iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Chicago Collections @chicollections.bsky.social · 2h

"Ill-conceived" is the mildest way to put this. A closure would be punitive and disastrous.

Chicago Collections @chicollections.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Please be concerned about the lack of communication regarding the closure of the National Archives at Chicago. We think this notice went up yesterday for the move of a collection in just two weeks. NARA is only just now holding Tribal Consultations too.

Move of Records of the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), Record Group (RG) 184
All RRB records (RG 184) at the National Archives of Chicago will be temporarily closed to prepare for relocation to the National Archives at Boston.

We estimate that these records will close on October 13, 2026, and be available to researchers at the National Archives at Boston on January 15, 2027.

You can check the status of the records by contacting the National Archives at Boston via email: boston.archives@nara.gov.

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The Newberry @newberrylibrary.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Does your congregation, community organization, or activist group have boxes of photos, newsletters, meeting minutes, flyers, or other records tucked away? Those materials may hold stories worth preserving! Join us for a free training: www.newberry.org/calendar/bey... @chicollections.bsky.social

newberry.org

Beyond Belief Community Archival Training Workshop, Part 1 / Taller…

Practical, hands-on training to help communities preserve the records that tell their stories / Capacitación práctica y de participación activa para…

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Chicago Collections @chicollections.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Happy to be celebrating member Gerber/Hart’s 45th anniversary tonight!

Sign with Gerber-Hart Library
Ring Bell at Door on Right

Sign saying On the Move documenting Gerber Hart locations

Published material from the Gerber Hart collection

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The Newberry @newberrylibrary.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Are you curious about how archives could take your research to the next level? Learn the fundamentals of using archives, what kinds of materials you can expect to find, and develop confidence in research strategies. Taught by our Manuscripts and Archive Librarian! @chicollections.bsky.social

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Chicago Collections @chicollections.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

A WFH day to use car insurance so I don’t get kicked off it (that’s how this works now, right?) means sharing space with a coworker

A tuxedo cat is very close to a laptop displaying an image from our member, the Nature Museum

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Chicago Collections @chicollections.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

We had the best time last night with host @chipublib.bsky.social and Society of Midland Authors, hearing from LEGENDS Dick Simpson and David Orr with thoughtful questions from Paul Durica as we listened to clips from the City Council Audio Archives explore.chicagocollections.org/marcxml/city...

explore.chicagocollections.org

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Chicago Collections @chicollections.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Listen to the original City Council meeting in December 2008 over the sale of the parking meters courtesy of member Office of the City Clerk: archive.org/details/chic...

archive.org

Chicago City Council Meeting Audio Recording, 2008 December 4

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Digital Newberry @digitalnewberry.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Ready for Labor Day weekend? Americans a century ago had postcards for that. These ca. 1910 Labor Day cards celebrate workers with eagles, anvils, cornucopias, flags—and some truly strenuous typography. Happy Labor Day weekend from the Newberry! collections.newberry.org/C.aspx?VP3=D...

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The Organization of American Historians @oah.org · 02/09/2026

The National Archives and Records Administration holds the receipts of the federal government. The planned Chicago and San Francisco regional closures will scatter the records, impacting historians, genealogists, veterans, researchers, and community members. ow.ly/swpZ50ZH30J.

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Chicago Collections @chicollections.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

This is a must watch, laying out what's at stake. And we call bullshit on this statement "These closures address the growing volume of underutilized space resulting from the federal government's transition to electronic recordkeeping." A fraction of the materials are digitized.

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WBEZ @wbez.org · 25/08/2026

Amid a wave of cultural organizing in Chicago, the contract comes after the National Labor Relations Board found the museum’s previous leadership retaliated against staff for unionizing.

wbez.org

Chicago History Museum workers ratify first union contract

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Chicago Collections @chicollections.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

There’s always that one coworker. . .

