Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

NARA 101, PART 9. Legislative Archives, Presidential Libraries, and Museum Services

ORGANIZATION

1. Executive for Legislative Archives, Presidential Libraries, and Museum Services

Ensures delivery of efficient, effective world-class services and products relating to –
1. Congressional and legislative branch records maintained and serviced by the Center for Legislative Archives;
2. White House liaison activities, including courtesy storage for incumbent Presidential and Vice Presidential records and artifacts, White House records management and transition issues, and special access requests made under the Presidential Records Act (PRA);
3. Exhibits, educational and public programs, and visitor services across Legislative Archives, Presidential Libraries, and Museum Services;
4. Archival policy and practices across Legislative Archives, Presidential Libraries, and Museum Services, including preservation, processing, description, access review, reference, and disposal; and
5. Museum policy and practices across Legislative Archives, Presidential Libraries, and Museum Services, including artifact management, collections, and loan policies.
Provides executive leadership to ensure coordination among the Director for Presidential Libraries, the Director, Center for Legislative Archives, and the division directors.
Supports national education, exhibits, and public programming initiatives developed and presented by the Presidential Libraries, the Center for Legislative Archives, and the Museum Programs Division.
Ensures that the “open NARA” principle of seeking input and participation from stakeholders and customers (internal and external) is actively pursued, and that the input is considered in making decisions.
Ensures office coordination and direction by consulting and collaborating with staff, managers, and colleague executives across NARA, as well as the Archivist, the Deputy Archivist, the Chief Operating Officer (COO), and the Chief of Management and Administration (CMA). Evaluates feedback from key subordinates and considers evaluation reports from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), NARA’s Inspector General (OIG), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and other relevant bodies.
Participates in NARA executive teams, shaping NARA’s strategic direction and producing practical and creative high-level approaches to address matters such as: agency-wide aligned outcomes/goals and priorities, customer- and stakeholder-focused needs and expectations, internal change management, workplace culture, outreach and relationship-building, “one-voice” communication, and problem resolution.

2. Chief of Staff

Develops Executive-level operational plans in consultation with the Executive, COO’s Accountability staff, and division directors; coordinates as needed with other NARA offices in support of program objectives; and serves as the office’s administrative unit keeping official program files reflecting the overall program. Facilitates communication and workplace culture activities across Legislative Archives, Presidential Libraries, and Museum Services.
Plans, directs, and coordinates the administrative, training, and support functions of Legislative Archives, Presidential Libraries, and Museum Services.
Performs overall office-level administrative and training support services, including procurement, scheduling of training, and coordination of Legislative Archives, Presidential Libraries, and Museum Services’ interests with other NARA offices on facility, space, personnel, and financial matters.
Develops, coordinates, and monitors planning activities for its operating work plan and for NARA’s annual performance plan, and develops procedures for tracking its performance.
Coordinates Legislative Archives, Presidential Libraries, and Museum Services’ management internal controls program.

