National Archives Reference Services-Historical Research (89.001)

Program

89.001 National Archives Reference Services-Historical Research

Federal Agency

Agency: National Archives and Records Administration

Authorization

National Archives and Records Administration Act of 1984, Public Law 98-497, 98 Stat. 2280.

Program Number

89.001

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

Objectives: To provide professional reference service to members of the general public and employees of the Federal government who are conducting research in Federal records or in historical materials in Presidential Libraries; provide the general public with research assistance in gaining access to and use of the records of the Federal government; provide advice and information to the public through conferences, workshops and other outreach activities on the availability and use of Federal records in the NARA's custody and, preparing for publication and dissemination articles of a scholarly nature for historical journals and technical publications.

Types of Assistance

ADVISORY SERVICES AND COUNSELING; DISSEMINATION OF TECHNICAL INFORMATION; USE OF PROPERTY, FACILITIES, OR EQUIPMENT

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. 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. Specific restrictions are specified by the transferring agency or doner, and apply only to records in a particular record group or a portion of that group. All restrictions are included in 36 CFR 1256.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Anyone (general public).

Beneficiary Eligibility

Anyone (general public).

Credentials/Documentation

Photographic identification. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication coordination is not applicable. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure

This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. 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 Procedure

Not applicable.

Deadlines

Not Applicable.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Not Applicable.

Appeals

Not Applicable.

Renewals

Not Applicable.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

This program has no statutory formula.

This program has no matching requirements.

This program does not have MOE requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Not Applicable. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Not Applicable.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Audits

Not Applicable.

Records

Not applicable.

Program Accomplishments

Fiscal Year 2008: During fiscal year 2008, the National Archives provided a total of 1,418,911 reference responses from the following sources: Records Services-Washington, DC, provided 87,712; Regional Records Services provided 1,292,449; and Presidential Libraries provided 38,750. National Archives provided 576,337 reference items to researchers for fiscal year 2008: Records Services-Washington, DC, provided 427,091; Regional Records Services provided 72,570; and Presidential Libraries provided 76,676. Fiscal Year 2009: It is estimated that for fiscal year 2009, the National Archives will provide 1,461,068 reference responses (Records Services-Washington, DC, 77,918; Regional Records Services 1,346,091; and Presidential Libraries 37,059); and 485,240 items to researchers (Records Services-Washington, DC, 367,183; Regional Records Services 52,959; and Presidential Libraries 65,098). Fiscal Year 2010: It is estimated that for fiscal year 2010, the National Archives will provide 1,461,068 reference responses (Records Services-Washington, DC, 77,918; Regional Records Services 1,346,091; and Presidential Libraries 37,059); and 485,240 items to researchers (Records Services-Washington, DC, 367,183; Regional Records Services 52,959; and Presidential Libraries 65,098).

Financial Information

Account Identification

88-0300-0-1-804.

Obligations

(Salaries) FY 08 $49,456,721; FY 09 est $49,974,217; FY 10 est $50,307,550

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.

Related Programs

89.003 National Historical Publications and Records Grants

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

See Regional Agency Offices. See Appendix IV of the Catalog for a list of addresses.

Headquarters Office

Jacquelyn A. Gerard 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, Maryland 20740 Email: jacquelyn.gerard@nara.gov Phone: 301-837-1742 Fax: 301-837-3224

Web Site Address

http://www.archives.gov.

Examples of Funded Projects

Not Applicable.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Not Applicable.