The National Genealogical Society's "UpFront" blog is reporting:
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) has proposed some major changes that will significantly reduce the space and services available to researchers who wish to use NARA records in Washington, D.C. Specifically, the proposal is to relocate the Finding Aids/ Consultants to a smaller, open space within the library, reduce the number of microfilm readers, and replace self-serve microfilm access with a "pull on demand" process that requires staff to retrieve each film as someone requests it.
The National Genealogical Society is opposed to the changes and is asking genealogists to contact the Acting Archivist of the United States, the Archivist of the United States nominee, and members of Congress to express concerns.
You can read more at the NGS blog at http://upfront.ngsgenealogy.org/2009/10/nara-seeks-to-shrink-research-space-and.html. Make sure you click on the image there to see a larger floor map that illustrates the proposed changes.
You can read more at the NGS blog at http://upfront.ngsgenealogy.org/2009/10/nara-seeks-to-shrink-research-space-and.html. Make sure you click on the image there to see a larger floor map that illustrates the proposed changes.
I've contacted my congressman and he agreed to look into it -- whatever that means inside the beltway. The Acting Archivist was unavailable for telephone conversation. I sent an email, fully expecting a rapid press of the Delete key when he sees it. But, maybe not.
Happy Dae, NARA volunteer
http://ShoeStringGenealogy.com
Posted by: Dae Powell | October 21, 2009 at 02:56 AM
We also need to contact
Peter R. Orszag
Office of Management and Budget
725 17th Street, NW
Washington DC 20503
In your letters please stress the importance of continuing access to the microflimed records. Examples of information found on microfilm that was missed in the digitizing process would be helpful.
Posted by: Marie Varrelman Melchiori, CG, CGL | October 21, 2009 at 08:41 AM
Surely a good point must be that replacing "self-serve microfilm access with a 'pull on demand' process that requires staff to retrieve each film as someone requests it" is going to be more expensive in staff costs?
No doubt someone has actually done their costing to refute this but I suspect such an argument will be complex and the simple statement about staff costs might weigh more.
Posted by: Adrian B | October 21, 2009 at 10:53 AM
Based on my "pull on demand" experience at the Library of Congress (hour+ wait for books, surly clerks, etc.), I think this is a disaster.
Posted by: Pat | October 21, 2009 at 02:51 PM
The Archives has discovered that it cost less to attract and serve tourist than it does to help researchers. Also, tourist buy items at the gift shop. Also, it will not cost the Archives anything more to run a pull system for the microfilm. They will either assign the duty to the existing clerks, which means there will be fewer people to assist researchers, or they will assign the duty to the clerks who are pulling the textual records. This would mean that it would take even longer to retrieve records. If the researching community fails to fight this action to save the microfilm operation and the room requirements of the consultants, then the next battle will be over saving the textural records. It will be very easy for NARA to reduce space, reduce the number of pulls, and make it harder and harder to find records. Silence will be interpreted as approval.
Posted by: Harold McClendon | October 21, 2009 at 09:22 PM
The National Archives has just put out a statement on this issue:
October 22, 2009
National Archives Statement on Improving Services to Researchers at the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C…The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) continually looks at ways to improve and increase our services to visitors and researchers. We conduct this review to ensure that we continue to provide the highest level of services to our regular clientele and to extend our services to potential users with different backgrounds and expectations.
It’s come to our attention that our researcher community may have received erroneous information about our plans for some adjustments to the Archives I research rooms. The following information is an outline of what we are considering.
Are you reducing the size of the Finding Aids/Consultation Room?
No. Current plans would more than double that space.
The current room on the ground floor of the National Archives Building (Room G-28) serves as the finding aids room, the consultation area, and as office space for three staff members. The area available in this space for consultation with the public is approximately 450 square feet and has three consultation tables. We are proposing to move the consultation area from G-28 to the adjacent area which is currently the National Archives Library, G-30. We will use approximately 1100 square feet of what is now Library space for this consultation area. The space will have eight tables for consultation. So, we will more than double the area and number of tables for researchers to consult with staff and use the finding aids. The three staff members who currently have their workspace in G-28 will have new workstations adjacent to the research room that they can use to do other work when they are not providing direct consultation service. This plan is based on the successful model that has been in place for several years for consultants at Archives II in College Park.
Are you eliminating the Microfilm Reading Room?
