Archiving Toolkit | Finding an Archives

See ArchiveGrid to find archives and collections.

You want your papers kept for the future where they are safe, visible, handy for you and researchers, and in a welcoming setting.

Archives around the country are found in local historical societies, academic libraries, the National Archives, theological seminaries, and LGBTQ centers. Larger institutions have professional staff while others rely on volunteers.

Consider what is important to you in preserving your records.

Pros and Cons of Different Types of Archives

Local Library or Historical Society Archives

PROS	CONS
Easy access by staff and local members	Often smaller with limited resources
Best when organization did its important work locally	Assess enthusiasm for LGBTQ history
Demonstrates the role of LGBTQ community locally	Collection not added to WorldCat
	Collection not added to ArchivesGrid

College or University Archives

List of Academic Archives in your state

PROS	CONS
Easy access by staff and local members	Members may feel uncomfortable on campus
Professional staff; larger budget	Members/users may dislike academic environment
Often better digital preservation	Assess staff enthusiasm for LGBTQ history
Often better digitization of materials for Online Exhibits	Researchers anywhere can find it on WorldCat
	Researchers anywhere can find it on ArchiveGrid

LGBTQ Archives

Find an LGBTQ Archives in your area

PROS	CONS
Enhances organization pride	Collection may be distant from office/members
Builds community pride	May have volunteer staff; less resources
Members and other users feel comfortable	May have lower safety standards
Largest LGBTQ archives have same advantages as college archives	Volunteer run archives may have same disadvantages of small local archives

Denominational Archives

Contact doris@lgbtqreligiousarchives.org for information on specific denominational archives

PROS	CONS
Familiar to staff and local members national records	Assess enthusiasm for saving LGBTQ history
Inserts LGBTQ individuals into church history	Some donors do not trust their papers will be kept or will be "hidden."
Respects attachment to denomination	Some denominations have few resources. Large denominations save only at the national level.
	Collections may not be visible on WorldCat
	Collections may not be visible on ArchiveGrid

Jeffrey Stone, administrator of Dignity New York faced similar questions about finding an archives.

The Black Metropolis Research Consortium documents their criteria for finding the right archives.

Guide to Donating Archival Materials