"Note is the consummate project manager, and it shows in her handbook of project management for information professionals. This book knows what it is, and what it is not; it remains true to its project scope."
Many archives invest significant time and effort in creating strategic plans. These documents articulate vision, mission, and goals, providing a roadmap for the years ahead. However, too often, plans remain just that: documents on a shelf rather than living guides that shape day-to-day work. The gap between strategy and execution is where many archives falter.
Institutions like universities and governments have traditionally controlled archives, deciding which histories to preserve. This model can sideline the voices of the communities whose stories are being recorded. In recent decades, participatory archiving has emerged, an approach that acknowledges people as active partners in shaping their own history.
With limited resources, increasing demand, and rapid technological change, archives cannot afford to work in isolation. Building partnerships has become a strategic necessity. Collaboration expands the reach of archives, providing access to expertise, technology, and funding that may be beyond the reach of any single institution.
Archivists often find themselves explaining the value of their work to administrators, funders, and the public. Stories about unique discoveries or heartwarming encounters with collections have their place, but when it comes to advocacy and decision-making, data provides a stronger foundation. Numbers create credibility, offering concrete evidence of outcomes rather than subjective impressions.