No. Over the last few years use of our microfilm holdings has decreased by 70%. In fiscal year 2000 we had 53,000 microfilm researcher visits; in fiscal year 2009 we had 16,000 microfilm research visits. When our microfilm reading room was first designed and built we estimated the need for 100 microfilm readers. Because of digitization and other factors, there no longer is the need for so many microfilm readers. So we are considering reducing the number of microfilm machines to 30 and increasing the number of public access computers to meet the demand for the old and the new technology. We will maintain the number of microfilm machines at a level that is needed by those researchers who continue to have the need for microfilm.
Are you eliminating self-service microfilm?
No. For the convenience of both researchers and staff, the National Archives maintains a policy of allowing researchers to browse our microfilm cabinets and select their own microfilm. We will continue with this policy as long as research demand warrants it. We may, however, relocate the microfilm to another public area adjacent to the microfilm reading room.
Are you eliminating the Lecture Room?
No. Our current lecture room on the ground floor (G-24) is used daily for programs such as our very popular “Know Your Records” seminars. Any renovation of the ground floor research area will include a lecture room so our researchers, visitors, and NARA staff can continue to use it for critical outreach and other activities.
What are you doing with the Orientation and Registration Area?
While we may eventually re-locate those areas physically, we have no immediate plans to do so. We of course would not eliminate this critical function, and will ensure it is located appropriately.
These changes to the National Archives Building should improve the services we provide to researchers. No functions or services are being eliminated or reduced.
To ensure that the changes meet the needs of researchers, we intend to continue to have our quarterly meetings with our Archives I user group to keep users informed and solicit their comments.
* * *
Posted by: NARA Public Affairs | October 22, 2009 at 09:31 AM
Rumor mongering isn't good for anyone. The NARA announcement shows that it pays to use original sources with primary information, rather than derivative ones with secondary information.
Posted by: Oxa | October 22, 2009 at 07:43 PM
"Rumor mongering isn't good for anyone. The NARA announcement shows that it pays to use original sources with primary information, rather than derivative ones with secondary information."
Yeah, a little like using a tree at Ancestry or a listing from the IGI as a source!
Posted by: LindaS | October 24, 2009 at 03:10 PM
I would like to compare the two statements:
A-1 User’s Group
The Microfilm Reading Room will be moved to a drastically smaller space (the current Finding Aids Room) with significantly fewer microfilm readers. We recognize that the number of researchers using the microfilm area has diminished over the past few years, but there is still a demand to use microfilm. We suggest a room containing at least 30 readers, which would be approximately half the current number.
NARA responded with:
Are you eliminating the Microfilm Reading Room?
No. Over the last few years use of our microfilm holdings has decreased by 70%. In fiscal year 2000 we had 53,000 microfilm researcher visits; in fiscal year 2009 we had 16,000 microfilm research visits. When our microfilm reading room was first designed and built we estimated the need for 100 microfilm readers. Because of digitization and other factors, there no longer is the need for so many microfilm readers. So we are considering reducing the number of microfilm machines to 30 and increasing the number of public access computers to meet the demand for the old and the new technology. We will maintain the number of microfilm machines at a level that is needed by those researchers who continue to have the need for microfilm.
My comment:The User’s Group never suggested that the microfilm reading room was to be eliminated. We agreed that the numbers are down but we would like to see at least 30 readers.
A-1 User’s Group:
Direct researcher access to microfilm collections will be eliminated and replaced with a "pull on demand" system. We believe it is unworkable, and result in much wasted researcher time by requiring researchers to request individual rolls of microfilm, then wait for a staff member to retrieve it from a stack area deep within the building. No one has been able to tell us where the microfilm will be stored or how long it will take to retrieve it.
NARA responded with:
Are you eliminating self-service microfilm?
No. For the convenience of both researchers and staff, the National Archives maintains a policy of allowing researchers to browse our microfilm cabinets and select their own microfilm. We will continue with this policy as long as research demand warrants it. We may, however, relocate the microfilm to another public area adjacent to the microfilm reading room.
My comment: This was one of the suggestions that the User’s Group found totally unacceptable. NARA’s response “We will continue with this policy as long as research demand warrants it. We may, however, relocate the microfilm to another public area adjacent to the microfilm reading room.” gives them the opportunity to change their minds at any time. No criteria has been set to indicate what is meant by “as long as research demand warrants it.” Knowing the location of the microfilm now and the areas surrounding the Consultant’s Office there is little space to put the film. Since this was a move that was imminent, [I overheard the NARA staff members looking at the area in the library] I would assume the area would have already been chosen.
If you look at the map, the microfilm is now located in the two hallways, and along two sides of the existing microfilm reading room. This is not re-locating a couple of hundred rolls of film.
