About Us

The Archives Association of Ontario (AAO) is a network of archives and archivists providing programs, education, advocacy and shared knowledge. Consisting of approximately 300 members, the AAO supports and promotes the work of archivists in preserving the history and culture of Ontario and its citizens. It was established in 1993 as a result of the amalgamation of the Ontario Association of Archivists and the Ontario Council of Archives.  

What we do 

The AAO promotes the development of a co-operative system of archives in Ontario by:

• Advocating on behalf of Ontario’s archival community to the government of Ontario, local government and other provincial institutions in order to advance archival practice and promote the value of archives

• Promoting professional standards, procedures and practices among archival repositories

• Facilitating archival communication and cooperation among institutions, users and sponsors

• Providing leadership through communication and co-operation with individuals, groups and associations interested in the preservation and use of Ontario's documentary heritage

• Being part of a network of provincial, territorial and national archives associations
  

Additionally, the AAO offers a number of different services to its members, including:

• Guidelines for starting and managing an archives through the advisory services of the AAO Archives Advisor and Archeion Coordinator

• Educational opportunities through professional development and web resources

• Opportunities for members to make professional connections 

• Archeion, a database containing archival descriptions and digital objects from AAO member institutions

Vision and Mission Statements

The Mission Statement of the AAO was created at the Leadership Meeting in October 2012. A Vision Statement was added and the Mission Statement updated statement was passed in 2019: “The Archives Association of Ontario (AAO) will be Ontario’s foremost network to support the province’s archives, heritage, and records institutions and information professionals.”

Vision statement

The Archives Association of Ontario (AAO) will be Ontario’s foremost network to support the province’s archives, heritage, and records institutions and information professionals.

Mandate statement

The Archives Association of Ontario (AAO) is a network dedicated to furthering the education of Ontario’s records and information professionals and advocating for the interests of the province’s community of archives, heritage organizations, and records institutions.

Governance

The AAO is governed by a volunteer-based Board of Directors and represents archival institutions, those working in archives, and volunteers, patrons, and supporters of archives. It promotes archives as vital to the fair, transparent, and equitable operations of the Canadian and Ontario governments, and society as a whole. The AAO's Constitution outlines the bylaws guiding the administration and operations of the AAO.