[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 174 (Friday, September 7, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 46752-46753]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-22484]


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NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION

36 CFR Part 1254

RIN 3095-AB01


Research Room Procedures

AGENCY: National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: NARA proposes to amend its regulations on use of NARA research 
rooms to add a policy on use of public access personal computers 
(workstations) in the research rooms. These NARA-provided workstations 
will provide researcher access to the Internet. We are also clarifying 
that, in research rooms where the plastic researcher identification 
card is also used with the facility's security system, we will issue a 
plastic card to researchers who have a paper card from another NARA 
facility. This proposed rule will affect researchers who use NARA 
research facilities nationwide.

DATES: Comments are due by November 6, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Comments must be sent to Regulation Comments Desk (NPOL), 
Room 4100, Policy and Communications Staff, National Archives and 
Records Administration, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740-6001. 
They may be faxed to 301-713-7270. You may also comment via the 
Internet to [email protected]. Please submit Internet comments as an 
ASCII file avoiding the use of special characters and any form of 
encryption. Please also include ``Attn: 3095-AB01'' and your name and 
return address in your Internet message. If you do not receive a 
confirmation from the system that we have received your Internet 
message, contact the Regulation Comment desk at 301-713-7360, ext. 226.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nancy Allard at telephone number 301-
713-7360, ext. 226, or fax number 301-713-7270.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Public Access Personal Computer Workstations in the Research Rooms 
Sec. 1254

    Before September 30, 2001, NARA will have installed personal 
computer workstations with Internet access in research and/or 
consultation rooms in all NARA archival facilities, including regional 
archives and Presidential libraries, for the exclusive use of 
researchers. There will be at least one workstation at each facility. 
Space constraints in many of the facilities limit the number of 
workstations that can be provided.
    These computers will provide Internet access for research purposes, 
such as access to NARA's Archival Information Locator (NAIL), and 
NAIL's successor, the Archival Research Catalog (ARC). Computers 
designated for public use provide Internet access only. At least one of 
the public Internet access workstations in each facility complies with 
the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, ensuring comparable accessibility 
to individuals with disabilities.
    Use of the workstations will be on a first-come, first-served 
basis. A 30-minute time limit may be imposed on the use of the 
equipment when others are waiting to use a workstation. This policy is 
compatible with our policy for limiting the length of time microform 
readers and self-service copiers may be used when others are waiting.
    Because of the possibility of introducing a virus to NARA's 
computer network, researchers may not load files or software on these 
computers. For the same reason, researchers may not use personally 
owned diskettes to download information. Researchers may download 
information to diskettes furnished by NARA and print information to an 
on-site printer. Based on the experience of several NARA facilities 
that already have Internet capability in the research room, we expect 
low to moderate use of the NARA-provided diskettes and printers. 
Therefore, we do not intend to charge for these services.

Validity of Paper Researcher Identification Cards at all NARA 
Facilities

    Currently NARA researcher identification cards issued at one NARA 
facility are valid at all NARA facilities. At our College Park 
facility, a plastic researcher identification card that works with our 
security system is issued. We intend to expand use of the plastic card 
to the National Archives Building in downtown Washington, DC, and 
possibly to other NARA facilities in the future. We are modifying the 
existing

[[Page 46753]]

rule to provide that NARA will issue a plastic identification card (at 
no charge) to replace a previously-issued paper one when a researcher 
goes for the first time to a facility that use the plastic cards.
    This proposed rule is not a significant regulatory action for the 
purposes of Executive Order 12866 and has not 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 it applies 
only to individuals conducting research on NARA premises. This 
regulation does not have any federalism or tribal 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 of title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, as follows:

PART Sec. 1254--AVAILABILITY OF RECORDS AND DONATED HISTORICAL 
MATERIALS

    1. The authority citation for Part 1254 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 44 U.S.C. 2101-2118; 5 U.S.C. 552; and E.O. 12600, 52 
FR 23781, 3 CFR, 1987 Comp., p. 235.

    2. Revise Sec. 1254.6 to read as follows::


Sec. 1254.6  Researcher identification card.

    (a) An identification card is issued to each person who is approved 
to use records other than microfilm. Cards are valid for three years, 
and may be renewed upon application. Cards are valid at each facility, 
except as described in paragraph (b) of this section. They are not 
transferable and must be presented if requested by a guard or research 
room attendant.
    (b) At the National Archives in College Park and other NARA 
facilities that issue and use plastic researcher identification cards 
as part of their security systems, paper researcher identification 
cards issued at other NARA facilities are not valid. In facilities that 
use plastic researcher identification cards, NARA will issue a plastic 
card to replace the paper card at no charge.
    3. Add Sec. 1254.25 to read as follows:


Sec. 1254.25  Rules for public access use of the Internet on NARA-
supplied personal computers.

    (a) Public access personal computers (workstations) are available 
for Internet use in all NARA research rooms. The number of workstations 
varies per location. These workstations are intended for research 
purposes and are provided on a first-come-first-served basis. When 
others are waiting to use the workstation, a 30-minute time limit may 
be imposed on the use of the equipment.
    (b) Researchers should not expect privacy while using these 
workstations. These workstations are operated and maintained on a 
United States Government system, and activity may be monitored to 
protect the system from unauthorized use. By using this system, 
researchers expressly consent to such monitoring and the reporting of 
unauthorized use to the proper authorities.
    (c) At least one Internet access workstation will be provided in 
each facility that complies with the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, 
ensuring comparable accessibility to individuals with disabilities.
    (d) Researchers may download information to a diskette and print 
materials, but the research room staff will furnish the diskettes and 
paper. Researchers may not use personally owned diskettes on NARA 
personal computers.
    (e) Researchers may not load files or any type of software on these 
workstations.

    Dated: August 31, 2001.
John W. Carlin,
Archivist of the United States.
[FR Doc. 01-22484 Filed 9-6-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7515-01-P