Northwest Digital Archives—purpose and objectives
purpose
The Northwest Digital Archives (NWDA) provides enhanced access to archival collections and facilitates collaboration among archives, libraries, and museums in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Alaska.
audience
The NWDA database serves a broad and varied researcher audience:
Academic researchers, including students and faculty, in history, American Studies, anthropology, minority group studies, women studies, political science, and literature
K-12 educators and students
Public historians, archaeologists, historic preservationists, and cultural resource managers
Legal and environmental specialists, and others seeking resources relevant to their professional work
Genealogists and community historians
Amateur historians
Internal researchers from members' institutions
objectives
Prescribe standards for and offer training in archival collection processing, description, and Encoded Archival Description (EAD) encoding.
Develop, maintain and evaluate a publicly accessible database of archival finding aids and associated digital content that provides effective searching across institutions and within a member institution's holdings.
Foster and maintain a habit of collaboration among Northwest archives, libraries, and museums that allows participants to address challenges together and build a strong regional identity.
In support of established priorities, communicate and pursue collaboration with other state, regional, and national consortia.