2024 NAGARA Annual Conference

Archives | Records | Information
2024 NAGARA Annual Conference logo
Conference Overview
The 2024 NAGARA Annual Conference took place in the vibrant city of Atlanta, Georgia, a city renowned for its rich history. This week-long event offered attendees an extraordinary opportunity to come together as a profession, rekindle their imaginations, and advance their collective goals. The conference brought together the past, present, and future of government archives, records, and information management.
Attendees had the pleasure of immersing themselves in a world of knowledge, networking, and inspiration. With a sold-out crowd of 423 participants (an all-time high), the conference celebrated 40 years of NAGARA's dedication to the profession. The event was marked by a shared passion for government archives and information management, underscoring the importance of safeguarding and providing access to publicly owned information in a rapidly evolving landscape.
The event offered a diverse array of learning opportunities, including over 30 concurrent sessions and 3 General Sessions, spanning across 2.5 days. These sessions allowed attendees to explore topics that were most relevant to their interests and professional growth.
Audio recordings of each session, along with the presenters' PowerPoint presentations, are available below to all active NAGARA members.
Overall, the 2024 NAGARA Annual Conference was an unforgettable week of learning, networking, and celebration, leaving attendees inspired and informed.
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2024 NAGARA Annual Conference
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Opening General Session

Posted on 7/17/2024
(AC24 SESSION) Kick off the conference with breakfast, welcome remarks, and a keynote from White House Records Director Philip Droege on the unique challenges of managing presidential records…(READ MORE)

  

Annual Business Meeting

Posted on 7/17/2024
(AC24 SESSION) NAGARA’s Annual Business Meeting presents financial reports and association updates, invites member feedback, and announces election results as the new Board begins its term…(READ MORE)

  

Annual Awards Luncheon

Posted on 7/17/2024
(AC24 SESSION) Celebrate NAGARA’s annual award recipients over a Georgia-inspired luncheon, followed by keynote Meredith Evans on the purpose and future of presidential libraries and public access…(READ MORE)

  

Second Day General Session

Posted on 7/17/2024
(AC24 SESSION) Enjoy breakfast and a 40th anniversary celebration before a keynote from Daytona Beach City Manager Deric Feacher on leading effectively from any role, energizing attendees for day two…(READ MORE)

  

Session 01 - Intersection of Archives, FOIA and RM (Part 1/3)

Posted on 7/17/2024
(AC24 SESSION) Explore how Archives, FOIA, and Records Management intersect, breaking down silos to improve collaboration, ease workloads, and equip all levels of government with practical tools…(READ MORE)

  

Session 02 - A Lever Long Enough

Posted on 7/17/2024
(AC24 SESSION) Oregon’s State Archives shares a practical roadmap for implementing role-based retention in M365, with lessons, tools, and methods to manage high-volume electronic communications across government…(READ MORE)

  

Session 03 - Bringing Diversity to Records Management and Archives Staffing

Posted on 7/17/2024
(AC24 SESSION) Rethink hiring in records and archives by moving beyond degree requirements, expanding pathways, and embracing diverse skills to build a more inclusive, effective workforce…(READ MORE)

  

Session 04 - Discovering Your Data’s Possibilities

Posted on 7/17/2024
(AC24 SESSION) Learn how to unlock unstructured archives data by building a structured foundation that improves services, supports AI use, strengthens security, and drives ROI for government…(READ MORE)

  

Session 05 - Effective Records Management is the Backbone of A Healthy... (Part 2 of 3)

Posted on 7/17/2024
ChatGPT said: (AC24 SESSION) Learn how strong records management underpins effective FOIA response, helping agencies improve access, collaboration, and outcomes while understanding downstream impacts and benefits…(READ MORE)

  

Session 06 - Let’s Put It to Bed

Posted on 7/17/2024
(AC24 SESSION) Discover how USFWS retired its legacy Lotus Notes system while preserving essential emails for FOIA and legal needs, offering practical steps, challenges, and lessons for outdated databases…(READ MORE)

