Current Plan: January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2026
Adopted October 27, 2023
The Ohio Historical Records Advisory Board’s (OHRAB) mission is to serve the people of Ohio by advocating, nurturing, and advising programs that identify, preserve, and provide access to their documentary heritage, which enriches the culture and protects the rights of Ohioans.
In order to fulfill that mission, OHRAB has developed a strategic plan to guide its endeavors for the next three years. This plan focuses on key areas where members believe OHRAB can make the most significant impact. The goals, objectives, and actions outlined in the plan will build on past achievements and address areas where more concentrated efforts are needed. Annual reviews will allow OHRAB to revise and refine the plan and reevaluate priorities.
Goal 1. Increase citizen engagement with Ohio’s historical records.
Objective: Strengthen statewide awareness and support of Ohio’s historical records and archival collections, including records documenting diverse and under-represented communities.
Action 1: Use OHRAB’s website and social media to publicize institutions, grant recipients and projects undertaken to enhance access and preservation of historical records.
Action 2: Promote Ohio’s History Day by encouraging and supporting the use of primary sources in Ohio’s classrooms. Present an award(s) for the best use of Ohio’s historical records in a History Day project.
Action 3: Promote and recognize the achievements of archival volunteers with the Ohio Citizen Archivist award program.
Action 4: Present OHRAB Achievement Awards recognizing archival programs that have made significant achievements in the management, preservation, access, advocacy and use of Ohio historical records. Encourage Achievement Award recipients to capitalize on their award through the promotion of their archives.
Action 5: Sponsor and provide training to increase citizens’ awareness and use of historical record collections and institutions. Collaborate with other Ohio professional groups to create training for records custodians.
Action 6: Promote and encourage the awareness and use of materials documenting under-represented Ohioans by sponsoring a fellowship to locate overlooked resources, such as manumission records.
Action 7: Collaborate with the Ohio Commission for the U.S. Semiquincentennial to promote U.S. 250th anniversary activities across the State of Ohio and highlight the stories found in Ohio’s historical records.
Goal 2. Promote reliable and sustainable investment in Ohio’s records in all formats throughout their life cycle.
Objective 1: Advocate for long-term management, preservation and access to Ohio’s records.
Action 1: Work with the State Archives and other Ohio professional groups on best practices for records management and preservation.
Action 2: Educate state and local officials and the public about the benefits of well-funded records management and preservation programs. Use opportunities, such as Statehood Day, to advocate with public officials for robust records access, management and preservation.
Objective 2: Educate citizens, lawmakers, public officials and other stakeholders about the necessity of electronic records preservation.
Action 1:Develop educational materials to be distributed by board members at conferences and meetings to make citizens, lawmakers, public officials and other stakeholders aware of the threats to their electronic records.
Action 2: Collaborate with Ohio professional groups and other subject matter experts to provide education about the challenges of electronic records management and preservation.
Goal 3. Foster the advancement of historical records preservation and access in Ohio’s repositories.
Objective 1: Work to increase the number and quality of grant applications to the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) from Ohio’s repositories.
Action 1: Promote and share information about NHPRC grant opportunities.
Action 2: Encourage prospective grant applicants to contact OHRAB for advice and recommendations prior to submitting applications to the NHPRC.
Objective 2: Seek funding for historical records preservation and access in Ohio repositories.
Action 1: Promote and administer a re-grant program for projects that improve the preservation of and access to Ohio historical records.
Action 2: Provide grant guidance through mentoring and educational programs.
Action 3: Provide scholarships to records professionals for educational and networking opportunities.