3. Director, Center for Legislative Archives

The Director leads the activities and programs of the Center as described below in this section, and develops, coordinates, and monitors overall plans, programs, and resource allocations for the Center in coordination with the support of the Chief of Staff.
The Center serves as the repository for the official records of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, which remain in the permanent legal custody of the House of Representatives and Senate, respectively; and maintains and services records of legislative branch agencies and commissions.
The Center reports to and implements the mandates, recommendations, and guidelines established by the Advisory Committee on the Records of Congress pursuant to the Committee’s authorizing legislation codified at 44 U.S.C. chapter 27.
1. Center serves as the administrative secretariat for the committee, providing administrative services and travel arrangements.
2. Center reports twice a year to the committee at its biannual meetings, providing formal mid-year and annual reports on Center resources, programs, activities, accomplishments, and challenges.
3. Center assists in the drafting of the committee’s published reports (issued on a six-year cycle), reporting Center performance and results on the committee’s mandates and recommendations.
Center’s Archival Programs
1. At the request of the House and Senate Archivists, Center staff assists in the appraisal of textual and electronic records of the House and Senate. Staff also assists NARA Agency Services staff in the appraisal of legislative branch agency and commission records.
2. At the request of the House and Senate Archivists, Center staff plans, coordinates, and tracks the transfer of textual and electronic records from the House and Senate to the Center.
3. Establishes safe, secure, and protected control of House and Senate records; access is restricted to Center staff only.
4. Identifies, locates, and delivers closed, sensitive House and Senate records to the appropriately designated committee staff in a timely manner to support the current business of the U.S. Congress.
5. Performs holdings maintenance and preservation activities on the textual and electronic records of the House and Senate; all major preservation treatments must be approved by the Clerk of the House of Representatives or Secretary of the Senate, as appropriate.
6. Administers restrictions on access to House committee records following the provisions of House Rule VII. Complex requests and access issues are referred to the Clerk of the House of Representatives for final determination.
7. Administers restrictions on access to Senate committee records following the provision of Senate Resolution 474 (96th Congress). Complex requests and access issues are referred to Senate committee chairs for final determination.
8. Procures, administers, and operates the local version of the Congressional Records Instance of the Electronic Records Archive (CRI-ERA) to transfer, ingest, verify, and process the electronic records of the House and Senate. Maintains compatibility, common functionalities, and communication linkages with the remotely stored version of CRI-ERA.
9. Provides public reference service on the open records of the House, Senate, and legislative branch agencies and commissions to researchers.
10. Coordinates the declassification of Congressional committee records and legislative branch agency records with the National Declassification Center.
11. Consults with legislative branch agencies and commissions to establish access provisions for their records as they are not subject to the Freedom of Information Act.
12. Describes House and Senate records holdings for public access.
13. Working with the Executive for Legislative Archives, Presidential Libraries and Museum Services, collaborates with the Office of Innovation in the areas of description, digitization, public access, web, social media, etc.
14. Works closely with the Director of Archival Operations to ensure application of NARA’s archival policies for the Center for Legislative Archives’ archival holdings.
Center’s Exhibition Program
1. Center staff serves on the exhibition content team for the Capitol Visitor Center. The team is chaired by Capitol Visitor Center staff in the Architect of the Capitol’s Office, and includes staff from the Senate Historian’s Office, House Historian’s Office, and the Library of Congress. The team identifies thematic emphases for CVC exhibits, selects documents for display, and drafts content. All exhibit content must be approved by the Capitol Preservation Commission, which is an 18 member bipartisan and bicameral commission composed of the top leaders in the House and Senate. All loans of House and Senate records for exhibition purposes must be approved by the Clerk of the House of Representatives or the Secretary of the Senate, as appropriate.
2. Collaborates with staff in Museum Programs and Presidential Libraries in a national exhibits program.
Center’s Educational and Public Programs
1. Center staff performs outreach activities and services to disseminate House and Senate records that document the history of Congress and representative government, through the presentation of educational workshops, public lectures, and web and print publications for the general public, members of Congress, educators and educational institutions, students, and scholars. The Center partners with the House and Senate Historical Offices, fellow members of the Association of Centers for the Study of Congress, other congressionally-oriented groups and associations, and educational institutions on public programs and educational projects consistent with its mission to expand public understanding of Congress and the history of representative government.
2. Collaborates with staff in Museum Programs and Presidential Libraries in a national education program.

4. Director for Presidential Libraries

On behalf of the Executive, provides strategic vision and leadership to the Presidential Libraries. Works closely with Museum Programs, Archival Operations, and the Library Directors to support NARA’s archival, museum, education, and public programming initiatives and to foster a collaborative culture across the Libraries. Is responsible for ensuring a system-wide approach to the implementation of these initiatives.
Serves as the supervisor for Library Directors and supports the Library Directors in executing their responsibilities as outlined in part 6. Ensures accountability for the execution of these functions system-wide.
With the support of the Chief of Staff, develops, coordinates, and monitors overall plans, programs, and resource allocations for the Presidential Libraries. Supports Library Directors in the implementation of policies and procedures developed for the management and operation of Presidential Libraries.
Serves as NARA’s primary liaison to Presidential Library Foundations, ensuring consistent communication of NARA’s archival, museum, education, and public programming initiatives. Supports Library Directors in fostering strong Foundation relationships.
Works with Presidential Library Directors and NARA’s General Counsel to develop and finalize agreements between the Libraries and Presidential Foundations. Brings a strategic vision to the development of formal agreements and ensures consistency across the Presidential Library System as agreements are finalized.
Collaborates on agency-wide initiatives involving archives, museum, education, and public programming. Works with Museum Programs, Archival Operations, and the White House Liaison to ensure that Presidential Libraries are represented in office-wide initiatives and provides a unified voice for Presidential Libraries.
Continually explores new models to preserve and promote access to Presidential records and artifacts. Serves as the NARA liaison to Presidential Foundations.
Working with the Director of Archival Operations, ensures individual Presidential Libraries meet their archival processing and review goals. Working with Director of Museum Operations, ensures individual Presidential Libraries meet artifact inventory requirements.
Works with the Director of Archival Operations and the Director of Museum Programs in developing policies and procedures for the management and operation of Presidential Libraries as appropriate. Assists the Executive in the development, coordination, and monitoring of overall plans, programs, and resource allocations for the Presidential Libraries.
Works with the Director of Museum Programs to coordinate system-wide education, museum, and public programs to advance the Presidential Libraries’ ability to use its holdings for the support of civic education. Coordinates multi-library exhibit and conference programming in support of the Presidential Libraries. Ensures a unified vision in Library public programming.
Serves as a representative of NARA and Presidential Libraries in the larger museum and education community and facilitates the National Archives’ and Presidential Libraries’ cooperative efforts with these institutions.
Enables gathering of the Presidential Library Directors Council, ensuring creation of meeting agendas, schedules, and minutes.

