Thursday, January 24, 2013
Guv'ment Deal allocates $4.3 million for Georgia Archives
Posted by Jordan Friedman on Thu, Jan 24, 2013 at 12:55 PM
- Morrow Tourism
- Georgia State Archives
Deal's proposal would also provide funding for 10 positions at the archives, which laid off five employees in the fall.
The Georgia Archives, located in Morrow, holds state historical records and documents dating back to the 1700s. Public outcry ensued after Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp announced in September that, as a result of state budget cuts, the archives would close to the public effective Nov. 1 and reduce its staff.
But Gov. Nathan Deal and Kemp announced in October that the state would restore $125,000 to keep the facility open for the remainder of the current fiscal year.
In addition to the recent budget proposal, supporters including the Society of Georgia Archivists are calling for an additional $1.5 million in funding to expand public access to the historical records by reopening the archives five days a week.
"The goal of returning the Archives to full staffing with open hours five days per week will require at least a $5.4 million funding commitment," says SGA President Lynette Stoudt. "We encourage our legislators to work hard during this legislative session to fully fund the Georgia Archives for the people of Georgia."
Deal has also proposed that the University System of Georgia, rather than the Secretary of State's Office, could possibly oversee the archives' management. Sarah Quigley, an archivist with Emory University's Manuscript, Archives and Rare Book Library, says that this shows "how seriously" the governor has taken the issue.
"A task force has been convened to make recommendations regarding the transfer of the Archives," says Quigley. "We recognize Governor Deal's plan as a great step forward in improving public access. We hope that the legislature takes Governor Deal, and the recommendations of the task force, just as seriously."
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