A tuxedo cat with images of other cats from the ECC portal behind him

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Chicago Collections @chicollections.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Nothing like being on a NB train that just left Wilson and hearing that Belmont is the next stop. We all have WTF faces.

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Chicago Collections @chicollections.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Listen to every single word about the gutting of the National Archives #nara #nationalarchives

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Chicago Collections @chicollections.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

If you're calling your reps to protest the closure of the National Archives, reference this excellent article! I did!

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Chicago Collections @chicollections.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

The Bud Billiken parade was last Saturday, a signal that summer's over and it's back to school. We love this image from member UIC with Truman, Sengstacke (Defender publisher, sponsor of the parade) and RJD. 70 years ago!

Former President Harry S. Truman, John H. Sengstacke of the Chicago Defender, and Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley riding in an open car during the Bud Billiken Parade, 1956. Image from UIC

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Chicago Collections @chicollections.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

A powerful statement asking all the important questions from the United International Indigenous Nations. Thanks @formidablegen.bsky.social!

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Chicago Collections @chicollections.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Start following @formidablegen.bsky.social for her series on what's at stake if National Archives locations close. This is one of many ⬇️

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Chicago Collections @chicollections.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

This is an excellent read which emphasizes not only the material in the National Archives at Chicago but the archivists who help researchers navigate them.

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Rep. Chuy García @chuygarcia.house.gov · 30/07/2026

I oppose the closing of the National Archives facility in Chicago. The lack of transparency surrounding this decision has only deepened the loss it would represent for researchers, historians, dedicated employees, and our community. I urge the National Archives to reconsider this decision.

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Chicago Collections @chicollections.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

So 6 years after COVID a party that is allergic to and seeks to suppress history is grilling Dr. Fauci. Do not let them close the National Archives in Chicago and remove the records to a less accessible location. See what action @chicagoarchivists.bsky.social's are taking: www.chicagoarchivists.org

chicagoarchivists.org

Chicago Area Archivists - Home

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Chicago Collections @chicollections.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

As always @robertloerzel.bsky.social understands the implications of loss of access to historical materials. Thanks, Robert!

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Cheryl Ziegler @bibliographix1.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Thank you to the incomparable Jonathan Eig for your support! “America is nothing without its history, and NARA is the keeper of our history. Over and over again, they help to remind us who we are as Americans. They help us discover our history and ourselves."

MEDIA CONTACT:
info@chicagoarchivists.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 20, 2026
Pulitzer Prize Winner Jonathan Eig Joins Chicago Area Archivists in Concern Over Closure of Regional NARA Facility
Chicago, IL – Pulitzer Prize winning author Jonathan Eig made the following statement when learning from Chicago Area Archivists of plans by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) to close the National Archives at Chicago facility and the co-located Chicago Federal Records Center:
“America is nothing without its history, and NARA is the keeper of our history. Local NARA facilities like the one in Chicago help preserve and enrich our national identity. Over and over again, they help to remind us who we are as Americans. They help us discover our history and ourselves. I’ve relied heavily on the Chicago NARA facility for my research. In fact, when I discovered thousands of pages of federal records from the federal government’s investigation of Al Capone sitting in liquor-store boxes in Nebraska, I purchased them and donated them to the NARA facility in Chicago, where they have since been available for all the world to see. To paraphrase Faulkner, the past is never dead; it’s not even past; it’s sitting in boxes waiting for us to dig through it, scan it on our cellphones, and usher it from the present to the future. But, of course, that only works if we continue to be responsible caretakers of our history. Our country’s future depends on it.”
—Jonathan Eig, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for biography and author of King: A Life, Ali: A Life, Get Capone, and other books
Mr. Eig’s remarks underscore the importance of CAA’s Call to Action to keep the National Archives at Chicago open and accessible for historians and all citizens. With more than 140,000 cubic feet of irreplaceable permanent records from 85 federal agencies across Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin, the

