|
|
|
|
APRIL 2000 |
 Archives
Moves to State-of-the-Art Facility
In April 2000 the public research operations of the State Archives
moved to new, expanded, and improved facilities in the Department
of State Building, at 225 West State Street, Level 2. Currently
only microfilm and frequently referenced collections are open at
the new facility, as our staff handles the complicated logistics
of moving all remaining collections into the main storage area.
All other collections will reopen later during summer 2000.
Mail
reference services, temporarily suspended during the move, have
resumed. However, to prevent a sizeable backlog, through September
30, 2000, the Archives will limit requests for birth, marriage and
death records to a total of three (3) per request.
For updated reports
on the status of the move, or for information concerning access
to specific collections and mail reference services, researchers
should contact the State Archives at (609) 292-6260, or check back
at our web site. Periodic notices will also be posted on the New
Jersey History listserv regarding services affected by the move.
View
our press
release about the opening of the new State Archive.
Increased storage capacity: The overall storage capacity
of the new State Archives has been roughly doubled, from 15,000
to 29,000 cubic feet. A combination of movable and stationary
shelving in the main stack area on the lower level of the building
holds up to 26,500 cubic feet of boxed and bound records. New
Jersey's most precious manuscripts are now housed in an enlarged
and improved vault. Storage space for maps and drawings, as
well as microfilm, has also be greatly improved and expanded
to better accommodate existing holdings and provide growth space
for additions.
Expanded public research areas: The Archives' public
search rooms on Level 2 are substantially larger than our previous
facility, accommodating the growing number of archives users.
The new facility has:
-
more
microfilm readers and printers,
-
80% more reading space for manuscript and book users,
-
a
public locker room, and
-
an
audio-visual/orientation room.
Staff Work Areas: Level 2 also houses the Archives'
staff offices and work areas. This allows for more efficient
processing of mail/e-mail reference requests, arrangement and
description of manuscript collections, preparation of publications,
and limited conservation work. The staff work area also includes
space for a photography/microfilming room.
Exhibit Hall and Book Store: Level 1 of the new facility,
includes a 1,200-square-foot exhibit hall for the State Archives,
which is intended for changing displays of documents and objects
on New Jersey history subjects. It also feature a bookstore
(BooksNJ, whose hours
of operation are temporarily suspended) offering New Jersey
history and genealogy resources, jointly by the State Archives
and the New Jersey Historical Commission.
 |
|
OCTOBER
2001 |
|
State
Historical Records Advisory Board
releases Strategic Plan
-
Plan addresses need to improve the care, use, and appreciation
of all New Jersey historical records
-
Part of two-year planning effort funded in part by the National
Historical Publications and Records Commission
|
|
JULY 2002 |
|
Open
Public Records Act (OPRA)
The Open
Public Records Act (OPRA) became effective on July 7, 2002.
This act has taken New Jersey from one of the States with the worst
access to public records laws to one of the best. In addition to
opening up public records, this law also established the Government
Records Council and the Privacy Commission. For more information
please visit the Department of State's OPRA
Webpage.
|
| Contact
Information: |
| |
 |
|
|
|
