The summer newsletter is now online.

Thank you to all those who submitted articles and news items for this issue. Another issue will be coming out this summer, so please consider submitting an article or some news about your work.

Happy reading!

Sue Tyson, Andrew Kopp, Richelle Mackenzie, and Rebecca Vasquez

SCA Newsletter Team

newsletter@calarchivists.org

The Board of Directors of the Society of California Archivists echoes the American Library Association’s disappointment in the firing of Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden by President Trump. 

As ALA President Cindy Hohl stated on May 9th, "Dr. Hayden’s abrupt and unjust dismissal is an insult to the scope and breadth of work Dr. Hayden has undertaken in her role leading the Library of Congress.”1 As per the New York Times, “Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, said the administration believed Dr. Hayden ‘did not fit the needs of the American people,’ and that her firing resulted from ‘quite concerning things that she had done at the Library of Congress in the pursuit of D.E.I.’”2 SCA is, at its core, an organization that develops, supports, and promotes archival education to all individuals regardless of national origin, race, orientation, or religion, making it fundamentally in disagreement with the Trump Administration’s anti-DEI efforts.

California’s archival community includes people of color, members of the LGBTQI community, immigrants, religious clergy, and people with disabilities. The records we hold document the historical past, transform communities, and promote unity and understanding. We value diversity in all its manifestations.

In solidarity,

The Board of Directors of the Society of California Archivists

1. “ALA Praises Service of Dr. Carla Hayden, Decries ‘Unjust Dismissal’ of Librarian of Congress | ALA,” accessed May 12, 2025. 

2. Erica L. Green, “Trump Fired Librarian of Congress Over D.E.I.,” The New York Times, May 9, 2025, sec. U.S., https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/09/us/politics/hayden-library-of-congress-dei.html.

The Society of California Archivists strongly supports the SAA Diversity Committee’s Statement on Nationwide Attacks against DEIA Programs and Initiatives. 

These attacks have had an outsized impact on the lives of many in our professional community.  Some have been strong-armed into compliance with Executive Orders; had important funding or employment terminated; and/or lost the freedom and agency to work according to their professional values.

Diversity is a core value for both SAA and SCA, and DEIA programs and initiatives are central to our work as archivists.  We stand behind the SAA Diversity Committee and encourage our SCA members to read the full statement and share it widely.

In solidarity,

Board of Directors of the Society of California Archivists

For almost 20 years, SCA membership dues remained unchanged. Recently, a measure to increase annual membership fees passed with 90% approval over the following categories: Individual (now $65), Institutional (now $120), and Retiree (now $30). New rates will be effective in May. Student membership dues will remain at $20.

SCA stands behind the American Library Association (ALA) and American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) in challenging the Trump Administration’s executive order to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).  

Last week, ALA and AFSCME filed a lawsuit against the administration, asking a federal judge to halt the elimination of programs and services offered by the IMLS. “Libraries play an important role in our democracy, from preserving history to providing access to government information, advancing literacy and civic engagement, and offering access to a variety of perspectives,” said ALA President Cindy Hohl. “These values are worth defending. We will not allow extremists to threaten our democracy by eliminating programs at IMLS and harming the children and communities who rely on libraries and the services and opportunities they provide.”

You can learn more about the executive order and what you can do to support IMLS on ALA’s website here.

In Solidarity,

Board of Directors of the Society of California Archivists

Join the SCA Strategic Planning Task Force after lunch on Thursday, April 3. We'll be reviewing the results of the 2024 member-wide survey, discussing recommendations for future directions for the organization, and soliciting member feedback. We hope to talk with you soon.

Don't forget to signup for repository tours and Gourmet Night! You can register for repository tours here. All tours are scheduled for Wednesday, April 2 and each tour will be no longer than 2 hours. Sites include the Autry Resources Center, Burbank Historical Society, Disney Archives, NBC Universal and Warner Bros. Corporate Archives. Detailed descriptions of each tour can be found on the Repository Tours webpage. All tours will include standing and walking. All sites are wheelchair accessible unless otherwise noted. For those who require any special accommodations can note their needs in the tour registration form. In addition, unless noted otherwise, there is no easy or quick public transit route to these locations from the conference hotel. Driving or using ride-share is the most viable option. The 2025 SCA AGM Gourmet Night will be held on Thursday, April 3. Gourmet Night is a fun opportunity to connect with others in the archival profession who you may not already know. Sign up here to join others for dinner on Thursday, April 3rd at 7pm. The shared spreadsheet will be available online through March 31st. In-person sign-ups will also be available at the conference. All costs are the responsibility of the attendees. The restaurants to choose from include Idle Hour, Laurel Tavern, Don Cuco, SunCafe Organic, Jon & Vinny’s, Vitello’s, The Smoke House, and The Front Yard

The Board of Directors of the Society of California Archivists stands by our colleagues at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) during this chaotic and uncertain time. With the unprecedented firing of the Archivist of the United States; the sudden removal of DEI programs, documentation, and guidance across federal agencies; and the threat of widespread federal layoffs; we call on Congress and the courts to protect the vital, nonpartisan role of NARA and uphold the rule of law.

Political interference into NARA's work threatens the transparency and integrity of our nation's documentary heritage.Central to SCA’s core values is the “belief that public notice should be given before removal of any online government information” and a “commitment to offer users free access to information without discrimination.” If you want to learn more about current efforts to preserve public government data, please see the Data Rescue Resource Guide compiled by SCA’s Labor Advocacy and Public Policy Committee. 

This is a constantly evolving situation, but your voice matters!  We urge SCA members and fellow archivists to support our colleagues at NARA by contacting legislators and pushing for accountability, transparency, and support for the important work that they do to “preserve, protect, and share the historical records of the United States to promote public inquiry and strengthen democratic participation.”

In solidarity,

Board of Directors of the Society of California Archivists

Our thoughts go out to everyone affected by the catastrophic fires in Southern California.  At this point we don't know the extent to which our local archives and cultural heritage institutions have been affected, but we will be monitoring the situation and sharing any additional resources as they become available.  Please share your own news and resources on the West_arch listserv or by tagging us on social media so that we can repost:

• Northeast Document Conservation Center: NEDCC has a number of free services and resources on their website as well as a 24/7 disaster assistance hotline: 1-855-245-8303.  
• Heritage Emergency National Task Force: HENTF is co-sponsored by FEMA and the Smithsonian Institution to assist cultural institutions when their collections are damaged by a disaster.
• National Disaster Recovery Fund for Archives:  SAA Foundation's NDRFA grants of up to $5,000 available for immediate recovery efforts. Applications are processed quickly, with grants typically awarded within 7–10 business days. 
• LA County wildfire emergency page: includes important updates, resources for residents impacted by the fires, evacuation information, and a fire map.
• Mutual Aid Los Angeles Network (MALAN): information hub for mutual aid efforts across the city of LA. They have a comprehensive and growing resource library for those affected by the fires.

Sincerely,

SCA Board