5. Director of Archival Operations

Working closely with the Presidential Libraries, White House Liaison, and the Center for Legislative Archives, ensures cohesive archival practices across Legislative Archives, Presidential Libraries, and Museum Services, including preservation, processing, description, access review, reference, and disposal. Develops archival policy for Legislative Archives, Presidential Libraries, and Museum Services and has oversight for ensuring archival policy is followed in all Legislative Archives, Presidential Libraries, and Museum Services custodial units.
In support of and in collaboration with the Director for Presidential Libraries and the Presidential Library Directors, plans and coordinates a comprehensive program for the acquisition, storage, preservation, processing, review, description, access to, and disposal of Presidential records, Federal records, and donated historical materials (including artifacts) in the Presidential Libraries.
Coordinates archival training for the Presidential Libraries and the Center for Legislative Archives, including the Archivist Development Program. Works collaboratively with the White House Liaison to provide specific training for Presidential Records Act, Freedom of Information Act, Presidential Recordings and Materials Preservation Act, and deed -of -gift access review.
Serves as the Legislative Archives, Presidential Libraries, and Museum Services liaison to the Holdings Protection and Recovery Staff and ensures that Office archival units are following NARA policies, procedures, and regulations concerning protection of holdings, particularly specially protected holdings.
Establishes reference and research room policy for Legislative Archives, Presidential Libraries, and Museum Services archival units. Works closely with Presidential Libraries and the Center for Legislative Archives to provide support in implementing reference and research room policy.
Serves as the Legislative Archives, Presidential Libraries, and Museum Services representative on the NARA FOIA Council, coordinates Office-wide administrative FOIA program, and works with NGC on FOIA policy.
In support of and collaboration with the Director for Presidential Libraries, the Presidential Library Directors, and the National Declassification Center (NDC), plans and coordinates a comprehensive program to manage, review and declassify security classified materials in the Presidential Libraries and in Archival Operations. As classified materials are consolidated and transferred to the NDC, serves as the liaison to the NDC to facilitate transfer of declassification responsibilities of Presidential Records. Coordinates with the Director of the NDC to arrange for the return declassified materials to the Libraries.
Directs the storage, preservation, servicing, access to, and processing of records in the custodial control of Archival Operations.

6. Director, White House Liaison Division

Plans, directs and coordinates a comprehensive program for courtesy storage of Presidential records and other historical materials and artifacts, created or received by the incumbent Presidential administration, pending their transfer to an authorized NARA facility.
Provides assistance to White House Staff and officials on records creation, management, and disposition and conducts training to improve records management practices.
Develops and coordinates plans for meeting NARA’s responsibilities under the Presidential Records Act for present and future Presidents in close coordination with the White House and other interested parties.
Gives advice and assists in formulating and recommending access policy and review guidance to the Presidential Libraries working in conjunction with the Executive, the Director of Archival Operations, the Director for Presidential Libraries, and NARA’s General Counsel.
Oversees the processing of special access requests for Presidential records. Works directly with NARA’s General Counsel, White House Counsel, the representatives of the former Presidents and Vice Presidents, the Director of Archival Operations, the Director for Presidential Libraries, and the Presidential Records Act Library Directors regarding access to Presidential and Vice Presidential records. Implements the required notification requirements of the Presidential Records Act (PRA), EO 13489, and NARA’s applicable regulations.
Coordinates with the White House on the movement of all Presidential records and artifacts at the end of the Administration. Directs the move staff assigned for this purpose, including serving as the liaison with the military staff or any agency that assists with this function.
Leads NARA’s efforts in working with the White House to proactively move towards a digital environment for incumbent Presidential records. Provides guidance and support to White House staff on records management issues related to transitioning to a digital government.

