Thank you Lakeshia for bringing up these points about recent censorship attempts at NARA under Shogan's leadership. That should be an important consideration for ALA. I am also very concerned that the WAY Dr Shogan was removed and the potential for shenanigans in choosing her replacement is going to lead to more censorship of this exact sort. We should be very clear that we support a politically independent National Archives under qualified leadership accepted by the field of archivists at large.
------------------------------
Kestrel Ward MSI/MA
they/them
Digital Services and OER Specialist
Florida Virtual Campus Library Services
https://libraries.flvc.org/------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: Feb 11, 2025 03:00 PM
From: LaKeshia Darden
Subject: NARA Letter
Greetings,
I have been concerned with Ms. Shogan's oversight on NARA's recent decisions to remove select resources from its collection:
Congressional Black Caucus: Tri-Caucus Chairs Express Outrage at Censorship of Exhibits at the National Archives Museum
National Archives Accused of Censoring Images of Civil Rights Leaders and Forced Relocation of Indigenous Peoples
National lArchives Blog-Dr. Colleen Shogan's retired blog
NARA's statement to The Wall Street Journal:
The National Archives is the nation's record keeper. We are an independent government agency responsible for preserving, protecting, and sharing the records of the United States without partisanship or ideology. To be successful, it is imperative that the National Archives welcomes-and feels welcoming to-all Americans.
We are not activists for anything but the records themselves. Dr. Shogan is strongly committed to upholding that value for the National Archives.
...The Archivist is working to ensure the agency tells a more complete story of American history.
After the outrage of these decisions, Dr. Shogan did not explain to the American public how the removal of such resources contribute to "telling a more complete story of American history." Removing these resources did not feel "welcoming" to the Black and Indigenous communities.
Where was ALA's statement in support of these communities? Where was ALA's critique of these actions?
I caution ALA against signing statements supporting specific individuals, especially Dr. Shogan, on behalf of membership.
However, I do think supporting the position is necessary.
Let's be more cautious in the future and consider the voices of all members of ALA.
Respectfully,
Dr. LaKeshia Darden
LaKeshia Darden, Ed.DLibrarian. Educator. Advocate.
Coretta Scott King Book Awards Jury Chair, 2023-2025
Original Message:
Sent: 2/11/2025 2:48:00 PM
From: Ed Garcia
Subject: NARA Letter
ALA signed onto this coalition letter sent to the President expressing concern about the removal of the Archivist of the United States.
------------------------------
Ed Garcia
Chair, Committee on Legislation
Rhode Island Chapter Councilor
Library Director
Cranston Public Library
Cranston, RI
------------------------------