Save the Date for the 2011 Smithsonian Archives Fair

October is just around the corner, and that means that American Archives Month is quickly approaching. American Archives Month is a time to celebrate the importance of archives across the country, and the Smithsonian will be honoring the month with a variety of activities, including our second annual Smithsonian Archives Fair, which is free and open to the public, and will be held on Friday, October 14th from 10am to 5pm, in the S. Dillon Ripley Center’s concourse located at 1100 Jefferson Drive SW on the National Mall in Washington, DC.

The Archives Fair will highlight vast collections of archival and historical records at the Smithsonian. Staff from over a dozen different archival units, including the Smithsonian Institution Archives, will be on hand to showcase some of the Smithsonian’s archival treasures as well as current projects and programs. A lecture series (check out last year’s lecture series here) throughout the day will spotlight the infinite number of stories waiting to be told through the Smithsonian’s archives. All information about the event is on the Smithsonian Archives Month website.

Finally, we will reprise last year’s “Ask the Smithsonian” program in which fair attendees will be able to consult with Smithsonian experts including archivists, conservators, and librarians on how to better care for their own archives-worthy items. Note that the “Ask the Smithsonian” program is free, but requires preregistration—see the ticket registration form below.

So, save the date on your calendar, and share this information with your colleagues and friends. And stay tuned here for more updates on Archives Month activities across the Smithsonian.