Archival Needs Assessment Guidelines and Template

Publication No. 59
Formerly OTR21
Revised March 2001

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Public or private organizations (governments, historical societies, libraries, not-for-profits, businesses, schools) undertake needs assessments to evaluate and plan for archival program development. A comprehensive needs assessment can pinpoint problems, recommend solutions, set priorities, and guide the development of archival activity. These guidelines will provide anyone conducting a needs assessment with the necessary information to develop a sound, practical planning tool for archival program development.