Our Vision. The National Archives is not a dusty hoard of ancient history. It is a public trust on which our democracy depends. It enables people to inspect for themselves the record of what government has done. It enables officials and agencies to review

Our Vision. The National Archives is not a dusty hoard of ancient history. It is a public trust on which our democracy depends. It enables people to inspect for themselves the record of what government has done. It enables officials and agencies to review their actions and helps citizens hold them accountable. It ensures continuing access to essential evidence that documents: the rights of American citizens; the actions of federal officials; the national experience.

¶ To be effective, we at NARA must do the following: determine what evidence is essential for such documentation; ensure that government creates such evidence; make it easy for users to access that evidence regardless of where it is, where they are, for as long as needed; find technologies, techniques, and partners worldwide that can help improve service and hold down cost; help staff members continuously expand their capability to make the changes necessary to realize the vision.