Awareness and Advocacy Resource List

The ACA is committed to promoting the value of archives and archivists to institutions, communities, and society. 

As a part of the ACA’s public awareness program, the Public Awareness and Advocacy Committee has compiled a resource of existing public awareness and advocacy resources that we encourage you to utilize in your own public awareness efforts. 

The resource list is divided into five sections below. 

Messaging 

Resources to help you articulate the value of archives, develop elevator pitches, and more! 

• International Council on Archives - Universal Declaration on Archives: Toolkitand other resources to help you articulate the value of archives 

https://www.ica.org/en/advocacy-0  

• International Council on Archives – Awareness Brochure: Elevator pitch examples and tips 

https://www.ica.org/sites/default/files/SPA_Brochure_Advocacy-EN.pdf#page=4  

• Association of Canadian Archivists – What are Archives?: Plain language and approachable description of archives 

https://archivists.ca/sys/website/?pageId=18483 

• Le Regroupement des services d’archivesprivéesagréés du Québec- What is an archives?:  

Short informative videos describing archives, documents and how to deal with personaldocuments.  

https://rsapaq.com/capsules/ 

• Council on Library and Information Resources - The Societal Role of Archives: Description of archives and the role they play 

https://www.clir.org/pubs/reports/pub89/role/ 

• Society of American Archivists - What is An Archives: A guide to help you explain archives in an approachable way 

http://files.archivists.org/advocacy/AAM/WhatIsAnArchives.pdf  

• Society of American Archivists – Say What? Talking Points on the Value of Archives: Elevator pitch examples to articulate the importance of archives 

http://files.archivists.org/advocacy/AAM/TalkingPoints.pdf 

• Society of American Archivists – Archives Change Lives: Video with quotes on the power of archives  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXI5G9ptXxo  

• Dominique Luster – TEDx Talk: Video about how archives can uplift marginalized voices 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsNPlBBi1IE  

Media 

Raising awareness of your archives to the media, writing press releases, and media relations tips 

• International Council on Archives – Awareness Brochure: Tips on getting media attention on archives 

https://www.ica.org/sites/default/files/SPA_Brochure_Advocacy-EN.pdf#page=6  

• Steering Committee on Canada’s Archives – National Awareness & Advocacy Strategy: Actions archives and individual archivists can take to advocate with the media 

https://archives2026.files.wordpress.com/2021/03/awareness-strategy_jan2021_en.pdf#page=36  

• Canadian Council of Archives – Awareness Toolkit: Practical tips for cultivating awareness of archives in the media 

Resource under review! Link forthcoming 

Government 

Raising awareness of your archives to different levels of government, writing letters to politicians, and lobbying politicians 

• International Council on Archives – Awareness Brochure: Tips on lobbying for archives to politicians, governments, and other stakeholders 

https://www.ica.org/sites/default/files/SPA_Brochure_Advocacy-EN.pdf#page=9 

• Steering Committee on Canada’s Archives – National Awareness & Advocacy Strategy: Actions archives and individual archivists can take to advocate with politicians 

https://archives2026.files.wordpress.com/2021/03/awareness-strategy_jan2021_en.pdf#page=43  

• Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec - Nos programmesofferts au milieu archivistique:  

Available programs offered by the national archives for Quebec community archives  

https://www.banq.qc.ca/notre-institution/archives-nationales/nos-programmes-offerts-au-milieu-archivistique/  

• Canadian Council of Archives – Awareness Toolkit: Practical tips for cultivating awareness of archives in the government 

Resource under review! Link forthcoming 

• Society of American Archivists – Archives, Public Policy & You: Advocacy Guide: A guide for speaking to politicians, from a specifically American context  

https://www2.archivists.org/advocacy/advocacy-guide  

Education 

Raising awareness of your archives and archival material to educators, from elementary to higher education 

• Steering Committee on Canada’s Archives – National Awareness & Advocacy Strategy: Actions archives and individual archivists can take to advocate with teachers and educators 

https://archives2026.files.wordpress.com/2021/03/awareness-strategy_jan2021_en.pdf#page=41  

• The National Archives – Case Studies on Higher Education: Case studies illustrating archival advocacy in higher education 

https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/archives-sector/case-studies-and-research-reports/case-studies/higher-education/  

• The National Archives – Guide to Collaboration for Archives and Higher Education: Guidance on improving collaboration between archives and academic institutions 

https://cdn.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documents/archives/2018-edition-archive-and-he-guidance-all-sections-combined-ci-final.pdf  

• Archives and Records Association UK & Ireland -ArchI’ve Learnt:Resources for using archival collections as educational aids for ages 7-18 and for teachers 

https://www.exploreyourarchive.org/learning/  

• The Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York - Archives Education Institute:Resource packet on introducing primary sources to K-12 educators 

https://www.nycarchivists.org/event-4516322  

Public 

Raising awareness of your archives to your community and the public 

• International Council on Archives – Awareness Brochure: Tips on advocating to the general public, communities, businesses and professionals, and others 

https://www.ica.org/sites/default/files/SPA_Brochure_Advocacy-EN.pdf#page=11  

• International Council on Archives – How to Conduct Outreach Activities with a Limited Budget: Developing Advocacy Plans for outreach activities to develop awareness 

https://www.ica.org/en/how-to-conduct-outreach-activities-with-a-limited-budget   

• Canadian Council of Archives – Awareness Toolkit: Practical tips for cultivating awareness of archives in the general public 

Resource under review! Link forthcoming 

• Society of American Archivists – ArchivesAware: Awareness and outreach resources, blog posts, and ideas of connecting to all kinds of different communities 

https://archivesaware.archivists.org  

• The National Archives – Understanding Your Community: Resources designed to help you develop a good understanding of the needs and interests of the community you serve. 

https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/archives-sector/advice-and-guidance/talking-to-your-community/understanding-your-community/