National Archives Reference Services-Historical Research (89.001)
Program
89.001 National Archives Reference Services-Historical Research
Federal Agency
NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION
Authorization
Public Law 90-620, 82 Stat. 1293; Public Law 92- 546, 86 Stat. 1155; Public Law 93-536, 88 Stat. 1734; Public Law 96-98, 93 Stat. 731; National Archives and Records Administration Act of 1984, Public Law 98-189, 97 Stat. 1323, Public Law 98-497, 98 Stat. 2287; Public Law 100-365, 102 Stat. 823; Public Law 103-262, 108 Stat. 706; 44 U.S.C. 2501-2506, Public Law 104-274, 110 Stat. 3321; Public Law 106- 410, 114 Stat. 1788.
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
Use of Property, Facilities, and Equipment; Advisory Services and Counseling; Dissemination of Technical Information.
Uses and Use Restrictions
The assistance provided by the 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.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
None. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure
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
None.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
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.
Program Accomplishments
During fiscal year 2002, the National Archives provided a total of 14,277,795 reference services from the sources shown below: Records Services - Washington, DC, provided 1,738,242 (reference services); Regional Records Services 12,499,000. The Presidential Libraries provided 40,553 reference responses and more than 137,244 items to researchers. It is estimated that for fiscal years 2003 and 2004, the National Archives will provide a total of 14,228,154 and 14,324,411 reference services, respectively, from the following sources: Records Services - Washington, DC, 1,825,154 and 1,916,411; Presidential Libraries - 45,000 and 50,000; items to researchers 140,000 and 145,000; and regional records services operations - 12,358,000 each year for fiscal 2003 and 2004.
Financial Information
Account Identification
88-0300-0-1-804.
Obligations
(Salaries and expenses) FY 02 $45,438,800; (Records Services - Washington, DC, $24,420,000; Presidential Libraries, $2,033,800; Regional Records Services, $18,985,000); FY 03 est $47,488,700; (Records Services - Washington, DC, $25,412,000; Presidential Libraries, $2,048,700; Regional Records Services, $20,028,000); and FY 04 est $48,847,700; (Records Services - Washington, DC, $26,129,000; Presidential Libraries, $2,089,700; Regional Records Services, $20,629,000).
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
42.006, Library of Congress_Library Services; 42.007, Reference Services in Science, Technology and Business; 89.003, National Historical Publications and Records Grants.
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, Washington, DC 20408. Telephone: (301) 837-3633. 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.
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
Not applicable.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Not applicable.
