Change is not easy, but NARA staff members are doing it with enthusiam and we are seeing the results.
Wireless internet is now available for researchers who use our Washington, DC and College Park, MD facilities. This service is free and available to registered researchers.
On Monday, we launched the redesigned Archives.gov. With your help, we have made it easier for researchers, veterans, teachers, and visitors to find the information they are looking for. This summer, you voted and we listened.
The Redesigned Archives.gov
Later this month, we will launch Online Public Access, a prototype for a new search and display in the research section of Archives.gov. We want to encourage you to experience the new search interface and send your feedback to search@nara.gov.
Coming Soon: Online Public Access
This month, we will also release the first National Archives’ mobile application called “Today’s Document,” based on the popular feature on Archives.gov.
Also Coming Soon: Today’s Document Mobile App
And in January, NARA staff will begin to use an internal collaboration platform. This platform will use social-media based software to enable staff to better communicate, collaborate, and build communities.
We will see even more changes in this coming year.
Our Transformation Launch Team is engaging staff in an agency-wide reorganization and an identifcation of core values. The team is also working on substantial action items that will have direct impact on our staff and build momentum for change within our agency. I’m pleased to see so many staff participating and providing thoughtful comments on how to improve our agency.
I feel confident that these changes will enrich our organizational culture, as well as improve our ability to serve you efficiently and effectively.
1/6/11 UPDATE: Today’s Document Mobile App is now available on the Android Market and the Apple Store.
AOTUS-
Great re-design of the archives.gov website. Very easy to follow with good clean lines. Looking forward to seeing more changes soon!
The redesigned Archives.gov looks gorgeous and the new top labels are very good! Congratulations on the good design and organization! Suggestion for future: move all documents and photos into the research section.
will the document mobile app be limited to iphones or will it include droid powered phones also
Hi Peter –
The plan is to make the mobile app available via Droid, iPhone and iPad.
Pamela Wright
Chief Digital Access Strategist
National Archives and Records Administration
Wow, great redesign. Love the clean lines and calming colors that allow the focus to be on the amazing content.
love the site i am looking forward to trying the doc mobile app!!
Just looking at the propose new online public access, I see that you are going to allow metadata tagging to archive descriptors. So far tagging seems to be up and running for images, but not for the description or text information. I’d love to know how you intend for it to work! Will the tags be moderated?
I think the redesign is wonderful for individuals and teachers looking to use the collections of the National Archives for research or classroom use. I also noticed the links for federal employees and records managers looking for guidance or resources to help with preserving the American historical record.
I am missing though a direct link to NHPRC and the wonderful grant programs offered through this unit of the National Archives. For many local, state, or national organizations either publishing historical documents or looking to preserve and make available historical documents, the NHPRC resources are the first we refer to on the National Archives site.
Hi Tracey.
I noticed that “Apply for a Grant” is a link in the footer on the home page of http://www.archives.gov. I doubt most people know what NHPRC is, so “Apply for a Grant” seems to be a good label for that link.
Sam