The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) recently proposed a reduction in the number of hours that their research rooms are open to the public. These changes would eliminate evening and Saturday hours at the National Archives. Many genealogists who travel to Washington D.C. for research at the archives rely on these extended hours to conduct their research, and the loss of access on evenings and weekends will severely hamper their work.

Dr. Allen Weinstein, Archivist of the United States, attended the FGS/NEHGS 2006 Conference in Boston this week and addressed the Opening Session on Thursday. Concern over the proposed changes in the hours of operation was conveyed to Dr. Weinstein in a letter, from David Rencher, Chair of the Records Preservation and Access Committee. Committee members were informed that there has been very little response from genealogists regarding the cut in hours at the National Archives, and the deadline for comments is fast approaching.

To make your feelings known, please read (and sign) the online petition opposing these changes in access hours at the National Archives. The petition was begun at the FGS Genealogy Conference this past week in Boston, but you do not have to have attended the conference to add your name to the petition. This petition will be forwarded to the Regulations Comments Desk at NARA to let them know how the genealogical community feels about the National Archives!

http://www.petitiononline.com/FGS2006/petition.html