The Society of American Archivists is pleased to introduce Amy Cooper Cary as the next Editor of American Archivist. Cary is head of Special Collections and University Archives in the Raynor Memorial Libraries at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She will serve a three-year term beginning January 1, 2021.

August 6, 2020--At its August 3 virtual meeting, the SAA Council approved significant revisions to the Core Values of Archivists and Code of Ethics for Archivists, as proposed by the Committee on Ethics and Professional Conduct. The documents reflect member input from a 2018 comment period. The documents will be reviewed on a more regular schedule--including opportunity for member input--going forward.

In other action, the Council: 

August 6, 2020—After receiving an overwhelming response to this year’s call for volunteers, SAA Vice President/President-Elect Rachel Vagts is pleased to announce the following appointments to SAA groups.

July 27, 2020—Minutes from the June 30, 2020, Council virtual meeting are available now here. 

For highlights from this meeting, see this news item. 

July 24, 2020—SAA will launch the second comprehensive Archival Census and Education Needs Survey in the United States (A*CENSUS II) in early September, thanks to a $249,500 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

In this digital-only edition of Archival Outlook, Armando Suárez offers a case study for how archivists at Princeton University are revising their finding aids to be more inclusive; Kerri Milliken considers what we can learn from condolence collections to document the COVID-19 pandemic; Samantha Meier shares how a reference request at the Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff highlighted scientist Dorothy

The SAA Diversity Committee will facilitate a Listening/Strategy Session to reflect on the SAA Council Statement on Black Lives and Archives and brainstorm ideas about creating change from top to bottom within the Society, with a particular emphasis on ensuring accountability to reduce harm to Black and brown people and begin repairing centuries of violence committed against Black people in our society and in our profession. This event is open for everyone.

A recording of this event is now available here. 

The SAA Council invites you to join us for a conversation about SAA’s financial outlook, budget, and how it all works.  All are welcome to attend!

Friday, July 17, 2020
3:00 pm – 4:15 pm ET (12:00 pm PT / 1:00 pm MT / 2:00 pm CT)

July 9, 2020—To date, the Archival Workers Emergency Fund has supported 139 archival workers in need! Thank you to the AWEF Review Committee for their diligent work each week to get these fund dispersed!