Not Official But Some More Good News -- National Archives Library

Update on the National Archives Library Information Center

In the last couple of days there has been much concern about the status of the National Archives Library Information Center (ALIC). The National Archives will be putting out an official statement on the issue, but in the meantime I was able to speak with David McMillen the External Affairs Liaison at the National Archives. He assured me that the library is not closing and the collection would remain accessible to the public. There are going to be changes to the library. Due to budget constraints the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) will be merging library services with other services. This means that:

    * The library will remain open and staffed and public access will remain
    * The library collection will remain intact (with the exception of the bound serial set being moved because the library has purchased an online version).
    * Like most libraries facing budget cuts, acquisitions will be substantially reduced.
    * Seven positions will be reassigned, not laid off. Some of those people may be providing library reference within a different unit, but it is too soon to say where people will be assigned.
    * The records management process with the Government Printing Office will not be affected by this merge.

Jessica McGilvray

Assistant Director, Office of Government Relations