[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 65 (Thursday, April 3, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 18160-18161]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-6984]


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NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION

36 CFR Part 1253

RIN 3095-AB57
[Docket NARA-08-0001]


Locations and Hours; Changes in NARA Research Room Hours

AGENCY: National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).

ACTION: Final rule; confirmation of interim rule.

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SUMMARY: NARA is revising its regulations to increase the number of 
hours its archival research rooms are open in the Washington, DC, area. 
In response to an interim final rule published on February 1, 2008, we 
received 53 comments, which are discussed in the SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION section of this preamble. This final rule document confirms 
without change to the rule the effective date of the regulation.

DATES: Effective Date: The interim rule amending published on February 
1, 2008 (73 FR 6030), is adopted as a final rule, effective April 14, 
2008.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nancy Allard at 301-837-1477 or 
Jennifer Davis Heaps at 301-837-1801 or via fax number 301-837-0319.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NARA published an interim final rule on 
February 1, 2008 (73 FR 6030) to restore extended evening and Saturday 
research room hours in its Washington, DC, area archival research 
rooms, effective April 14, 2008. The research rooms will be open from 9 
a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, and Saturday. On Wednesday, 
Thursday, and Friday they will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
    We received 53 comments on the interim final rule from individuals 
and representatives of organizations, all supportive of the increased 
hours. While one comment expressed disappointment with the choice of 
evenings because the extended hours overlap with the Library of 
Congress, a number of comments specifically endorsed having three 
consecutive evenings and Saturday to maximize the cost-effectiveness of 
research room use by out-of-town researchers.
    Seven comments requested that NARA provide additional ``record pull 
times'' for retrieving records from the stacks for use in the research 
rooms on Saturdays and, in one case, weekdays. As we noted in the 
interim final rule, we are restoring the late afternoon time for 
pulling records from the stacks on the three weekdays that we are open 
in the evening, but we have never had Saturday ``pull'' service. We 
recognize that this would be a useful service to researchers who only 
use the research rooms on Saturdays, but we are unable to adopt the 
suggestion. The FY 2008 appropriation that is permitting us to restore 
extended hours does not cover adding staff to provide this additional 
new service. As a result, the finding aids room is open but there is no 
archival consultation. It is these archival professionals who would be 
needed to ensure successful records pulls. Every records request slip 
submitted is checked for accurate pull information by an archivist or 
specialist. We also do not have the pull and refile manager or pull and 
refile technicians available on Saturdays.

[[Page 18161]]

Regulatory Impact

    This rule is not a major rule as defined in 5 U.S.C. Chapter 8, 
Congressional Review of Agency Rulemaking.

List of Subjects in 36 CFR Part 1253

    Archives and records.

PART 1253--LOCATION OF NARA FACILITIES AND HOURS OF USE

0
Accordingly, the interim rule amending 36 CFR part 1253 which was 
published on February 1, 2008 (73 FR 6030), is adopted as a final rule 
without change.

    Dated: March 31, 2008.
Allen Weinstein,
Archivist of the United States.
 [FR Doc. E8-6984 Filed 4-2-08; 8:45 am]
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