36 C.F.R. Subpart B—Research Room Rules
Title 36 - Parks, Forests, and Public Property
(a) Researchers may use original documents only in the designated research room at the facility where they are stored. (b) Researchers must use microfilm copies or other alternative copies of documents when available, rather than the original documents. Some of our microfilm publications are available in more than one NARA facility. (c) We may limit the quantity of documents that we deliver to you at one time. In some research rooms, we furnish records according to a specific time schedule. (a) Yes, you must register each day you enter a NARA research facility by furnishing the information on the registration sheet or scanning a bar-coded researcher identification card. We may ask you to provide additional personal identification. (b) NARA facilities in the Washington, DC, area contain several research rooms; you must register in each research room you visit on a daily basis. (c) In regional archives, you also sign out when leaving the research room for the day. In some Presidential libraries, where we instruct you to do so, you sign out when you leave the building. (a) We limit admission to research rooms in our facilities to individuals examining or copying documents and other materials. (b) We do not admit children under the age of 14 to these research rooms unless we grant them research privileges (see paragraph (d) of this section). (c) The appropriate supervisor may make exceptions for a child who is able to read and who will be closely supervised by an adult while in the research room. The adult must agree in writing to be present when the child uses documents and to be responsible for compliance with the research room and copying rules in subparts B and C of this part. (d) Students under the age of 14 who wish to perform research on original documents must apply in person at the facility where the documents are located. At the National Archives Building, apply to the chief of the Research Support Branch (NWCC1). At the National Archives at College Park, apply to the chief of the Research Support Branch (NWCC2). For regional archives and Presidential libraries, apply to the appropriate supervisor or archivist in charge. We may require either that the student must present a letter of reference from a teacher or that an adult accompany the student while doing research. Students may contact NARA by phone, e-mail, fax, or letter in advance of their visit to discuss their eligibility for research privileges. Current contact information for our facilities is available on our Web site, http://www.archives.gov. (e) We may permit adults and children participating in scheduled tours or workshops in our research rooms when they do not handle any documents that we show to them. These visitors do not need a researcher identification card. (a) Personal belongings. You may take a hand-held wallet and coin purse for the carrying of currency, coins, credit cards, keys, driver's license, and other identification cards into research rooms, but these are subject to inspection when you enter or leave the room. The guard or research room attendant determines whether your wallet or purse is sufficiently small for purposes of this section. You may take cell phones, pagers, and similar telecommunications devices into a research room only under the circumstances cited in §1254.46(b) and, for cell phone cameras, in §1254.70(g). (b) Notes and reference materials. You may take notes, references, lists of documents to be consulted, and other materials into a research room if the supervisor administering the research room or the senior staff member on duty in the research room determines that they are essential to your work requirements. Not all facilities permit you to take notes into the research room. In facilities that allow you to bring notes, staff may stamp your items to indicate that they are your property. (c) You may bring back into the research room on subsequent visits your research notes made on notepaper and notecards we provide and electrostatic copies you make on copying machines in NARA research rooms which are marked with the statement “Reproduced at the National Archives.” You must show any notes and copies to the research room attendant for inspection when you enter the research room. (d) Personal equipment. The research room attendant, with approval from the supervisor, archivist, or lead archives technician in charge of the room, may admit personal computers, tape recorders, scanners, cameras, and similar equipment if the equipment meets NARA's approved standards for preservation. We do not approve the use of any equipment that could potentially damage documents. If demand to use equipment exceeds the space available for equipment use, we may impose time limits. If you wish to use computers, sound recording devices, or other equipment, you must work in areas the research room attendant designates, when required. (a) You may not bring into the research rooms overcoats, raincoats, jackets, hats, or other outerwear; personal paper-to-paper copiers, unless permitted in accordance with §1254.86 of this part; briefcases, satchels, valises, suitcases, day packs, purses, boxes, or similar containers of personal property. We may make exceptions for headwear worn for religious or health reasons. In facilities where we provide notepaper and notecards, you also may not bring into the research room notebooks, notepaper, notecards, folders or other containers for papers. (b) You may store personal items at no cost in lockers or other storage facilities in the NARA facility. These lockers or other storage facilities are available on a first-come-first-served basis. (c) You must remove your personal belongings each night from the lockers or other storage facilities we provide to hold them. If you do not remove your personal belongings, NARA personnel will remove them. We post directions for reclaiming confiscated items near the lockers or other storage facilities. (d) NARA is not responsible for the loss or theft of articles you store in the lockers. (e) We may charge a replacement fee for lost locker keys. (f) Knives and other sharp objects such as box cutters, razors, or wire are not permitted in our research rooms. Yes, in most facilities NARA furnishes you, without charge, pencils and specially marked lined and unlined notepaper and notecards, for use in the research rooms. NARA also provides diskettes and paper for our public access computers. Return unused pencils and notepaper, notecards, diskettes, and printer paper to the research room attendant at the end of the day. (a) Public access computers (workstations) are available for Internet use in all NARA research rooms. The number of workstations varies per location. We provide these workstations for research purposes on a first-come-first-served basis. When others are waiting to use the workstation, we may impose a 30-minute time limit on the use of the equipment. (b) You 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, you expressly consent to such monitoring and the reporting of unauthorized use to the proper authorities. (c) You may not use these workstations to gain access to entertainment or other inappropriate Web sites in our research rooms. You also may not use these workstations to conduct private business not related to your research or NARA holdings. (d) NARA provides at least one Internet access workstation in each facility that complies with the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, ensuring comparable accessibility to individuals with disabilities. (e) You may download information to a diskette and print materials, but the research room staff will furnish the diskettes and paper. You may not use personally owned diskettes on NARA personal computers. You may not load files or any type of software on these workstations.
