The Society of American Archivists Museum Archives Section welcomes your comments on a draft of revised Museum Archives Guidelines. These Guidelines have been created by the Section to assist all types of museums in the development and administration of archival programs.

The Guidelines serve several purposes for museum archivists. They demonstrate best practices and essential functions to museum administrations. They justify the role the museum archivist should assume within the institution in order to be successful and the related work that should be undertaken. They also help museum archivists accomplish that work to agreed upon professional standards. It is important to note that museum administrators and staff do not always understand the critical value of the museum archives to the institution and how it should be supported, especially when the museum’s focus is a more-highly valued and appreciated object collection. The Guidelines are a tool that museum archivists can use as they navigate this complex dynamic.