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Tips for Social Media Success

Social Media at the National Archives started almost 10 years ago with the Records Express blog in 2009, and our first strategy in 2010. Since that time we've grown rapidly, and the landscape of Twitter, Facebook, Instagram (and many others!) has evolved as well. When we rebooted our Social Media Strategy earlier this year, one … Continue reading Tips for Social Media Success

World War I Social Media Day

On April 11, social media accounts from 20 different libraries, archives, and museums came together to share their World War I records and collections. Organized by the National Museum of American History, activities took place all day on Twitter, Facebook, and across the web, and the National Archives and Presidential Libraries were excited to participate! … Continue reading World War I Social Media Day

Your First Thoughts on the Social Media Strategy

This post is written by Jeannie Chen, Mary King, and Hilary Parkinson and is part of our ongoing series about our social media strategy. We welcome comments from staff, other cultural institutions, and the public, and will continue to update the strategy as a living document. When we introduced NARA’s new social media strategy in August, … Continue reading Your First Thoughts on the Social Media Strategy

Rebooting the Social Media Strategy for the National Archives

This post and strategy were written by Jeannie Chen, Mary King, and Hilary Parkinson, with contributions by Dana Allen-Greil. This is the first in a new series about our social media strategy. We welcome comments from staff, other cultural institutions, and the public, and will continue to update the strategy as a living document. In six years, … Continue reading Rebooting the Social Media Strategy for the National Archives

What's New On Amara?

Last March we introduced you to our new crowdsource video caption tool, Amara. This neat tool allows anyone with an interest in transcribing our motion picture collection to join our team and start typing what you hear! After the captioning is done in Amara, the captions are transferred back to YouTube, making our holdings accessible … Continue reading What's New On Amara?

Calling Citizen Archivists to Crowdsource Video Captions!

One of the chief goals of the National Archives is making our records- regardless of format- more accessible.  Sometimes this means digitizing records and adding them to our catalog, but it also means creating ways for all US citizens to experience our collections.  Accessibility of videos for the hearing impaired is very important to us, … Continue reading Calling Citizen Archivists to Crowdsource Video Captions!

Ten Records We're Thankful to Have at the National Archives

Thanksgiving is an anticipated time of year…unless you’re a turkey!  While our traditions today may not even include the iconic bird (hello, Tofurkey!), this holiday is still cherished as a time to gather with friends and family and give thanks.  But before you start setting the table, enjoy a “harvest” of some of our favorite … Continue reading Ten Records We're Thankful to Have at the National Archives

Weird Records from the Depths of the Archives

Halloween is right around the corner, and at the National Archives we are well versed in the creepiest, weirdest records of the Federal government. Here's our list of favorites that are sure to make you shudder with fear!   What's more dangerous- a poison bottle equipped with spikes or the poison itself?:     In … Continue reading Weird Records from the Depths of the Archives

The National Archives is now on Instagram

This post was written by Addie Nguyen, a student intern in the Office of Innovation. Who could ever pass up on using the mega-addictive Instagram? It makes a photographer out of anyone – just snap an ordinary, hum-drum pic of, say, a building as you’re walking down a street, then apply an ultra-hip, vintage-looking filter … Continue reading The National Archives is now on Instagram

Federal Government Shutdown

Due to the Federal Government shutdown, the National Archives (www.archives.gov) is closed.  We are unable to post or participate in any of our social media channels during this closure. All National Archives facilities are closed, with the exception of the Federal Records Centers and the Federal Register until the Federal government reopens.