7. Presidential Library Directors

Perform the following functions for the libraries listed in paragraph 9:

In accordance with applicable laws and regulations, appraises Presidential and Federal records in their custody to determine whether they have or will continue to have sufficient value to warrant preservation by the U.S. Government and recommends appropriate disposition action for approval by the Archivist.
Solicits, negotiates, and reviews offers to donate documents or other historical materials, determines whether it is in the public interest to accept them for deposit, and recommends appropriate action for approval by the Archivist.
Accepts for deposit, or affects the transfer of, records and other historical materials that have been determined by the Archivist to have sufficient value to warrant continued preservation.
Disposes of records and other historical materials in accordance with applicable laws and regulations and the terms of deeds of gift.
Reviews Presidential records, Federal records, and donated historical materials for national security, statutory, and when applicable, donor’s deeds of gift restrictions on access.
Services records and other historical materials by furnishing the records or materials, or information from them, or copies of them, to U.S. Government agencies and the public.
Operates research rooms for public or U.S. Government agency use of records and other historical materials or copies thereof.
Reviews and responds to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, mandatory review requests and appeals, and appeals for access to records and other historical materials restricted by donor’s deeds of gift.
Establishes physical and management control over the records, including the storage, arrangement, and security of records and other historical materials and the space housing them.
Inspects records and other historical materials to determine the state of their preservation; identifies those requiring preservation and repair or reproduction; determines the appropriate treatment; and carries out appropriate measures on site or arranges for appropriate treatment by another NARA unit, or by contract.
Analyzes records and other historical materials to understand the origins, filing systems, content, technical and legal problems, and uses; prepares descriptive guides, lists, inventories, and other finding aids; and performs research in the administrative history of Presidential administrations.
Plans and conducts programs for the documentary publication of records and other historical materials.
Plans and conducts oral history projects relating to the holdings of the library.
Exhibits records and other historical materials and participates in NARA’s national exhibits program.
Develops joint exhibit projects internally and externally to NARA, partnering with organizations to advance the mission of the Presidential Library and Museum. Develops traveling exhibits.
Serves as a representative of NARA in the larger museum community and facilitates NARA's cooperative efforts with these institutions.
Loans materials to other NARA units and to institutions external to NARA that meet NARA standards for display.
Develops, provides, and promotes public and educational programs that provide for greater understanding and use of NARA's cultural services and educational resources and services by educational and research institutions and the general public.
Develops education programs with a local, regional, national, and international impact. Supports online educational and outreach tools and initiatives, including the use of social media and remote participation using video teleconferencing and webcasting.
Recruits and trains volunteers for in-service and outreach programs.
Operates a museum, a museum shop, and sells publications and historical mementos.
Manages deposits to and expenditures from the library's National Archives Trust Fund account.
Administers the day-to-day facilities management program of the library in coordination with the Office of Presidential Libraries, and major renovation and restoration projects in coordination with the Office of Presidential Libraries and Business Support Services.
Develops and administers the local program for the efficient operation of the library in an emergency, including the self-protection program for civil defense, fire prevention, and building safety.
Collaborates with staff and managers across NARA on common practice and support for records management and archival issues including the declassification of records and access and use issues.
Serves as lead on maintaining relationships with respective Presidential Foundation, Institute or Association, representing NARA’s interests. Collaborates with Foundation on joint programming and initiatives to advance the Presidential Library and Museum.
Serves as a representative of the Presidential Library and NARA to community groups, as well as national and international audiences. Representation spans scope of Presidential Library to include archives and research, museum, education, and public programming.
Collaborates with the Office of Innovation in the areas of description, digitization, public access, web, social media, etc.

8. Richard Nixon Library

In addition to the functions listed under paragraph. 7, Presidential Library Directors, the Richard Nixon Library, with support by the National Declassification Center, in accordance with Pub. L. 93-526, 88 Stat. 1695, as affected by existing court orders and as implemented by regulations issued by the Archivist:
Inspects Nixon Presidential materials to determine the state of their preservation; identifies those requiring preservation and repair or reproduction; determines the appropriate treatment; and carries out appropriate measures on site or arranges for appropriate treatment by another NARA unit, or by contract.
In accordance with the Presidential Recordings and Materials Preservation Act regulations governing Nixon materials and legal settlement, reviews for national security and statutory restrictions on access and materials to be returned to the Nixon estate.
Disposes of Nixon Presidential materials in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

9. Existing Presidential Libraries and Museums

Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum
Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum
Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum
Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library and Museum
Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum
George Bush Presidential Library and Museum
William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum
George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum
Barack H. Obama Presidential Library

10. Presidential Libraries’ Director’s Council

Chaired by the Archivist, consists of the Deputy Archivist, the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief of Management and Administration, the Executive for Legislative Archives, Presidential Libraries, and Museum Services, the Director for Presidential Libraries, and all Presidential Library Directors. This council is a forum for the directors to discuss opportunities and concerns, and to participate in creating and implementing library strategies and initiatives.

