About ASHRAB

National Historical Publications & Records Commission logo

The ASHRAB receives grant support from the National Historical Publications & Records Commission

ASHRAB Documents

  • State Advisory Board Members
  • ASHRAB Meeting Minutes March 1, 2011 (PDF)
  • ASHRAB Meeting Minutes June 15, 2011 (PDF)
  • ASHRAB Meeting Minutes October 26, 2011 (PDF)
  • ASHRAB FAQ
  • ASHRAB Five Year Plan: 2009-2014 (PDF)
  • ASHRAB Brochure (PDF) Printed copies are available at the Alaska State Archives
  • ASHRAB Statewide Library Archives Museum Resolution (PDF)
  • ASHRAB Statewide Library Archives Museum Letter to Governor Parnell (PDF)

What is ASHRAB?

The Alaska State Historical Records Advisory Board (ASHRAB), appointed by the Governor, has the responsibility for reviewing and making recommendations on grant proposals made by Alaskan organizations submitted to the National Commission.

The National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC), administered by the National Archives and Records Administration, was established by Congress to provide funds to agencies, institutions and organizations interested in the preservation and use of historical records.

Within the State of Alaska, this grant program can provide funds for several different kinds of projects that have as their goal the preservation and utilization of Alaska’s documentary heritage.

Mission Statement

The Alaska State Historical Records Advisory Board recognizes that historical records are our priceless legacy, since collecting and preserving Alaska’s documentary heritage is fundamental in understanding our past.

ASHRAB Responsibilities

Advisory Board Responsibilities

The State Advisory Board reviews proposals submitted under the Institutional or Cooperative Projects program, prior to submission to NHPRC. The State Advisory Board is the central advisory body for historical records planning and for projects developed and carried out in Alaska. Specifically, the Board may sponsor and publish surveys of the conditions and needs of historical records in the State; solicit or develop proposals by institutions in the State and make recommendations to NHPRC; and develop, revise, and submit to NHPRC plans for historical records projects in the State which will be financed by NHPRC.

Grant Program Information

The Alaska state archivist is coordinator of the Advisory Board. Individuals and organizations should contact him for additional information regarding the NHPRC grant program; guidelines, restrictions and procedures for grant proposals, and for information on the deadlines for submission of proposals to the State Advisory Board. A detailed guide to the NHPRC records program is available. For further information about grants made by NHPRC, see the NHPRC website or contact the Alaska State Archives directly.

Types of Grants

  1. Survey and Accessioning Projects focus on the location, identification and evaluation of historical records as well as the plans and arrangements necessary for the transfer of these records to appropriate repositories. Example: a survey by an organization whose historical records were dispersed across the State.
  2. Organizations that have materials in need of repair and physical care may apply for grants in the category of Preservation and Reproduction Projects. Besides providing funds for physical care, projects permitted in this category include microfilming or other reproduction of materials too fragile for use.
  3. The Records Use Projects would be of particular interest to repositories that need assistance in preparing collections for use, and in preparing and publishing finding aids, indexes and general guides. These projects are designed to make materials more available for research and reference service.
  4. The development and dissemination of sophisticated preservation and use techniques is the focus of the Archival Techniques Projects.
  5. Feasibility Projects would carry out a detailed feasibility study for more extensive or comprehensive projects in any of the above categories.

Grants may be awarded to individual institutions or to inter-institutional cooperative projects. All of the above grant types may be applied for by single institutions as Institutional Projects, or by more than one institution working together on a Cooperative Project.

The grant program operates with a series of outright grants, matching grants, or combination grants. If you have more questions, please contact us.

Membership Reports

Membership

The board’s members include:

  1. The state archivist, who is the board’s coordinator and principal contact with NHPRC;
  2. The Alaska State Historic Preservation Officer, who acts as coordinator in the absence of the State Archivist;
  3. A representative from the Native community;
  4. A representative of local government;
  5. Four other members who either work with historical records professionally, or who do historical research.

State Archives staff, with the Division of Libraries, Arcvhives, and Museums, provide administrative assistance to the board. ASHRAB has conducted several condition reports of historical records preservation in Alaska. Some of the surveys were supported by grant funds.

Reports

  • 1998: A statistical survey of records facilities throughout Alaska. The survey was part of a nationwide review by the Counsel of State Historical records Coordinators (COSHRC).
  • 1999: A review of education of and training needs of people who keep historical records in Alaska. This was also part of a nationwide COSHRC survey.
  • 1999 The Future of Alaska’s Past (1995-2000), a five-year plans to respond to the needs we have identified. The attached document updates the plan to meet challenges in 2002-2007.

The Future of Alaska’s Past resulted from discussions throughout Alaska over several years. Based on contributions from Alaska’s archival, research, records keeping, and historical communities, it has three purposes:

  1. To focus the State Historical Records Advisory Board’s activities.
  2. To inform the public and state and federal funding agencies about Alaska’s needs.
  3. To call the historical community, and large and small repositories throughout Alaska to coordinated action to preserve the state’s documentary heritage.

The plan’s main elements are goals, objectives and an action agenda. Agenda items establish standards by which the board’s activities can be evaluated and include time estimates for completion.

We hope you will read the plan with interest. Please contact the Alaska State Archives if you have questions or suggestions.

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