American Archives Month 2009

On the way back from a wedding in New York I had the opportunity to stop and see the public library in Sandusky, Ohio. The library has an active archives program, and I thought it would be appropriate to feature the library to promote Archives Month which is in October every year. The Sandusky Library has a very unusual facility which includes the renovated Carnegie Library, the old county jail, and a modern addition which connects the two buildings. The history of the library is located here. An even more unusual aspect of the library is that it operates a historical museum which is in another facility. With all of these history connections it is only logical that the library has an outstanding Sandusky History blog.

The Society of American Archivists sponsors the celebration of American Archives Month much in the same way that the American Library Association sponsors National Library Week. The SAA has developed a public relations kit to help promote Archives Month in 2009 which has the theme "Celebrating the American Record". There are many possible ways that libraries could help celebrate Archives Month. High on the list are programs and exhibits. These could focus on the library's own history and archives or those of the community in which the library is located. If not this year, plan for next year and the next and the next...