The National Archives recently announced that its library services in the Washington, DC area will be reduced in fiscal year 2012 as a result of the Obama administration’s mandate to federal agencies that they terminate or cut programs. The changes would go into effect when the new fiscal year begins on October 1, 2011.

At the National Archives Building in Washington, DC, the library will remain open with reduced staff. The published and online resources currently available will remain, including public access PCs, the book collection related to genealogy and U.S. and world history prior to World War I, and the U.S. Serial Set Digital Collection. These materials are heavily used by National Archives staff and researchers. However, no new materials will be purchased for the collection at this site.

The library at the National Archives at College Park also will remain open with

reduced staff. The government publications collection, the remainder of the general collection, and various online resources will remain. Book purchases and periodical subscriptions will be reduced from $12,000 to $2,000 a year. CREST, the CIA Records Search Tool, will continue to be available. Telephone, email, and letter reference request services for the public and staff will continue.

The library at the College Park facility will continue to remain a government documents depository library. These cuts do not affect the records that are part of Record Group 287, the records of the Government Printing Office, which continues to be administered under the auspices of NARA’s Center for Legislative Archives.

There are currently nine library staff members. Seven of those staff will be reassigned within the agency to fill existing vacancies; the remaining two will be assisted by research room personnel in operating the libraries.