collection documents the entire history of the Great Lakes region and its people—from records of momentous and historically significant events to routine paperwork that some citizens need to access in order to prove citizenship, obtain Medicare, receive other government benefits, and beyond.
What can you do?
1. Call, Text and/or Email Your Representatives
Use some of the language above to let them know what's going on and ask them to get involved to stop this closure.
● Find your representative: www.house.gov/representatives
● Find your senators: https://www.senate.gov/senators
2. Email NARA Leadership
Tell them you know about the intended closure, how it doesn't align with NARA's stated mission and that you are concerned.
● Ed Forst, Acting Archivist of the United States (Head and chief administrator)
● Jay Trainer, Chief Operating Officer
● Chris Naylor, Executive for Research Services
● Corey Cooke, Acting Chief of Staff
3. Tell our State Leadership
Let them know they need to intervene now before local records and knowledge are lost.
● Kwame Raoul, Office of the Illinois Attorney General - (312) 814-3000 (Chicago office)
● Alexi Giannoulias, Office of the Secretary of State - 800-252-8980 (toll free in Illinois); 217-785-3000 (outside Illinois)
4. Sign the Chicago Petition
● https://www.change.org/savechicagoarchives
Since 1982, Chicago Area Archivists (CAA) has provided opportunities for local archivists, historians, librarians and others in the Chicago metro area to meet together

for discussion, social interaction, and education. Our membership includes archivists, librarians, and records managers in academic, corporate, governmental, institutional, library, and museum settings. Our goals are to share information on issues of interest to the local archival community, to advocate for preservation of and access to historically valuable resources related to the Chicago area, and to keep members informed about archival programs and resources
https://www.chicagoarchivists.org, info@chicagoarchivists.org

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Chicago Collections @chicollections.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Powerful discussion with @chicagoarchivists.bsky.social on @wbez.org's In the Loop this morning. Listen when it's posted but sharing some highlights here in a thread. This is regarding the closure of NARA in Chicago. 1/n

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Chicago Collections @chicollections.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Special Olympics records are at member @chicagomuseum.bsky.social explore.chicagocollections.org/ead/chicagoh...

explore.chicagocollections.org

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Chicago Collections @chicollections.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Thrilled to see that the Stop the Closure of the National Archives at Chicago petition is at 1000+ signatures! Please sign AND take the actions outlined in the petition. Let your reps and those in power know how important this issue is. www.change.org/p/stop-the-c...

change.org

Sign the Petition

Stop the Closure of the National Archives at Chicago!

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Chicago Collections @chicollections.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

Regarding the closure of NARA in Chicago, besides signing the petition, there is MORE you can do! Action items from @chicagoarchivists.bsky.social are here: www.chicagoarchivists.org/NARAClosures...

chicagoarchivists.org

TAKE ACTION TO PREVENT NARA CLOSURES

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Chicago Collections @chicollections.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

Day 2 of the petition to stop the closure of the National Archives. It’s at 450 signatures but we can do better! This is for HISTORY, people! Sign today! www.change.org/p/stop-the-c...

change.org

Sign the Petition

Stop the Closure of the National Archives at Chicago!

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Chicago Collections @chicollections.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

The petition was at double digits this morning and as of 3pm today, it's at 184. I know we can get it to over 200 today! Sign!

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Prisonculture @prisonculture.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

I do think that it's important to read history. It doesn't tell you what to do in the present but at least you know what came before so it can help you ask better questions of the present.

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Chicago Collections @chicollections.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

This will test how many CARLI members we know on Bluesky! If that's you, register to hear us talk about CCC on 7/15 at 10 am CDT: www.carli.illinois.edu/digital-poss...

carli.illinois.edu

Digital Possibilities Series: Meet the Chicago Collections Consortium and Revs Institute | CARLI

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Chicago Collections @chicollections.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

Looking forward to seeing this exhibit in honor of the Black Metropolis Research Consortium's 20th anniversary

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Chicago Collections @chicollections.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

One of our favorite Chicago historians! Congratulations, Dominic!

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