The network promises to have a transformative and  lasting impact on cultural heritage institutions and the researchers  they serve by reducing barriers to discovery, expanding the historical  record, and establishing a national mechanism for solving shared  infrastructure challenges.

The project goals and timeline are outlined in this announcement.  Over the coming weeks, we will share additional information about  "Building a National Finding Aid Network" through a publicly-accessible  online project workspace.

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