National Archives Reference Services_Historical Research
The National Archives and Records Administration enables people to inspect the record of what the Federal government has done, enables officials and agencies to review their actions and helps citizens hold them accountable.
Program Accomplishments
During fiscal year 2007, the National Archives provided a total of 1,327,131 reference responses from the following sources: Records Services-Washington, DC, provided 86,056; Regional Records Services provided 1,203,109; and Presidential Libraries provided 37,966. National Archives provided 519,625 reference items to researchers for fiscal year 2007: Records Services-Washington, DC, provided 400,106; Regional Records Services provided 48,915; and Presidential Libraries provided 70,604. It is estimated that for each of the fiscal years 2008 and 2009, the National Archives will provide 1,338,056 reference responses (Records Services-Washington, DC, 79,958; Regional Records Services 1,220,894; and Presidential Libraries 37,204); and 508,456 items to researchers (Records Services-Washington, DC, 372,156; Regional Records Services 66,670; and Presidential Libraries 69,630).
Uses and Use Restrictions
The assistance provided by NARA is designed to assist the public in obtaining access to information contained in records which are in the custody of the National Archives.
Restrictions on the use of accessioned records in the National Archives of the United States are divided into two categories: general restrictions and specific restrictions.
General restrictions apply to all records regardless of origin and apply to types of information or classes of records exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, for example, national security information.
Specific restrictions are specified by the transferring agency or donor and apply only to records in a particular record group or a portion of that record group.
All restrictions are included in 36 CFR 1256.
Access to records in the records center operations within NARA's regional records services facilities; in the National Personnel Records Center; and in the Washington National Records Center is controlled by the agency which created the records.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Anyone (general public).
Beneficiary Eligibility
Anyone (general public).
Credentials/Documentation
Photographic identification.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
None.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
To see records in person, NARA Form 14003, Researcher Application, is required. To obtain information or copies by mail, contact the depository; if a form is required, applicant will be notified. The use of publications, such as microfilm publications of the U.S. Census, does not require the completion of a Researcher Application. Microfilm publications are available in regional facilities in self-service reference rooms. Request for civilian and military personnel records should be addressed to the National Personnel Records Center. Requests for court records should be addressed to the appropriate regional records services facility. Requests for records held in records center operations of the NARA regional records services facility and in the Washington National Records Center should be addressed directly to the agency having legal custody.
Award Procedures
Not applicable.
Deadlines
None.
Authorization
Public Law 90-621, 82 Stat.1238; National Archives and Records Administration Act of 1984, Public Law 98-497, 98 Stat. 2280.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Not applicable.
Appeals
Not applicable.
Renewals
Not applicable.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Not applicable.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Not applicable.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Not applicable.
Audits
Not applicable.
Records
Not applicable.
Financial Information
Account Identification
88-0300-0-1-804.
Obigations
(Salaries and expenses) FY 07 $47,780,197; (Records Services-Washington, DC, $25,940,000; Presidential Libraries, $2,949,857; Regional Records Services, $18,890,340); FY 08 est $52,185,895; (Records Services-Washington, DC, $28,402,000; Presidential Libraries, $3,645,000; Regional Records Services, $20,138,895); and FY 09 est $53,906,365,; (Records Services-Washington, DC, $28,524,000; Presidential Libraries, $3,751,000; Regional Records Services, $21,631,365).
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Not applicable.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
36 CFR Chapter XII, Subchapter C. Over 200 printed publications are available as listed in General Information Leaflet No. 3, "Select List of Publications of the National Archives and Records Administration," available without charge from the Publication Services (NEPS), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, DC 20408.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
See Appendix IV of the Catalog for a list of addresses.
Headquarters Office
Office of Records Services-Washington, DC., National Archives and Records Administration, College Park, MD 20740-6001. Telephone: (301) 837-3110. Regional records services facilities: Office of Regional Records Services, National Archives and Records Administration, College Park, MD 20740-6001. Telephone: (301) 837-1982. Office of Presidential Libraries, National Archives and Records Administration, College Park, MD 20740-6001. Telephone: (301) 837-3250.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Not applicable.
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