The Academy of Certified Archivists announces the publication of the revised Role Delineation Statement and the 2025 Reading List to study for the 2025 Certification Examination.  

From 2023-2024, a group of subject matter experts and certified archivists reviewed the Role Delineation Statement (RDS) and used this to conduct a nationwide job analysis survey to assess the skills and responsibilities that comprise archival work. The results of the job analysis now comprise the revised RDS. Overall, the survey reinforced areas of practice and theory that continue to be of primary importance to the profession and identified areas that reflect new and emerging practices, such as metadata remediation. The ACA will share fuller insights about the survey results in 2025. 

The revised RDS outlines the framework for the certification examination. The Reading List is comprised of articles, books, standards, and other publications that directly relate to the tasks and knowledge statements of the eight domains. Examination questions come directly from the literature. The Reading List is organized by type of publication with notations of all the domains a source covers. Many sources cover more than one domain, and the Exam Development Committee hopes this format helps guide your studying. When available, there is a link to an open access version. 

Questions about the Role Delineation Statement, Reading List, or other about the examination can be directed to examdevelopment@certifiedarchivists.org. Questions about registering to take the examination can be directed to examadmin@certifiedarchivists.org.  

The Academy of Certified Archivists (ACA) is proud to announce that we have signed an agreement with VoLT Management Services LLC (VoLT) to become ACA’s new association management company, effective January 1, 2025. VoLT’s goal is “to become the preeminent management firm specializing in the expert administration of records management, information management, and archival organizations.” The transition will lead to a stronger customer service experience for CAs.

ACA thanks CapHill Management Services for their many yers of support. ACA welcomes Johnny Hadlock, CEO, of VoLT to the team. ACA joins the National Association of Government Archives and Records Administrators (NAGARA), and the National Network of Nonprofit Search Consultants (NNSC) as clients of VoLT. ACA will be setting up a few “get to know VoLT” events in early 2025.

The ACA Board has ensured a sufficient transition timeline and our Certified Archivists should experience little disruption during this transition process.

What will change: 

• The ACA mailing address will change to a Washington, DC address; 

What will NOT change:

• ACA email addresses, @certifiedarchivists.org will remain the same, please continue to use the emails to contact the Board. Johnny will be reachable at the office@certifiedarchivists.org
• ACA website, www.certifiedarchivists.org will remain the same
• Recertification will remain through Prolydian, managed through our contract with Prolydian will remain in place for the transition and beyond. 
• ACA exam, exam application, and exam design remain with the Regent for Exam Development, Exam Development Committee, and be administered through Prolydian and by proctors online.
• Dues will continue to be paid through Prolydian. If you’ve received this email and haven’t paid your 2024 dues, now is a great time to reach out.

Huge thanks to the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 ACA Boards for their work to support this move.

If you have questions or comments, please reach out to me directly: dara@certifiedarchivists.org.

Dara A. Baker

President, Academy of Certified Archivists

2024-2025

We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Nancy Melley for her participation in the November ACA Archives Salon. Nancy generously provided insights into the history and application process for National Historical Publications & Records Commission (NHPRC) grants, as well as offering valuable tips on developing successful grant applications. She is currently looking for reviewers for the current grant cycle. If you are interested in reviewing NHPRC grant applications from late December through early February, please contact Nancy at nancy.melley@nara.gov. This important work will contribute to your CA recertification points.

Improve your archives grant knowledge base with Nancy Melley, Director of Access Programs, NHPRC

NHPRC, the grant-making body of the National Archives, has five programs with annual or semi-annual application deadlines. During this presentation attendees will hear a short history of the NHPRC, an overview of its programs, and gain insights into the grant application process. CAs with have the chance to engage Nancy in conversation about her work, NHPRC grants, and the NHPRC process. 

SAVE THE DATE: Monday, November 18th from 6:00-7:00PM EST

Zoom Information:

Topic: Learn more about NHPRC from fellow CA, Nancy Melley, Director for Access Programs
Time: Nov 18, 2024 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88572358584?pwd=Hkesr9nmHT4PDIuUVH149JIDHfnW5D.1

Meeting ID: 885 7235 8584
Passcode: 286752

On behalf of the ACA Nominating Committee I am pleased to announce the newly elected members of the ACA leadership!

• Vice-President/President-Elect
  • Stephanie Bayless, CA 
• Treasurer
  • Mary McRobinson, CA
• Regent for Exam Development
  • Cheryl Oestreicher, CA
• Regent for Outreach
  • Dina Mazina, CA
• Nominations Committee Member
  • Kristy Martin, CA

Each year we welcome new board members to our leadership team. We couldn’t do this without all of you who agreed to run as candidates. Thank you so much for considering these board roles and lending your expertise and energy to the Academy and all Certified Archivists! Thank you also to the members who engaged in the process.

Congratulations to our new board members!

ACA Nominating Committee: Emily Hughes Dominick, CA; Ann Abney, CA; Yayoi Tsutsui, CA; Rachael Bussert, CA