Sauer challenges archivists to examine their own professional integrity when she questions whether collection development policies are treated as required guiding principles or merely convenient tools for assistance. If these policies are applied inconsistently, their authority and purpose weaken. They risk being perceived not as solid institutional commitments, but as flexible guidelines that can be adjusted at will. The major gap between principle and practice seems to encompass Sauer’s broader argument that collection development policies are crucial aspects to archiving in theory, but their impact solely depends on how seriously repositories commit to applying them in daily work. I can see how consistently committing to a policy could help set clearer expectations for donors, administrators, and even staff within the repository.

What resonated most with me in this passage was Cook’s emphasis on collective civic accountability and responsibility in archival practice. Traditionally, archival spaces have frequently functioned as exclusive environments, where access was limited and interaction with records was restricted to a specific, skilled group of professionals. I do not agree that this model serves the greater good. If materials are preserved but remain inaccessible to the communities they serve, the archival mission is then a failure. Cook’s argument reinforces the idea that archives should reflect the perspectives, experiences, and sentiments of the communities they serve. I was affected by the example of Canadian archival initiatives. The Canadian archival system demonstrates how a coordinated and collaborative system can bring together institutions, professionals, and communities in order to support more inclusive access and stewardship. In contrast, the current standings of archival work in the United States appear to be moving in the opposite direction, especially regarding access and preservation. This passage made me reflect on how openness and collaboration have the potential to revitalize archives and align them more closely with the needs of society.