11. Director of Museum Programs

Develops and implements a strategic vision for exhibits, education, public programs, and visitor services across Legislative Archives, Presidential Libraries, and Museum Services. Works closely with the Director for Presidential Libraries, Presidential Library Directors, White House Liaison, the Director for the Center for Legislative Archives, and other interested parties to ensure cohesive museum practices. Develops museum and artifact collection policy for Legislative Archives, Presidential Libraries, and Museum Services and has oversight for ensuring that policies are followed.
Leads a defined, coordinated, and unified national education program for NARA, fostering K-12 and post-secondary educational programming as well as educational experiences for the general public.
Supports initiatives and management of educational services and products produced by the Museum Programs staff in Washington DC and at field locations,.
Collaborates and coordinates with the Director for Presidential Libraries, the Presidential Library Directors and their staffs, and the Center for Legislative Archives to achieve NARA’s national education program goals. Collaborates and coordinates with Research Services staff in shared support of outreach and education programs and archival access.
Collaborates with Research Services staff to identify records useful in outreach programming and to conduct educational programming of interest to educators, students, and the general public.
Develops and manages the programs of the William G. McGowan Theater, including the scheduling of film and author-lecture programs and special events.
Manages the Boeing Learning Center including the ReSource Room and the Learning Lab as well as workshops and training for teachers at sites across the country.
Develops and manages the development of online tools for teachers and students as well as videoconferences and other remote training opportunities.
Manages NARA’s volunteer program in Washington, DC and College Park, MD, which provides extensive resources in support of NARA's archival work, customer service, and public programs, through local program coordinators.
Promotes and publicizes NARA and its educational and cultural services to educational and research institutions and similar organizations through a variety of means including public lectures, scholarly conferences and symposia, open houses and tours, film festivals, presentations at historical archival and genealogical organization meetings, social media, special events and education workshops. Collaborates with the regions for assistance, expertise, contacts, and resources supporting nationwide coordination of these services.
Serves as a representative of NARA in the larger education community and facilitates NARA’s collaborations with similar institutions.
Leads a defined, coordinated, and unified national exhibit program for NARA. Establishes strategy and supporting policy for NARA’s exhibit program. Develops, establishes, and ensures implementation of exhibit development policy for Legislative Archives, Presidential Libraries, and Museum Services.
Initiates and manages exhibits (including traveling exhibits) and museum visitor services produced by exhibits staff in Washington, DC and NARA field locations.
Collaborates and coordinates with the Director for Presidential Libraries and the Presidential Library Directors and their staffs, and the Director of the Center for Legislative Archives to achieve NARA’s national exhibits program goals.
Collaborates and coordinates with Research Services staff in shared support of exhibit programs and archival access and with Preservation Programs staff within Research Services for expert advice and assistance on the care and control of artifacts.
Develops and maintains the National Archives Museum in Washington, DC. Manages the signage program in the public lobbies; ensures the continuing intellectual and physical integrity of the exhibits in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom and the Public Vaults; prepares or rents exhibits for the Lawrence F. O'Brien gallery; assists other NARA units in the preparation of exhibits.
Develops and establishes artifact management policy for all Legislative Archives, Presidential Libraries, and Museum Services custodial units. Works with these artifact custodial units in ensuring that NARA’s regulations regarding care of holdings are enforced.
Establishes office-wide loan policies and procedures and supports all custodial units in ensuring that loans are approved and handled in accordance with official policy. Manages the exhibit loan registration program (except for the Presidential Libraries) including loans to other NARA units and outside organizations; coordinates review and approval of exhibit loan requests; documents exhibit history of federal and legislative records, ensures that NARA standards are upheld in the exhibition of original records, and develops traveling exhibits available to other NARA units and to outside organizations. Loans to originating agencies are the responsibility of custodial units, unless loans are for exhibit purposes.
Establishes service standards for the National Archives Museum, and works closely with Business Support Services to effectively maintain a secure, clean and safe environment for visitors. Coordinates planning and scheduling of public space and equipment use, and for building services with both the Strategy and Communications Office and Business Support Services.
Collaborates with the Strategy and Communications Office to assist in NARA’s oversight of interests in exhibit contracts underwritten by the National Archives Foundation.
Serves as a representative of NARA in the larger exhibits community and facilitates NARA’s collaborations with similar institutions.
Directs the storage, preservation, servicing, access to, and processing of artifacts in the custodial control of Museum Programs.

DELEGATION OF AUTHORITIES

Authorities Delegated to the Executive for Legislative Archives, Presidential Libraries and Museum Services by the Archivist

