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The American Archive is, at once, the very history and future of public media. This comprehensive effort represents the next step in CPB's commitment to locate and preserve the vast legacy of radio and television programming produced by local public media and national producers alike. Launched in the spring of 2010, the American Archive will ultimately provide a system-wide video and audio asset inventory of Public Broadcasting.

To date, radio and television stations and participating organizations in 49 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico are actively involved in the American Archive Content Inventory Project (CIP). Working closely with the American Archive team, stations and other organizations are now actively identifying historically valuable, "at risk" assets. The eventual deployment of specialized American Archive SWAT (Saving What America Treasures) Teams will assist stations with limited archival experience and resources.

This robust database will, in turn, allow the American Archive to support the restoration, digitization, and preservation of rapidly deteriorating collections. Our collective effort to maintain and sustain our vast public media assets will ensure that our legacy is protected and ultimately accessible to all.