A-1 User’s Group:
The Lecture Room will be eliminated. No one has been able to tell us where a New Lecture Room would be. This room is used frequently for NARA public programs (genealogy lectures, etc.) as well as internal NARA meetings.
NARA responded with:
Are you eliminating the Lecture Room?
No. Our current lecture room on the ground floor (G-24) is used daily for programs such as our very popular “Know Your Records” seminars. Any renovation of the ground floor research area will include a lecture room so our researchers, visitors, and NARA staff can continue to use it for critical outreach and other activities.
My comment: We said “ No one has been able to tell us where a New Lecture Room would be.” Again with a move imminent the assumption is that the new space would already be designated.
A-1 User’s Group:
The Finding Aids Room (Consultants' Office) is to be moved from its current room, which provides adequate space for staff, researchers, and necessary finding aids to textual (unfilmed) records, to a small open area in the library which will not provide adequate working space or privacy.
NARA responded with:
Are you reducing the size of the Finding Aids/Consultation Room?
No. Current plans would more than double that space.
The current room on the ground floor of the National Archives Building (Room G-28) serves as the finding aids room, the consultation area, and as office space for three staff members. The area available in this space for consultation with the public is approximately 450 square feet and has three consultation tables. We are proposing to move the consultation area from G-28 to the adjacent area which is currently the National Archives Library, G-30. We will use approximately 1100 square feet of what is now Library space for this consultation area. The space will have eight tables for consultation. So, we will more than double the area and number of tables for researchers to consult with staff and use the finding aids. The three staff members who currently have their workspace in G-28 will have new workstations adjacent to the research room that they can use to do other work when they are not providing direct consultation service. This plan is based on the successful model that has been in place for several years for consultants at Archives II in College Park.
My comment: While it would be nice to have the additional space there is no indication that this will be a dedicated space. One of the “plus” points mentioned was that “if the consultant’s area was full you could move to any other table in the library.” I wonder how a library user would like to have a consultation taking place right next to them? The current Finding Aids/Consultant’s office has 3 distinct areas. One for military, one for Navy and one for Civil. It does get a little noisy when there are several people at each table, but we are all there for the same purpose.
A-1 User’s Group:
The Orientation and Registration area would be eliminated. This is currently used for researcher registration, to issue researcher identification cards, and for researcher consultations with staff members and volunteers, and for researcher access to computers. No one has been able to tell us where these functions would be moved.
NARA responded with:
What are you doing with the Orientation and Registration Area?
While we may eventually re-locate those areas physically, we have no immediate plans to do so. We of course would not eliminate this critical function, and will ensure it is located appropriately.
My comment: Again we stated “No one has been able to tell us where these functions would be moved.” We realize these are important to NARA functions and cannot be eliminated.
NARA responded with:
These changes to the National Archives Building should improve the services we provide to researchers. No functions or services are being eliminated or reduced.
To ensure that the changes meet the needs of researchers, we intend to continue to have our quarterly
meetings with our Archives I user group to keep users informed and solicit their comments.
My personal response:
We obtained the information that generated our letter from the 16 October A-1 User's Group meeting. It was not erroneous. Minutes going back to 23 June 2008 mention the reduction of the microfilm reading room and film being “pull on demand.’ It was acknowledged that those plans have been discussed, “however NARA does not have the funds for the renovations at this time.” I assume the 5 phase plan allows NARA to move the consultant’s office and the microfilm reading room without a budget item. I have heard that the rest of the renovation is in the 2011 NARA budget.
Posted by: Marie Varrelman Melchiori, CG, CGL | October 24, 2009 at 06:09 PM
I do need to amend my above comments. After checking with daily users of the Archives-II [College Park]consultant's office I received the following:
"Marie, at A-2, there is a glass enclosed research assistance room, one end covers the civilian end, the other is the military end. There are two computers with Archivists at each end to assist researchers with any questions. There are two long tables and chairs in each section for researchers to use to check the finding aids and to get assistance."
This is on the 2nd floor in the Textual Research Room. The Library in A-II is on the 3rd floor, Room 3000. http://www.archives.gov/research/alic/services.html#a2
NARA's statement "This plan is based on the successful model that has been in place for several years for consultants at Archives II in College Park." is wrong.
A-II has a dedicated space for the consultants and the finding aids in the 2nd floor Textual Research Room, NOT in the 3rd floor library.
Posted by: Marie Varrelman Melchiori, CG, CGL | October 25, 2009 at 05:54 PM