Title 36: Parks, Forests, and Public Property
PART 1254—USING RECORDS AND DONATED HISTORICAL MATERIALS
Subpart B—Research Room Rules
General Procedures
§ 1254.20 What general policies apply in all NARA facilities where archival materials are available for research?
§ 1254.22 Do I need to register when I visit a NARA facility for research?
§ 1254.24 Whom does NARA allow in research rooms?
§ 1254.26 What can I take into a research room with me?
§ 1254.28 What items are not allowed in research rooms?
§ 1254.30 Does NARA provide any supplies?
§ 1254.32 What rules apply to public access use of the Internet on NARA-supplied computers?
Rules Relating to Using Original Documents
§ 1254.34 What are my responsibilities when using documents?
(a) You must sign for the documents you receive and we may require you to show your researcher identification card.
(b) You are responsible for the proper handling of and prevention of damage to all documents delivered to you until you return them. Specific handling instructions are given in §§1254.36 and 1254.38.
(c) When you finish using the documents, you must return them to the research room attendant.
(d) You must not remove the reference service slip that accompanies the documents to the research room.
(e) If we ask, you must return documents up to 15 minutes before closing time.
(f) Before leaving a research room, even for a short time, you must notify the research room attendant and place all documents in their proper containers.
§ 1254.36 What care must I take when handling documents?
To prevent damage to documents, we have rules relating to the physical handling of documents.
(a) You must use only pencils in research rooms where original documents are used.
(b) You must not lean on, write on, refold, trace, or otherwise handle documents in any way likely to cause damage.
(c) You must follow any additional rules that apply to the use of special media records at our facilities, such as wearing cotton gloves we provide you for handling still pictures and any original film-based materials.
(d) You must identify documents for reproduction only with a paper tab that we provide you. You must not use paper clips, rubber bands, self-stick notes or similar devices to identify documents.
(e) You must use exceptionally valuable or fragile documents only under conditions the research room attendant specifies.
(f) You must request that research room personnel unstaple or remove other fasteners from documents that cannot otherwise be read.
(g) If you notice damage to any document(s), notify the research room attendant immediately.
§ 1254.38 How do I keep documents in order?
(a) You must keep unbound documents in the order in which we deliver them to you.
(b) You must not attempt to rearrange documents that appear to be in disorder. Instead, you must refer any suspected problems with the records to the research room attendant.
(c) You may use only one folder at a time.
(d) Remove documents from only one container at a time.
§ 1254.40 How does NARA prevent removal of documents?
(a) You must not remove documents from a research room. Removing, mutilating, or revising or otherwise altering documents is forbidden by law and is punishable by fine or imprisonment or both (18 U.S.C. 2071).
(b) Upon leaving the research room or facility, you must present for examination any article that could contain documents or microfilm, as well as presenting copies or notes to ensure that no original records are mixed in with them.
(c) To ensure that no one unlawfully removes or mutilates documents, NARA may post at the entrance to research rooms instructions supplementing the rules in this part. These instructions are specific to the kinds of records you use or to the facility where the records are stored.
Rules Relating to Using Microfilm
§ 1254.42 What are the rules that apply to using self-service microfilm?