  

Session 07 - Reestablishing Navy Archives

Posted on 7/17/2024
(AC24 SESSION) Explore how Navy Archives rebuilt staffing, relocated 27,000 feet of records, and reset strategy to strengthen operations and leadership across federal archives management…(READ MORE)

  

Session 08 - Other Duties as Assigned

Posted on 7/17/2024
(AC24 SESSION) Learn how New Orleans City Archives handles unexpected “other duties” with DIY, adaptive workflows in an understaffed municipal setting, offering practical tips for unique projects…(READ MORE)

  

Session 09 - Exploring New Ways to Transfer, Preserve, and Publish Your Public Records

Posted on 7/17/2024
(AC24 SESSION) Explore solutions helping government and archives teams streamline records transfer and preservation amid rising requests, using case studies on automation, M365, and scalable access…(READ MORE)

  

Session 10 - The Office of Government Information Services (Part 3 of 3)

Posted on 7/17/2024
(AC24 SESSION) Learn how OGIS supports FOIA by improving access to federal records, resolving disputes, and helping agencies balance transparency with required protections for sensitive information…(READ MORE)

  

Session 11 - Diversity and Community in Local Government Archives

Posted on 7/17/2024
(AC24 SESSION) See how King County Archives embedded DEI into every aspect of its work, transforming a local government archive into a community-focused, accessible public service model…(READ MORE)

  

Session 12 - Measuring RIM Compliance

Posted on 7/17/2024
(AC24 SESSION) Learn a practical framework for agency-wide RIM compliance led by a staff of one, focusing on clear roles, supportive reviews—not audits—and tools to address gaps while maintaining trust…(READ MORE)

  

Session 13 - AI Tools for Improving Access and Discovery with Archival Collections

Posted on 7/17/2024
(AC24 SESSION) Get a nontechnical introduction to AI tools for archives, with real use cases showing how AI can describe, analyze, and reveal new connections in collections to improve discovery…(READ MORE)

  

Session 14 - Digitizing Your Archival Materials

Posted on 7/18/2024
(AC24 SESSION) Learn how to assess collections and define scope for digitization, from estimating volume to standards and metadata, to confidently launch effective digital access projects…(READ MORE)

  

Session 15 - The Archivist Awakens

Posted on 7/18/2024
(AC24 SESSION) Explore how Marine Corps Archives is digitizing 30,000 oral histories and 6,000 diverse collections, tackling legacy formats, workflows, and storage to preserve and provide access to historic materials…(READ MORE)

  

Session 16 - Human Services Records

Posted on 7/18/2024
(AC24 SESSION) Learn how Denver Human Services transformed hybrid, high-risk client files into a streamlined purge program after a crisis, offering a scalable framework and lessons for large-volume destruction efforts…(READ MORE)

  

Session 17 - Emergency Preparedness for Archivists and Records Managers

Posted on 7/18/2024
(AC24 SESSION) Gain practical emergency preparedness guidance for archivists and records managers, covering essential records protection, continuity planning, risk mitigation, and readiness resources to build resilience…(READ MORE)

  

Session 18 - Workflows and Tools for the Future of Public Record Request Management

Posted on 7/18/2024
(AC24 SESSION) Discover emerging workflows and tools to manage rising, complex public record requests—from FOIA weaponization to video and collaboration—using real case studies to guide future strategies…(READ MORE)

  

Session 19 - Records Management Resurgence

Posted on 7/18/2024
(AC24 SESSION) Learn strategies to build support for under-resourced RIM programs through outreach, partnerships, and education, with insights from diverse institutions on demonstrating value and culture fit…(READ MORE)

  

Session 20 - ICRM Certification Panel: Becoming a Certified Records Analyst/Manager

Posted on 7/18/2024
(AC24 SESSION) Hear CRMs and CRAs share certification paths, exam insights, career benefits, and guidance on pursuing ICRM credentials, with Q&A for those considering certification…(READ MORE)

  

Session 21 - Integrating NARA

Posted on 7/18/2024
(AC24 SESSION) Learn how NARA advances electronic records lifecycle management through transfer guidance, preservation frameworks, and open-source tools, with discussion on planning and reducing risks…(READ MORE)

  

Session 22 - Election Season: Let's Get Ready to Gruuumble!

