99-8878. Format for Notices of ``Records Schedules; Availability and Request for Comments''

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 68 (Friday, April 9, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 17494]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-8878]



[[Page 17493]]

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Part V





National Archives and Records Administration





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Format for Notices of ``Records Schedules; Availability and Request for 
Comments''; Notice



Records Schedules; Availability and Request for Comments; Notice

Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 68 / Friday, April 9, 1999 / 
Notices

[[Page 17494]]


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NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION


Format for Notices of ``Records Schedules; Availability and 
Request for Comments''

AGENCY: National Archives and Records Administration, Office of Records 
Services--Washington, DC.

ACTION: Request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) 
publishes notices at least once a month of pending records disposition 
schedules submitted by Federal agencies. Once approved by NARA, 
schedules provide mandatory instructions on what happens to records 
when no longer needed for current Government business. Schedules call 
for the permanent retention and eventual transfer to the National 
Archives of the United States of records that have historical or other 
research value. Most records, however, lack such value and are approved 
for destruction after a specified period.
    NARA began publishing Federal Register notices about schedules in 
1985. This process alerts members of the public to pending schedules in 
which they may have an interest. Members of the public may request 
copies of schedules and provide NARA with comments. Until recently, 
notices of pending schedules contained only the name of the agency 
which submitted the schedule, the NARA-assigned control number, and an 
extremely brief summary of the records proposed for destruction. In 
1998, NARA modified the format of notices. Notices now provide the 
total number of items covered by the schedule and the number of items 
proposed for disposal as well as more information concerning the types 
of records covered by the schedule. In addition, the explanatory 
information concerning the scheduling process included in each notice 
points out that NARA staff usually prepare appraisal memorandums 
concerning the records covered by a proposed schedule and that these 
too may be requested. (Our most recent notice of pending schedules is 
published elsewhere in this separate part of the Federal Register.)
    NARA seeks public comments so we can assess and improve the 
effectiveness of Federal Register notices. We are especially interested 
receiving input concerning the following questions:
    (1) Is the current format for notices, including the introductory 
material explaining the scheduling process, clear and easy to 
understand?
    (2) Is the information provided about individual schedules 
sufficient to alert readers to pending schedules in which they have an 
interest? If not, what additional information would you need?
    (3) Would it be easier for readers to locate notices of pending 
schedules if NARA were to publish such notices on only one specified 
day of the week?
    (4) Are there any other ways in which NARA can use the Federal 
Register process to enhance public input concerning pending schedules?

DATES: Comments must be received on or before July 8, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be sent electronically to 
[e-mail] (comments sent electronically must be in the 
body of the message or be in WordPerfect 6.1 or Word 6.0 if they are 
sent as attachments); by FAX to 301-713-6852; or by mail to Director, 
Life Cycle Management Division (NWML), National Archives and Records 
Administration, 8601 Adelphi Rd., College Park, MD 20740-6001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marie Allen, Director, Life Cycle 
Management Division (NWML), National Archives and Records 
Administration, 8601 Adelphi Rd., College Park, MD 20740-6001. 
Telephone: [phone]. E-mail: [e-mail].

    Dated: March 26, 1999.
Michael J. Kurtz,
Assistant Archivist for Records Services--Washington, DC.
[FR Doc. 99-8878 Filed 4-8-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7515-01-P