I received the message below from the National Genealogical Society.
VERY IMPORTANT PLEASE READ and forward to all genealogist!
Be sure to visit the link
http://www.archives.gov/press/press-releases/2006/nr06-125.html and comment!
Deanna D. Ramsey
Public Relations Chair
Florida State Genealogical Society
www.flsgs.org
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
National Archives Hearing
A public meeting was held on Thursday, 3 August 2006 to discuss the proposed
cuts in research hours at the National Archives. Allen Weinstein, Archivist
of the United States, moderated the meeting which was held at 1:00 p.m. in
the Jefferson Room of the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C. He
began by introducing a panel of the following NARA staff:
Michael J. Kurtz, Assistant Archivist, Office of Records Services,
Washington, D.C.
Greg Pomicer, Office of Regional Record Services Marvin Pinkert, Center for
the National Archives Experience Nancy Allard, Policy and Planning Staff
Professor Weinstein stated that because of the unexpected budget cut of
approximately eight million dollars to NARA's operating budget for the
upcoming fiscal year, it will be necessary to reduce the number of hours of
operation available for researchers. Although the press release indicated
the proposed reduction in hours would be at the D.C. and the College Park
locations, the Archivist stated that the NARA Regional facilities will also
have cuts in hours and services. The proposal is to eliminate evening and
Saturday hours and have access limited to Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.
to 5 p.m. This meeting was held to elicit comments from the public. Nancy
Allard stated that a final decision would be made by Professor Weinstein by
29 September 2006. After the brief introduction, the meeting was opened for
questions and comments from the audience.
There were approximately 60 in attendance consisting of archivists,
contractors, genealogists, historians, lawyers, librarians, researchers, and
NARA volunteers. There was general consensus among those speaking that the
reduction in hours would severely hurt researchers who work during the week.
They pointed out that many researchers only use the NARA facilities on
evenings or on Saturdays. A college professor from Chicago stated that the
evening hours were imperative to maximize a research trip for someone from
out-of-town.
Several questioned the statistics used to determine the percentages of
researcher use in the evening hours and on Saturdays. From the figures
printed in the "Federal Register" (Vol. 71, No. 142, Tuesday, July 25,
2006), it appears that between 20% to 25% of all researchers use the evening
and Saturday hours in the downtown facility. This may be an underestimation
since the figures were derived from the sign-in sheets in the research room
at the National Archives Building in 2005. If a researcher arrives at 4:45
p.m. and stays until 9 p.m., he or she would not be included in the evening
count. Only those who sign in after 5:30 p.m. are considered as researching
in the evening. It was recommended that the sheet that is maintained by the
security guards at the entrance to the building be used since it keeps track
of the researcher's arrival and departure times which would include those
who are using the Library services.
Following the comments that lasted an hour and 45 minutes, Professor
Weinstein closed the meeting with the following three points:
1. That NARA was surprised by the passion shown by those who use the
National Archives.
2. That they will reevaluate the numbers and the decision would be made on
precise numbers.
3. That this decision would not be made lightly and that other decisions
will rest upon this base decision.
The comment period for the public on this ruling closes on 8 September 2006
- less than 30 days from now. For comments on the final interim rule, go to:
http://www.archives.gov/press/press-releases/2006/nr06-125.html
On this page under Agency, select the "National Archives and Records
Administration*" link and click on the pdf icon to get a copy of the final
interim ruling. There is also a link here for comments which request your
name, postal code and email address. Comments can be submitted directly on
the page or by attachment using either PDF or text files.
Mail, Courier, or Hand Delivery: Submit comments to Regulations Comments
Desk (NPOL), Room 4100, Policy and Planning Staff, National Archives and
Records Administration, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740-6001.
Fax: Submit comments by facsimile transmission to 301-837-0319.
Although it was not mentioned by the Archivist at the hearing, I think it
would be useful for researchers to call their Congressional representatives
and ask that the NARA's budget be restored.
Reported by Patricia O'Brien Shawker, CG Treasurer, National Genealogical
Society