Posted on 7/18/2024
(AC24 SESSION) Learn how Next Request and social media archiving strengthen transparency, compliance, and communication during an election year in this live, practical session…(READ MORE)

  

Session 22 - Election Season: Let's Get Ready to Gruuumble!

Posted on 7/18/2024
(AC24 SESSION) Learn how Next Request and social media archiving strengthen transparency, compliance, and communication during an election year in this live, practical session…(READ MORE)

  

Session 23 - Team Building through Policy Writing

Posted on 7/18/2024
(AC24 SESSION) How King County Archives turned a lack of policies into a collaborative rewrite, creating new workflows and faster service while building shared vision and stability...(READ MORE)

  

Session 24 - When It Challenges Us to Do Our Work

Posted on 7/18/2024
(AC24 SESSION) Explore how archivists navigate sensitive and shifting records—balancing ethical access, difficult content, and changing governance priorities to support responsible stewardship…(READ MORE)

  

Session 25 - Deep in Hearts (and Minds) of Texas

Posted on 7/18/2024
(AC24 SESSION) A case study of The Texas Record blog, revealing strategies that keep government staff engaged in records management and inspire stronger online outreach and communication efforts…(READ MORE)

  

Session 26 - Digitizing Permanent Federal Records

Posted on 7/18/2024
(AC24 SESSION) Learn what NARA’s M-23-07 digitization mandate means, why FADGI standards matter, and how to avoid compliance and legal risks when converting permanent federal records…(READ MORE)

  

Session 27 - NARA Policy Overview

Posted on 7/19/2024
(AC24 SESSION) Explore NARA’s latest guidance on collaboration platforms, Capstone for electronic messages, and digitizing permanent records, with insight on development, impact, and practical use beyond federal agencies…(READ MORE)

  

Session 28 - Perspectives on Managing Records in Microsoft 365

Posted on 7/19/2024
(AC24 SESSION) A multi-level panel shares real-world lessons on implementing Microsoft 365 records management across government, covering challenges, successes, and practical strategies for managing records in place…(READ MORE)

  

Session 29 - Your Tools, Their Success

Posted on 7/19/2024
(AC24 SESSION) Learn how Rhode Island transformed internal weaknesses into streamlined policies and workflows by leveraging existing tools to improve records management, user support, and cross-agency efficiency…(READ MORE)

  

Session 30 - Weeding through the Restrictions

Posted on 7/19/2024
(AC24 SESSION) Explore lessons from a grant-funded effort to manage a legally sensitive collection, navigate stakeholder challenges, and apply practical methods for complex restricted records and workflows…(READ MORE)

  

Session 31 - Removing Barriers to Access by Eliminating Fees

Posted on 7/19/2024
(AC24 SESSION) Learn how the Oregon State Archives reduced and removed fees to expand access, address inequity, and guide institutions in rethinking cost barriers through research and policy change…(READ MORE)

  

Session 32 - Developing a Critical Records Program

Posted on 7/19/2024
(AC24 SESSION) Learn how Indiana developed a modern Critical Records Program to help government offices protect essential records, support continuity, and apply practical preservation and guidance strategies…(READ MORE)

  

Session 33 - Digitizing Archives for Public Information Requests

Posted on 7/19/2024
(AC24 SESSION) Discover how TxDOT is digitizing 1M+ historical records to improve access, streamline public requests, and manage large-scale imaging and change using modern tools and collaboration…(READ MORE)