New York's Archivists, Librarians, and Records Managers Respond to the World
Trade Center Tragedy
New York's community of archivists, librarians, and records managers wish to
express their deepest sympathies to the individuals, families, and communities
that have suffered and endured so much as a result of the September 11th World
Trade Center tragedy.
In an effort to provide assistance during this period of recovery and
rebuilding, a group of archives, library, and records management organizations
are undertaking collaborative initiatives to address both the need for immediate
disaster assessment and recovery and the longer-term need to document the
people, organizations and activities surrounding the Trade Center attack,
response and recovery in New York. These efforts have just begun,
and both the activities and organizations involved are expected to grow and
change in the coming months. In addition, the group will seek to
work in cooperation with other regional, state and national initiatives
concerned with related issues.
The group, as of this date, includes: the New York State Archives
and the National Archives-Northeast Region (serving as co-coordinators);
the Archivists Roundtable of Metropolitan New York; New York University's
Program in Archival Management and Historical Editing; Columbia University;
New-York Historical Society; the New York City Department of Records and
Information Services; the Association of Records Managers and Administrators-New
York City; and the METRO Library Council.
Specifically, the group has initiated the following actions:
Disaster assessment and recovery: Efforts are underway to identify
organizations holding archival, library and records materials in the area below
14th street, to determine whether damage may have occurred in their collections,
and to provide advice on both techniques and resources for undertaking
assessment and recovery. To support this effort, a website has been
established by the State Archives at: www.nyshrab.org/WTC/wtc.html
Members of the group will be seeking information and will update the
website regularly. If you have information to provide on the status
of repositories or questions, please contact us at: dhs@mail.nysed.gov
Documentation of the WTC disaster: Efforts are underway to
develop a Documentation Task Force that will serve as a clearinghouse of
information on documentation efforts being undertaken by repositories in New
York City and around the state. In addition, the group intends to develop
a framework plan to identify the most critical issues, people, and organizations
to document in order to ensure a full historical record of this event survives.
Individual and collaborative projects will be encouraged to address
priority areas and topics. Assessing existing documentation will help us to
determine preservation and cataloging needs for the future. If you
are undertaking a documentation project, or are interested in this effort,
please visit our website at: www.nyshrab.org/WTC/document.html
or contact us at: dhs@mail.nysed.gov
The organizations and individuals committed to this endeavor seek to ensure
the survival of New York's documentary heritage, and to provide a full record of
the many aspects of the World Trade Center tragedy. We encourage
collaboration, and invite you to join us in our efforts.
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