President Approves $434 Million Budget for National Archives
Press Release · Friday, April 15, 2011

Washington, DC

Today, April 15, President Barack Obama signed the Department of Defense and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act of 2011. In general, the Act provides continued funding for federal agencies and programs at the Fiscal Year 2010 levels minus an across the board rescission of two-tenths of one percent; however, nearly every agency – including NARA – also experienced additional cuts to specific programs.

“During this time of budget austerity, we appreciate the funding that Congress provided to NARA’s core operations so that we can continue our same high standard of services to our researchers and the public. We now know the fiscal framework for the six months ahead. It’s up to us to make sure that we set the right priorities in spending for the dollars we've been allocated,” said David S. Ferriero, Archivist of the United States. “We will be facing difficult choices into the foreseeable future and that makes it all the more urgent that we make real progress towards the transformation of this agency. We need to find efficiencies across our national network of operations, we need to continuously adjust our processes and procedures to take advantage of advances in technology, and we need to put our customers at the center of what we do – from the records managers of agencies to the students in the classroom. This budget will also permit us to complete the remaining development of the Electronic Records Archives by September 30, 2011 so that the growing volume of “born digital” records can be safely archived for access today and tomorrow.”

Highlights of NARA’s FY 2011 budget include:

Operating Expenses: $339,090,000, which is the same level as FY 2010 minus the across the board rescission.

Electronic Records Archives (ERA): $71,856,000, the amount of funding necessary to complete ERA development by September 30, 2011. Mike Wash, newly appointed Chief Information Officer, expressed his belief that NARA can achieve its objectives with the funds appropriated. “I am pleased that Congress and the President have provided sufficient resources to complete ERA development this year – so that more agencies can begin using ERA in FY 2012.”

Repairs and Renovations at NARA-owned facilities: $11,824,000. In addition to providing a base budget for repairs and renovations at NARA facilities nationwide, this budget will permit collaboration with the Foundation for the National Archives to create the National Archives Experience, Phase 2, an improved visitor and researcher space at NARA’s flagship facility in Washington, DC.

The National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC), the grant-making arm of the Archives, will receive $6,986,000 (down from last year’s $13,000,000), allowing for continued support of programs to preserve and access historical records and to publish important papers and documents of the nation.

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For Press information, contact the National Archives Public Affairs staff at 202-357-5300.

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