NARA makes available microfilm copies of many records on a self-service basis.
(a) When microfilm is available on a self-service basis, research room attendants assist you in identifying research sources on microfilm and provide information concerning how to locate and retrieve the roll(s) of film containing the information of interest. You are responsible for retrieving and examining the roll(s).
(b) Unless you require assistance in learning how to operate microfilm reading equipment or have a disability, we expect you to install the microfilm on the reader, rewind it when finished, remove it from the reader, and return it to the proper microfilm box. You must carefully remove from and return to the proper microfilm boxes rewound microfilm. You must take care when loading and unloading microfilm from microfilm readers. Report damaged microfilm to the research room attendant as soon you discover it.
(c) Unless we make an exception, you may use only one roll of microfilm at a time.
(d) After using each roll, you must return the roll of microfilm to the location from which you removed it, unless we otherwise instruct you.
(e) You should bring to the attention of the research room attendant any microfilm you find in the wrong box or file cabinet.
§ 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. When other researchers are waiting to use a microfilm reader, we may place a 3-hour limit on using a reader. After 3 hours of machine use, you may sign the waiting list for an additional 3-hour period. For fire safety reasons, we may limit the number of researchers in the microfilm research room in the National Archives Building to those researchers assigned a microfilm reader.
(b) Archival operations directors at our regional archives may permit reservations for use of microfilm readers and set time limits on use to meet local circumstances.
Other Conduct Rules
§ 1254.46 Are there other rules of conduct that I must follow?
(a) Part 1280 specifies conduct rules for all NARA facilities. You must also obey any additional rules supplementing Subpart B of part 1254 that are posted or distributed by the facility director.
(b) You may not eat, drink, chew gum, smoke, or use smokeless tobacco products, or use a cell phone, pager, or similar communications device that emits sound signals in a research room. Communications devices must be in vibrate mode. You must make and receive telephone calls outside of research rooms.
(c) We prohibit loud talking and other activities likely to disturb other researchers.
§ 1254.48 When does NARA revoke research privileges?
(a) Behaviors listed in paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(4) of this section may result in NARA denying or revoking research privileges.
(1) Refusing to follow the rules and regulations of a NARA facility;
(2) Demonstrating by actions or language that you present a danger to documents or NARA property;
(3) Presenting a danger to other researchers, NARA or contractor employees, or volunteers; or
(4) Verbally or physically harassing or annoying other researchers, NARA or contractor employees, or volunteers.
(b) Denying or revoking research privileges means:
(1) We may deny or revoke your research privileges for up to 180 days;
(2) You lose research privileges at all NARA research rooms nationwide; and
(3) You lose your valid researcher identification card if you already have one.
(c) We notify all NARA facilities of the revocation of your research privileges.
(d) If we revoke your research privileges, we send you a written notice of the reasons for the revocation within 3 working days of the action.
§ 1254.50 Does NARA consider reinstating research privileges?
(a) You have 30 calendar days after the date of revocation to appeal the action in writing and seek reinstatement of research privileges. Mail your appeal to: Archivist of the United States, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740–6001.
(b) The Archivist has 30 calendar days from receipt of an appeal to decide whether to reinstate your research privileges and to respond to you in writing.
(c) If the Archivist upholds the revocation of privileges or if you do not appeal, you may request in writing reinstatement of research privileges no earlier than 180 calendar days from the date we revoked privileges. This request may include application for a new researcher identification card.
(d) Our reinstatement of research privileges applies to all research rooms.
(e) If we reinstate your research privileges, we issue you a card for a probationary period of 60 days. At the end of the probationary period, you may apply for a new, unrestricted identification card, which we issue to you if your conduct during the probationary period follows the rules of conduct in this part and in part 1280 of this chapter.
§ 1254.52 Can NARA extend the period of revoked research privileges?
(a) If the reinstatement of research privileges would pose a threat to the safety of persons, property, or NARA holdings, or if, in the case of a probationary identification card, you fail to comply with the rules of conduct for NARA facilities, we may extend the revocation of privileges for additional 180-day periods. We send you a written notice of an extension within 3 workdays of our decision to continue the revocation of research privileges.
(b) You have 30 calendar days after the decision to extend the revocation of research privileges to appeal the action in writing. Mail your appeal to the Archivist at the address given in §1254.50(a). The Archivist has 30 calendar days from receipt of your appeal to decide whether to reinstate your research privileges and to respond to you in writing.
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