[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 185 (Friday, September 25, 2009)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 48892-48893]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-23225]
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NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION
36 CFR Part 1254
[FDMS Docket NARA-09-0004]
RIN 3095-AB59
Researcher Identification Card
AGENCY: National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
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SUMMARY: The proposed rule will require researchers using original
records, NARA microfilm, and public use computers at the National
Archives Building in Washington, DC, to obtain a researcher
identification card. Researchers at regional archives are also required
to obtain a researcher identification card when there is no separate
research room for the use of microfilm and public access computers. The
proposed rule also updates our regulations to reflect changes in
available technology and research room practices, such as abolishing
the three-hour time limit for using microfilm readers. This proposed
rule will affect the public.
DATES: Comments are due by November 24, 2009.
ADDRESSES: NARA invites interested persons to submit comments on this
proposed rule. Comments may be submitted by any of the following
methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: Submit comments by facsimile transmission to 301-837-
0319.
Mail: Send 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.
Hand Delivery or Courier: Deliver comments to 8601 Adelphi
Road, College Park, MD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marilyn Redman at 301-837-1850; or,
fax number 301-837-0319.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed rule modifies our regulations
relating to the public use of Federal records and donated historical
materials. In particular, we are modifying the regulation addressing
the issuance of researcher identification cards to enhance security in
the National Archives Building in Washington, DC, and some other NARA
facilities. For many years, we have not required researchers who use
only
[[Page 48893]]
microfilm publications (i.e., copies on microfilm of original records)
to register for a researcher identification card in our facilities
where microfilm research is conducted separately from research rooms
servicing original records. We have registered researchers who use
original records in order to better understand our researchers' needs
and provide us with a way to contact them in case we need to follow up
on their visit.
Over the last few years, we have determined that requiring our
microfilm researchers in the National Archives Building to register for
a researcher identification card will strengthen our security to
protect buildings, people, and the records we hold. The electronic
system that NARA uses to generate researcher identification cards in
the Washington, DC, area, enables us to track the various research
rooms that each person visits. Tracking researcher visits helps ensure
more accurate counting of researchers to measure our performance in
customer service delivery and to effectively allocate resources.
What changes are we making in this proposed rule?
We are proposing substantive changes by amending the following
sections:
Sec. 1254.6(b): We are adding the requirement for
researchers using the National Archives Building, even those only using
microfilm publications or public use computers, to apply for and obtain
a researcher identification card. This rule applies to regional
archives facilities, as well, except where the microfilm research area
is separate from the area where original records are used. We made
other changes in the text to reflect that none of the affected
facilities has more than one textual research room.
Sec. 1254.22(a): The term ``bar-coded'' is deleted and
replaced with the broader term ``encoded.'' We no longer use bar-codes
on researcher identification cards in the Washington, DC, area. The
plastic cards we issue now have a magnetic strip and future cards may
use other technology.
Sec. 1254.44(a): Because fewer researchers are using
microfilm and there are no waits, the 3-hour limit on use and waiting
lists are no longer needed for the use of microfilm readers. We are
removing references to the 3-hour limit.
Sec. 1254.84: Since this section was last revised, the
researcher identification card can be linked to a personal account
established through the National Archives Trust Fund Cashier's Office
and function as a debit card in Washington, DC, area research rooms.
The regulation is being clarified to describe that capability. In
addition, we are removing discussion of deposit accounts, which are no
longer maintained by the Trust Fund.
We also are making non-substantive editorial changes in Sec. Sec.
1254.6(c) and 1254.10(b).
Paperwork Reduction Act
The information collection in this regulation was previously
approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under OMB control
number 3095-0016, which expires on September 30, 2011.
This proposed rule is not a significant regulatory action for the
purposes of Executive Order 12866 and has been reviewed by the Office
of Management and Budget. As required by the Regulatory Flexibility
Act, I certify that this rule will not have a significant impact on a
substantial number of small entities because the regulation affects
individual researchers. This regulation does not have any federalism
implications.
List of Subjects in 36 CFR Part 1254
Archives and records.
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, NARA proposes to amend
part 1254, in title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as follows:
PART 1254--USING RECORDS AND DONATED HISTORICAL MATERIALS
1. The authority citation for part 1254 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 44 U.S.C. 2101-2118.
2. Amend Sec. 1254.6 by revising paragraphs (b) and (c) to read as
follows:
Sec. 1254.6 Do I need a researcher identification card to use
archival materials at a NARA facility?
* * * * *
(b) You also need a researcher identification card if you wish to
use only microfilm copies of documents at NARA's Washington, DC, area
facilities and in any NARA facility where the microfilm research room
is not separate from the textual research room.
(c) If you are using only microfilm copies of records in some
regional archives where the microfilm research room is separate from
the textual room, you do not need an identification card but you must
register as described in Sec. 1254.22.
3. Amend Sec. 1254.10 by revising paragraph (b) to read as
follows:
Sec. 1254.10 For how long and where is my researcher identification
card valid?
* * * * *
(b) At NARA facilities in the Washington, DC, area and other NARA
facilities that issue and use plastic researcher identification cards
as part of their security systems, we issue a plastic card to replace
the paper card issued at some NARA facilities at no charge. The plastic
card is valid at all NARA facilities.
4. Amend Sec. 1254.22 by revising paragraph (a) to read as
follows:
Sec. 1254.22 Do I need to register when I visit a NARA facility for
research?
(a) Yes, you must register each day you enter a NARA research
facility by furnishing the information on the registration sheet or
scanning an encoded researcher identification card. We may ask you for
additional personal identification.
* * * * *
5. Amend Sec. 1254.44 by revising paragraph (a) to read as
follows:
Sec. 1254.44 How long may I use a microfilm reader?
(a) Use of the microfilm readers in the National Archives Building
is on a first-come-first served basis.
* * * * *
8. Revise Sec. 1254.84 to read as follows:
1254.84 How may I use a debit card for copiers in the Washington, DC,
area?
Your research identification card can be used as a debit card if
you arrange with the Cashier's Office to set up an account using cash,
check, money order, debit card, or credit card. Your researcher
identification card number as encoded on the card forms the basis of
your account in the debit system. You may also purchase generic debit
cards of values up to $20 each from the Cashier's Office using any of
the above payment methods. When the Cashier's Office is closed or at
any other time during the hours research rooms are open as cited in
part 1253 of this chapter, you may use cash or credit card to purchase
a debit card from the vending machines located in the research rooms.
Inserting the debit card into a card reader connected to the copier
enables you to make copies for the appropriate fee, which are found in
Sec. 1258.12 of this chapter. You can add value to your card using the
vending machine in the research room or at the Cashier's Office. We do
not make refunds.
Dated: September 21, 2009.
Adrienne C. Thomas,
Acting Archivist of the United States.
[FR Doc. E9-23225 Filed 9-24-09; 8:45 am]
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