12. Accession and Transfers/Accept Records and Donated Historical Materials

Solicit, negotiate terms of transfer, and assume physical custody of donated historical materials of any President of the United States, any Vice President of the United States and of any official or former official of the U.S. Government and other contemporary papers relating to the President or former President of the United States, and from other private sources, and administer any restrictions agreed to upon transfer or accession of such papers and materials (44 U.S.C. 2111; and 2111 note 2203(f)(1); 2204). This authority is redelegated to the Director for Presidential Libraries, who may redelegate to the Presidential Library Directors; and the Director of Archival Operations.
Approve agreements for acquiring legal custody of donated historical materials of any President of the United States, any Vice President of the United States and of any official or former official of the U.S. Government and other contemporary historical materials relating to the President or former President of the United States and from other private sources (44 U.S.C. 2111; and 2111 note 2203(f)(1); 2204). This authority is redelegated to the Director for Presidential Libraries. The Archivist’s approval is also required in cases of special terms of access or custody, or in high profile cases as determined by the Executive for Legislative Archives, Presidential Libraries and Museum Services.
Assume custody and control of Presidential and Vice-Presidential records at the conclusion of an incumbent's last consecutive term of office, transfer the records to an appropriate archival depository, provide for their preservation and archival processing, and establish means for public access thereto (44 U.S.C. 2203(f); 2204; 2207). The authority to preserve, process, and establish means for public access is redelegated to the Director for Presidential Libraries, the White House Liaison, the Presidential Library Directors, and the Director of Archival Operations.
Accept for deposit with the National Archives of the United States records of the Congress determined by the Archivist to have sufficient historical value to warrant their continued preservation (44 U.S.C. 2107(1)). This authority is redelegated to the Director, Center for Legislative Archives, and is limited to records scheduled for deposit with the National Archives of the United States.
Accept for deposit from private sources documents and other materials, including motion pictures, still pictures, sound and video recordings, that are appropriate for preservation by the U.S. Government pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 2107(4), 2111(a), and 2111(2). This authority is redelegated to the Center for Legislative Archives, in consultation with Records Management Services and the DC Metro Access Coordinator; also may be redelegated to the Library Directors. The Archivist’s approval is also required in cases of special terms of access or custody, or in high profile cases as determined by the Executive for Legislative Archives, Presidential Libraries and Museum Services.

13. Appraisal

Accession into the National Archives of the United States records of the U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives and the Joint Committees of Congress that the Archivist has determined have sufficient historical or other value to warrant their continued preservation (44 U.S.C. 2107(1), (2)). This authority is redelegated to the Director of the Center for Legislative Archives, and is subject to the orders of the Senate or the House of Representatives, depending on the records involved (44 U.S.C. 2118).
Review previously unappraised records included in disposition lists and schedules and recommend to the Archivist disposal of those that do not or will not, after the period specified, have sufficient administrative, legal, research, or other value to warrant their continued preservation by the U.S. Government (44 U.S.C. 3303a(a)). This authority is redelegated to the Director of the Center for Legislative Archives.
Review and make a recommendation to the Archivist concerning the proposed disposal request for Presidential or Vice-Presidential records of an incumbent (44 U.S.C. 2203 (c), (d), (e); 2207). This authority is retained by the Executive for Legislative Archives, Presidential Libraries and Museum Services and may not be redelegated.
Recommend to the Archivist the disposal of Presidential and Vice Presidential records in NARA’s legal custody that have insufficient administrative, historical, information, or evidentiary value to warrant continued preservation (44 U.S.C. 2203(f)(3); 2207). This authority is redelegated to the Presidential Library Directors for Presidential Records Act libraries, subject to the concurrence of the Director for Presidential Libraries and the Executive for Legislative Archives, Presidential Libraries and Museum Services.
Recommend to the Archivist the disposal of personal papers and other historical materials of any President of the United States, any Vice President of the United States and of any official or former official of the U.S. Government and other contemporary papers relating to the President or former President of the United States and from other private sources (44 U.S.C. 2112 (c)). This authority is redelegated to the Director for Presidential Libraries and may be redelegated to the Presidential Library Directors, subject to the concurrence of the Executive for Legislative Archives, Presidential Libraries and Museum Services.

