In collaboration with other archival description aggregators, the CDL is exploring the development of a sustainable national archival finding aid network that would continue to serve the needs of aggregators and archival repositories -- while providing researchers with more comprehensive access to collections. This planning activity builds on "Toward a National Archival Finding Aid Network (NAFAN)," a 2018-2019 LSTA-funded planning initiative.
For more information, please see the following resources:
- NAFAN project wiki
- Finding Aid Aggregation at a Crossroads (May 2019): This report represents the first phase of the 2018-2019 planning initiative. Here, we are developing a collective understanding of the current landscape of archival description -- and in particular, finding aid aggregations -- as background for an exploration of how best to provide access to archival collections, ensure the long-term sustainability of that access, and plan for future developments in this space.
- Toward a National Archival Finding Aid Network - From Planning Initiative to Project and Program: An Action Plan (October 2019): This action plan is a key deliverable of the 2018-2019 planning initiative, drawing directly on the symposium outcomes. At the heart of the action plan are recommendations for and principles to guide next steps to implement a national-level finding aid network. The action plan recommends a phased, incremental approach that moves this effort from a research and demonstration project to a program; is informed by a research agenda; and (from the beginning) includes work to establish business and governance models that fit the infrastructure and service model.