David S. Ferriero, archivist of the United States, will give a lecture “Protecting National Security in an Open Government Environment: the Role of the National Archives,” on Monday, March 28, at 4 p.m. in the Public Events Room (Room 220), Eggers Hall. The lecture is sponsored by the History Department, , the iSchool and the Institute for National Security and Counterterrorism ().
In describing the substance of his lecture, Ferriero says, “All research institutions have to strike a difficult balance between providing as much access as possible and safeguarding the collections. If the materials are inaccessible, we cannot learn from them. If we do not do our best to make them secure, we run the risk of items disappearing from our cultural and historical legacy.”
Ferriero, the 10th archivist of the United States, was appointed by President Barack Obama and sworn in on Nov. 13, 2009. Prior to his confirmation as archivist, Ferriero was the Andrew W. Mellon Director of the New York Public Libraries where he was in charge of collection strategy; conservation; digital experience; reference and research services; and education, programming, and exhibitions. Before joining the NYPL in 2004, Ferriero served in top positions at two of the nation’s major academic libraries—the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Mass., and Duke University in Durham, N.C.. In those positions, he led major initiatives including the expansion of facilities, the adoption of digital technologies and a reengineering of printing and publications.
Ferriero earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in English literature from Northeastern University in Boston, and a master’s degree from the Simmons College Graduate School of Library and Information Science, also in Boston.
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) safeguards and preserves the records of the U.S. government, ensuring that the people can discover, use and learn from this documentary heritage. NARA ensures continuing access to the essential documentation of the rights of American citizens and the actions of their government.
