The ASG Dept. of Administrative Services Office of Archives and Records Management celebrates the national annual American Archives Month with several activities this month.
This year’s theme is “Conserving Continuity and Change”. The celebration begins with staff members holding a morning street wave in front of McDonald’s in Tafuna Friday, Oct 2nd.
Other events are a High School Student Writing Contest, online Twitter and Facebook activities, new historical displays, weekly Open Houses and a department Halloween.
Territorial Archivist Jim Himphill says, “The purpose of Archives Month is to remind the public that information professionals are essential for government to work. In these critical times, the stewardship and management of information helps in several ways.”
Some examples:
- It supports government effectiveness and transparency – providing officials with data to make informed decisions and avoid mistakes.
- It promotes government transparency and accountability that help reduce government costs. It identifies and protects essential records of citizens, communities, businesses as well as government; ensuring people’s rights to their legal, financial, administrative and historical information and property.
- It develops information technology innovations and research. It provides personal family history and genealogy resources.
- It helps teachers and students learn about democracy and critical historical thinking skills.
- It helps preserve information after a disaster for continuity of government.
“Our profession is therefore considered necessary for good public governance,” said Himphill.
The daily work of American Samoa’s registrars, record keepers, clerks, information technicians, conservators and archivists has therefore been recognized since 2016 and is especially relevant this year during these dangerous times of COVID-19, Political and Racial Unrest, Global Warming and other social problems.
“Consciousness about our work also helps to develop funding, legislate better laws for public resources and access, and to promote digitization and storage of American Samoa’s history and culture,” said Himphill.
Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga has approved a Proclamation request which will be promoted online Twitter (@samoa_am) and by searching “asgdasoarm” on Facebook.
For additional information about Archives Month and its regular services, call or visit in October or explore samoandigitalarchives website and other online locations. 699-6848/54148.
