[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 36 (Friday, February 22, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8199-8200]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-4211]


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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: Final rule.

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[[Page 8200]]

SUMMARY: NARA is amending 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 rule will affect researchers who use NARA research 
facilities nationwide.

EFFECTIVE DATE: March 25, 2002.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NARA published a notice of proposed 
rulemaking on September 7, 2001 at 66 FR 46752. The comment period 
ended on November 6, 2001. NARA received no public comments, and is 
issuing this final rule without change.
    The public access computers described in Sec. 1254.25 are being 
installed in research and/or consultation rooms in all NARA archival 
facilities, including regional archives and Presidential libraries, to 
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. Individual accessibility requirements are addressed on an 
as-needed basis. We encourage people who require assistive technology 
to notify the appropriate research room at least two weeks in advance.
    This 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 amends part 1254 of 
title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, as follows:

PART 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 one year, 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: February 15, 2002.
John W. Carlin,
Archivist of the United States.
[FR Doc. 02-4211 Filed 2-21-02; 8:45 am]
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