For the Record: newsletter of the Illinois State Archives, & the Illinois State Historical Records Advisory Board, Secretary of State & State Archivist

              For the
Winter 2002
Newsletter
of the
Illinois
State
Archives
&
The Illinois
State Historical
Records
Advisory Board
Jesse White
Secretary of State
&
State Archivist
Volume 16
Number 1
ISSN 0891-2653
Secretary of State and State Archivist Jesse White is
pleased to sponsor a three-year strategic plan for document
preservation compiled by the Illinois State Historical Records
Advisory Board (ISHRAB). “Preserving the Records of Illinois’
Past for the Benefit of the Present and the Future: A
Strategic Plan” reviews how historical records in the state
are currently being identified, preserved and made accessible
to the public, and outlines a plan to promote and enhance
those practices in a coordinated way.
During 1999-2000, ISHRAB members:
• Reviewed preservation plans produced by other like state
boards
• Engaged a consultant to assess Illinois’ historical records
and make recommendations
• Analyzed results of a 1996 ISHRAB survey of Illinois
archival repositories (conducted on behalf of the Council of
State Historical Records Coordinators)
• Reviewed ISHRAB’s 1982 “Survey and Assessment Report”
on Illinois’ archival situation
• Held meetings with a professional strategic planner
• Consulted with allied organizations on the draft plan
• Conducted five public meetings statewide
• Reached final agreement on a plan in February 2001
The plan identifies major accomplishments in the areas of
document preservation and accessibility as well as concerns
within the Illinois historical records community.
Accomplishments include the State Archives’ efforts to
preserve and make state and local historical records more
accessible through its seven Illinois Regional Archives
Depositories (IRAD) located at universities statewide.
Despite these and other accomplishments, there are several
concerns that need to be addressed. Unlike many other
states, Illinois has no central state historical/cultural agency
charged with promoting the identification, preservation and
accessibility of publicly and privately generated historical
records of enduring value. There also is no adequate
repository for historical records generated by the City of
Chicago and Cook County. Additionally, major cultural
institutions in Illinois whose missions include making
historical records from private sources accessible have faced
severe funding constraints, preventing them from adequately
fulfilling their missions.
To ensure that Illinois citizens today as well as future
generations have access to this invaluable historical
information, the strategic plan identifies six major goals to
address these concerns:
1. Promote the identification, acquisition and preservation of
historical records in all formats.
2. Promote improved access to and increased use of
historical records in Illinois.
3. Foster cooperation among individuals and institutions
concerned with the collection, preservation, access and
use of historical records in Illinois.
4. Promote the knowledge of and adherence to standards of
professional practice in the custodianship of historical
records.
5. Advocate a heightened awareness of the importance and
usefulness of historical records.
6. Advocate adequate funding for the identification,
preservation and access of historical records.
Following are critical steps identified by the board needed to
be taken toward preserving and ensuring accessibility of
Illinois historical records:
1. Identify the means to support existing Illinois historical
records repositories, and encourage Illinois organizations
and institutions without historical records programs to
form viable archives.
2. Promote professional practices among historical records
volunteers and administrators, especially those involved
with non-governmental records. The State Archives’ IRAD
system should promote professional practices regionally.
3. Coordinate efforts among the IRAD system and other
historical records repositories to expand their collection
and preservation of neglected non-governmental historical
records pertaining to their respective regions.
4. Advocate to government officials in the City of Chicago
and Cook County the importance of establishing an
archival repository.
5. Expand the role and responsibility of the ISHRAB to help
address the lack of coordination among the Illinois
historical records community. An expanded role for the
board would require substantial additional financial
support from the State Archives to ensure an adequate
level of staffing.
Project funding was provided by a grant from the National
Historical Publications and Records Commission. The ISHRAB
is responsible for monitoring the plan’s progress, conducting
annual reviews and reporting progress to the public.
For more information, visit the Secretary of State’s Web
site at www.cyberdriveillinois.com, or contact:
John Daly
Director, Illinois State Archives • Coordinator, ISHRAB
Norton Building • Springfield, IL 62756
217-782-3492 • 217-524-3930 (fax) • jdaly@ilsos.net
Robert Bailey
Deputy Coordinator, ISHRAB
217-782-3674 • 217-524-3930 (fax)
bmbailey@ilsos.net
Archives sponsors plan for preservation, accessibility of historical documents