14. Access to Records and Donated Historical Materials

Impose restrictions on the use of records, papers, documents, or other historical materials transferred to NARA when those restrictions have been stated in writing by the transferring agency (for Federal records in keeping with the withholdings allowed by the Freedom of Information Act, 5USC 552(b) or for donor deeded papers in keeping with the donor deed of gift restrictions and concurred in by the Archivist (44 U.S.C. 2111, 2112(c)). This authority is redelegated to the Director of Archival Operations, Director for Presidential Libraries, and the Presidential Library Directors.
Administer restrictions on access to Nixon Presidential Historical Materials in accordance with the Presidential Recordings and Materials Preservation Act, (44 USC 2111 note) and the Nixon Regulations (36 C.F.R. 1275). This authority is redelegated to Director for Presidential Libraries who may redelegate it to the Director of the Nixon Presidential Library and Museum.
c. Administer restrictions on access to Presidential and Vice-Presidential records based on restrictions imposed by the President or Vice-President in accordance with requirements of the Presidential Records Act of 1978 (44 U.S.C. 2204; 2207). Also administer exemptions on access to Presidential and Vice Presidential records in keeping with the Freedom of Information Act as it is incorporated into the Presidential Records Act, 44 USC 2204. This authority is redelegated to the Director of Archival Operations, the White House Liaison, and the Director for Presidential Libraries and may be redelegated to the Presidential Library Directors for Presidential Records Act libraries.
d. Downgrade and declassify classified information transferred or accessioned into the National Archives of the United States with delegated guidance or declassification authority from originating equity-holding agency in accordance with the requirements of E.O.13526. This authority is redelegated to the Director of Archival Operations, the Director for Presidential Libraries, and the Directors of Presidential Libraries that house classified information. The review, downgrading, and declassification of White Houseoriginated national security information may be done only in consultation with the National Security Council and by personnel who are recommended by the Executive for Legislative Archives, Presidential Libraries and Museum Services, the Director for Presidential Libraries and the Presidential Library Directors, and specifically designated by the Archivist. Other national security-classified information may be reviewed, downgraded, and declassified only by personnel designated by the Executive for Legislative Archives, Presidential Libraries and Museum Services and with the authority of the original equity-holding agencies. All individuals must have been granted the necessary clearances by the NARA Personnel Security Officer or another clearance-granting agency.

15. Servicing Records and Donated Historical Materials

Preserve, arrange, repair, describe, rehabilitate, exhibit and service accessioned records, Presidential and Vice-Presidential records and donated materials; prepare and publish inventories, indexes, catalogs and other finding aids and provide for public access to these materials (44 U.S.C. 2109; 2110; 2112). This authority is redelegated to the Director of the Center for Legislative Archives (Congressional records), the White House Liaison, the Director of Archival Operations, and the Director for Presidential Libraries and the Presidential Library Directors (Presidential historical materials and Presidential records).

16. Implementation of Presidential Records and Materials Preservation Act

Assume custody and exercise control of all tape recordings, papers, documents, memorandums, transcripts, and other objects and materials that constitute the Nixon Presidential materials as defined in the Presidential Recordings and Materials Preservation Act and perform the duties and exercise the authorities of the Archivist as stated in Public Law 93526, 88 Stat. 1695, 44 U.S.C. 2111 note, as amended; 36 CFR CXII, Subchapter F. This authority is redelegated to the Director for Presidential Libraries and redelegated to the Director of the Richard M. Nixon Presidential Library and Museum. An opening of materials to public access must be approved by the Director for Presidential Libraries, the Executive for Legislative Archives, Presidential Libraries and Museum Services, General Counsel, and the Archivist in accordance with the regulations governing access to Nixon Presidential Historical Materials.

17. Other

Provide advice, counsel, and assistance to the heads of executive departments and agencies in the preparation, production, or the creation of exhibits and displays that are found to have future value for exhibition as part of the archival and cultural heritage of the United States; accept exhibits and preserve or dispose of accepted exhibits and displays of executive departments and agencies (44 U.S.C. 2109; E.O. 11440 of December 11, 1968). This authority is redelegated to the Director of the Center for Legislative Archives, the Director for Presidential Libraries, the White House Liaison, and the Directors of Archival Operations and Museum Programs.
Cooperate with and assist universities, institutions of higher learning, institutes, foundations, or other organizations or qualified individuals to conduct study or research in any historical materials deposited in a Presidential library or with Archival Operations (44 U.S.C. 2112(d)). This authority is redelegated to the Director for Presidential Libraries, the Presidential Library Directors, the Director of Archival Operations and the White House Liaison, subject to any limitations imposed by the deed of gift or other transfer document, and the restrictions contained in 36 CFR, CXII, Part 1256--Restrictions on the Use of Records.
Make and preserve motion-picture films, still pictures, and video, and sound recordings pertaining to and illustrative of the historical development of the U.S. Government and its activities, and release for nonprofit educational purposes motion-picture films, still pictures, and video, and sound recordings (44 U.S.C. 2114). This authority is redelegated to the Director of the Center for Legislative Archives, the Director for Presidential Libraries, the Presidential Library Directors, and the Directors of Archival Operations and Museum Programs. Production of audiovisual materials must be approved as part of the NARA product planning program.

