NARA requests comments on draft Appraisal Guidelines for Federal Research and Development Records

• Date:   Mon, 14 Mar 2005 10:41:19 -0500
• To:  sthc-l@lists.ucla.edu
• From:   Cheryl StadelBevans   < cheryl.stadel AT nara.gov >
• Subject:   NARA requests comments on draft Appraisal Guidelines for Federal Research and Development Records
• Message-ID:   s2356a59.017@smtp.nara.gov

NARA is seeking public comment on the draft Appraisal Guidelines for Federal Research 
and Development Records, published in the March 14, 2005 Federal Register at 
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-4940.pdf

Comments are due by April 28. Please send your comments to comments@nara.gov 

Following is additional background information.

The Strategic Plan of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) states 
that NARA will ensure ready access to essential evidence that documents the rights 
of American citizens, the actions of Federal officials, and the national experience. 
The NARA Appraisal Policy (found at http://www.archives.gov/records_management/initiatives/appraisal.html) 
sets out the strategic framework, objectives, and guidelines that the National Archives and 
Records Administration uses to determine whether Federal records have archival value. It 
also provides more specific guidelines for appraising the continuing historical value of 
certain categories of records. 

The draft guidelines at the end of the Federal Register notice concern appraisal of 
research and development (R&D) records. They aim to assist NARA staff in more effectively 
appraising NARA records by identifying considerations that need to be taken into 
account in determining the value of such records. They also serve to acquaint the 
records management community, scientists, engineers and managers of R&D operations in 
Federal agencies, and others with an interest in R&D records, of the standards NARA 
uses in determining which R&D records have sufficient value to warrant eventual transfer 
to the National Archives of the United States. 

NARA met in November 2003 with agency scientists and representatives of the scientific 
community to discuss the R&D work process and the appraisal of R&D records. In summer 2004 
NARA conducted a series of site visits to Federal agency R&D facilities to review 
research and development records and discuss their creation, use, and disposition with 
scientists, engineers and managers. With this assistance from the R&D stakeholder community, 
NARA has developed these draft guidelines.

Posted by:
Nancy Allard
Policy and Communications Staff
NARA


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