SHRAB: Florida State Historical Records Advisory Board

"The Florida State Historical Records Advisory Board serves the public as the central advisory board for historical records projects and plans and provides leadership and guidance to help ensure the identification, preservation, and use of the state's historical records. It acts as a state-level review body for proposals as defined by the National Historical Records and Publications Commission's grant program guidelines. The Board encourages and supports communications and coordination among the historical records community, information agencies, and the public."

About the SHRAB

The Florida State Historical Records Advisory Board (SHRAB) was created to help implement the goals of the National Historical Publications and Records Commission "to assure the preservation of the nation's documentary heritage through state collaborative efforts [and to] achieve progress in the preservation and use of original source material."

The State Historical Records Advisory Board is composed of eight members and the State Coordinator who are appointed by the governor of Florida. SHRAB members represent a wide range of records custodians and users from government and historical records repositories, public and private archives and libraries, and research organizations throughout the state. Members work to further the use and preservation of Florida's historical records. Board meetings take place three times a year throughout the state, to encourage public participation and foster communication and cooperation among the records community. SHRAB is a member of the Council of State Archivists, the national organization representing SHRABs in each state, the District of Columbia, and the territories of American Samoa, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

The NHPRC

The National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) was created by law to encourage efforts to preserve and make available for use records that further the understanding and appreciation of American history. It supports projects to advance technology related to records, to promote cooperative efforts among institutions and organizations, and to improve the knowledge, performance, and professional skills of those who work with historical records.

The Commission is composed of members appointed from the federal government and various national historical and archival associations. The NHPRC awards various types of financial support grants directly to organizations. The State Historical Records Advisory Boards also act as the "channel" in their state through which funds are distributed. This partnership allows the Board to define the unique needs of Florida's historical records, which can then be addressed through Board support and regrant funds awarded from the Commission.

Funding Priorities

One of the primary functions of the SHRAB is to conduct statewide strategic planning to assess the conditions and needs of historical records programs in the state, which serve as the Board's funding priorities. The following funding priorities are identified in the Board's 2005-2010 Strategic Plan (PDF - 21kb, 3 pgs.):

Level One Priority

For More Information

The Board plans to continue its support of such programs and is committed to meeting the challenges faced by the state's historical records.

To find out more about the Florida State Historical Records Advisory Board, or to receive a copy of the Board's Strategic Plan, please contact the Board Coordinator at the following address:

SHRAB
State Library and Archives of Florida
Mail Station 9A
500 S. Bronough Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0250
Phone: 850.245.6700

Additional information on the National Historical Publications and Records Commission can be obtained by contacting the Commission directly at the following address:

NHPRC
National Archives Building
Washington, DC 20408
(202) 523-5386