18. General Administration

Accept and use voluntary and uncompensated personal services for NARA (44 U.S.C. 2105(d)). This authority is redelegated to the Director of the Center for Legislative Archives, the Director for Presidential Libraries, the White House Liaison, the Presidential Library Directors, and the Directors of Archival Operations and Museum Programs.
Solicit and accept gifts or bequests of money, securities, or other personal property, for the benefit of, or in connection with, the national archival and records activities administered by NARA (44 U.S.C. 2305). This authority is redelegated to the Director of the Center for Legislative Archives and the Director of Museum Programs. This delegation of authority is subject to the requirements of NARA 404, National Archives Gift Fund, and may not be redelegated.
Accept orders from other departments, establishments, bureaus, or offices for materials, supplies, equipment, work, or service (31 U.S.C. 1535). This authority is retained by the Executive for Legislative Archives, Presidential Libraries and Museum Services, and may not be redelegated.
Reproduce, authenticate and certify records or other documentary materials; certify as to facts and make administrative determinations on the basis of records transferred from other agencies when authority has been delegated by the transferring agency (44 U.S.C. 2109, 2901, 3104). This authority is redelegated to the Director of the Center for Legislative Archives, the Director for Presidential Libraries, the Director of Archival Operations, and the Presidential Library Directors.
Charge and collect fees for making or authenticating copies or reproductions of materials transferred to NARA and deposit such fees in the National Archives Trust Fund (44 U.S.2116(c)). This authority is redelegated to the Director of the Center for Legislative Archives, the Director for Presidential Libraries, the White House Liaison, the Director of Archival Operations, and the Presidential Library Directors.
Solicit and accept gifts and bequests of money or other property for the benefit of, or in connection with, the national archival and records activities administered by NARA, or for the purpose of maintaining, operating, protecting, or improving a Presidential archival depository (44 U.S.C. 2112 (g)(1)). This authority is redelegated to the Director for Presidential Libraries, and the Presidential Library Directors, subject to the requirements of NARA 404, National Archives Gift Fund.
Expend gifts, bequests, and the proceeds from sales of historical materials, copies or reproductions, catalogs, or other items, that have been paid into the library’s account in the National Archives Trust Fund (U.S.C. 2112 (g)(1)). This authority is redelegated to the Director for Presidential Libraries and Presidential Library Directors, subject to the requirements of NARA 404, National Archives Gift Fund.
Utilize the services of officials and personnel of other executive agencies, including the armed services, and with the consent of the agency concerned, to review for declassification purposes records and other papers and historical materials that are or may be deposited with NARA (44 U.S.C. 2105(d)). This authority is redelegated to the Director for Presidential Libraries, Director of Archival Operations, and the Presidential Library Directors.
Charge and collect reasonable fees for the privilege of visiting exhibit rooms or museums, or for the occasional, non-official use of rooms and spaces (and services related to such use) in Presidential libraries (i.e., rental authority) (44 U.S.C. 2112(e)). This authority is redelegated to the Director for Presidential Libraries, who may redelegate to the Presidential Library Directors.
Operate a museum shop and sell publications, historical materials, copies or reproductions, catalogs, and other items having to do with the Presidential library ((44 U.S.C. 2112(g)(1)). This authority is redelegated to the Director for Presidential Libraries and the Presidential Library Directors who operate museum shops.
Maintain, operate, and protect the land, facility and equipment of a Presidential archival depository. This authority is redelegated to the Director for Presidential Libraries and the Presidential Library Directors. The following limitations to this authority apply: day-to-day operation of a facility; oversight of approved alterations, additions, improvements, or preservation work on the facility; liaison with the Public Building Service (PBS), and service as the Government technical expert when directed to do so are redelegated to the Presidential Library Directors; (2) approval of alterations, additions, improvements, or preservation work paid for out of the Legislative Archives, Presidential Libraries, and Museum Services allocation is retained by the Archivist; and (3) office-wide renovation, restoration, or facility improvement planning is retained by the Executive for Legislative Archives, Presidential Libraries, and Museum Services. The Executive for Legislative Archives, Presidential Libraries, and Museum Services, exercises this authority with the aid of Business Support Services, which manages 117X funds, provides special expertise and liaison with PBS when necessary, and compiles and maintains a prioritized list of facility-related projects that is the basis for fund allocation.
Develop and administer the program for the efficient operation of NARA facilities in an emergency, including the self-protection program for civil defense, fire prevention, and building safety (44 U.S.C. 2112(a)(1)(A)(iii); (B)(ii). This authority is retained by the by the Executive for Legislative Archives, Presidential Libraries, and Museum Services and may be redelegated to the Presidential Library Directors. This authority is exercised in coordination with, and subject to review by, Business Support Services.
Approve expenditures for additions, improvements, alterations, or preservation of all NARA-leased, -owned, or -operated facilities (44 U.S.C. 2903). This authority is retained by the Executive for Legislative Archives, Presidential Libraries, and Museum Services, and may not be redelegated. Business Support Services may authorize a dollar limit.
Solicit and accept gifts or money for the benefit of naming spaces in a Presidential Library (44 U.S.C. 2112 (a)(1); 44 U.S.C. 2112 (g)(1). This authority is redelegated to the Director for Presidential Libraries and the Presidential Library Directors. Exercise of this authority is subject to the concurrence of the Executive for Legislative Archives, Presidential Libraries and Museum Services.

Top