Heritage groups challenge George W. Bush nominee for US Archivist: so what?

Abstract

Purpose

Explores why it is that archivists and records managers rarely discuss important aspects of the highest ranking record‐keeping job in any country. There are plenty of issues about what is or should be one of the most critical positions in any democratic society, whether at the national, state/provincial or local government level, worthy and in need of open discussion and debate within the professional community and more broadly in the public domain.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the controversial, ongoing case of President Bush's nomination of a new Archivist of the United States (historian Professor Allen Weinstein), this article focuses on some of the above issues.

Findings

Largely out of sight or earshot of the US public, US historians, archivists, librarians and information managers have united in community force to challenge President George W. Bush's nomination for the next Archivist of the United States. Discusses the possibilities of real or perceived political interference in the management of the nation's archives and especially ready public access to its Presidential records.

Originality/value

The dispute highlights changing thinking about what constitutes proper selection process and qualifications for national archivists that could stimulate professional debate world‐wide.

Citation

Barry, R.E.(“). and Steemson, M.J.(“). (2005), "Heritage groups challenge George W. Bush nominee for US Archivist: so what?", Records Management Journal, Vol. 15 No. 1, pp. 7-20. https://doi.org/10.1108/09565690510585394