Strong archival programs are rare, in part because the archival field has not given sustained attention to program leadership and management issues over the years. As a consequence, many programs are underfunded and undersupported and lack sufficient space, staff, and other resources to carry out their immensely important work. This collection of essays from eight of the archival field's notably successful leaders provides first-hand accounts of how to carry out planning, build coalitions and alliances, garner resources, empower and inspire program personnel, change program direction, and take programs in new, dynamic directions.

There is an abundance of literature on archival theory, techniques, and practice, but leadership, program building, and related topics are seldom covered in archival literature. This collection of essays provides varying perspectives, insights, advice, caveats, and other helpful information based on the experiences of highly regarded professionals in the field who have actually developed and administered successful programs. They address such issues as how to define program success, the traits of a successful program, leadership traits, and similarities and differences between archival program and similar programs, such as libraries.

Leading the Historical Enterprise: Strategic Creativity, Planning, and Advocacy for the Digital Age presents new ideas and strategies for leading and innovating in museums, historical societies, historic sites, and other state and local history programs. The book blends insights from the best practices of model historical programs and museums with themes from the best recent studies of leadership. This is a practical book with concrete suggestions that can be applied in just about any program setting. It covers: *Demographics, technology, resource constraints, and other forces that are affecting the work of historical programs and museums *Developing mission and goals to keep programs responsive to changing needs, challenges, and opportunities *Effective strategies for leading and innovating to keep programs vibrant *Engaging users and audiences for our programs in new ways *Putting information technology to work and engaging users in new ways *Day-to-day leadership of historical programs and museums The book will be of interest to trustees, directors and staff of museums, historic sites, historical societies, and other state and local history programs; policy makers, e.g, legislative staff with responsibility for policy or budgets of cultural programs; professors and students of public history; libraries; and other people interested in state and local history and in innovation in cultural programs.

This book provides success stories from top leaders in archives and records management.Bruce Dearstyne, one of the profession's most influential educators, has gathered fourteen prominent leaders with proven track records in archives and records management. They reveal the secrets of their success and lay out what it takes to build and manage a dynamic, high-achieving program.Representing programs at government, for-profit, and non-profit organizations, authors include: Edie Hedlin, former Archivist of the Smithsonian Institution; Phil Mooney, Archivist, Coca Cola Company; Eugenia Brumm, former Records Manager, Abbott Labs and now Director in the Legal Operations Consulting area at Huron Consulting Group; and more.Read this book to see expert management strategies at work and to understand the "why" and "how" of excellent programs. You will come away with better solutions for all things management - from writing effective mission statements to gauging and responding to the market for services. The authors give candid, fascinating accounts of their leadership style and its impact in shaping and directing a program, of dealing with institutional change, overcoming enormous budgeting and human resources challenges - and much more.Giving lie to the adage that "leaders are born, not made," this collection offers practical wisdom and useful advice that will help you take your leadership skills to the next level.

Leading the Historical Enterprise: Strategic Creativity, Planning, and Advocacy for the Digital Age presents new ideas and strategies for leading and innovating in museums, historical societies, historic sites, and other state and local history programs. The book blends insights from the best practices of model historical programs and museums with themes from the best recent studies of leadership. This is a practical book with concrete suggestions that can be applied in just about any program setting. It covers: *Demographics, technology, resource constraints, and other forces that are affecting the work of historical programs and museums *Developing mission and goals to keep programs responsive to changing needs, challenges, and opportunities *Effective strategies for leading and innovating to keep programs vibrant *Engaging users and audiences for our programs in new ways *Putting information technology to work and engaging users in new ways *Day-to-day leadership of historical programs and museums The book will be of interest to trustees, directors and staff of museums, historic sites, historical societies, and other state and local history programs; policy makers, e.g, legislative staff with responsibility for policy or budgets of cultural programs; professors and students of public history; libraries; and other people interested in state and local history and in innovation in cultural programs.

This is a book of fresh insights, perspectives, strategies, and approaches for managing electronic records and for addressing the implications for archival programs operating in a digital environment. The authors draw on first-hand experience to present practical solutions, including recommendations for building and sustaining strong electronic records programs. The book addresses several themes: .Historical development of digital technologies and their impact on records creation and recordkeeping practices .Definition and concept of "electronic record" .Institutional and legal contexts for development of electronic records policies .Roles for archival and records management programs in broader digital initiatives of their parent institutions .Moving from theory to practice .Strategies for developing and sustaining successful programs, including leadership approaches, partnering with records creators, fostering development of new knowledge, skills, and abilities for information professionals, and adapting and customizing programs.