The primary goal is to preserve the archival materials housed at the Lithuanian Research Center, to share information with the Lithuanian diaspora about the collections already available, and to identify ways to safeguard diaspora archives, make them accessible to the public, and improve the dissemination of information through archival institutions both in the United States and abroad. This is why we are working to consolidate the LAC archives under one roof — in this case, at the Lithuanian Research Center. We are also actively seeking financial resources that would allow us to expand the existing facilities and accommodate a larger number of individuals interested in studying or preparing for archival research.

These needs became especially pronounced over the course of 2023. The number of archival transfers to the Lithuanian Research Center increased significantly. Many individuals, organizations, and LAC members have been reaching out directly to the Center, delivering, sending, or inviting staff to collect archival materials in an effort to preserve and safeguard them. This demonstrates that our mission to protect Lithuanian heritage has regained strong resonance. The ongoing communication and consistent informational work in the archival field are yielding positive results. 

What We Do — we develop plans and projects, and organize conferences, lectures, and meetings in coordination with both the Lithuanian Research Center and the LAC National Executive Committee. The large volume of archival material housed at the Lithuanian Research Center often calls for special projects, many of which align with the commemorative years officially recognized in Lithuania. The diaspora follows these themes closely and adjusts its own lecture series accordingly to reflect the anniversaries being marked.

Participation in international conferences on behalf of the Lithuanian American Community gives us the opportunity to deliver presentations, build connections, seek financial support, invite collaboration, share information, and contribute our expertise. This demonstrates that archival work is — and will remain — important not only to the diaspora, but to every Lithuanian, both in the United States and beyond. Photographs from archival conferences in Vilnius, Kaunas, and here in the diaspora illustrate the LAC Vice Chair’s ongoing cooperation with the Office of the Chief Archivist of Lithuania, the Central State Archives, and the Regional State Archives.