Gaining Online Access to Electronic Documents through the National Archives Database
Accessing Technical Documentation at the National Archives Catalog
The National Archives Catalog offers a wealth of resources for those interested in contributing to archival projects. You can find downloadable PDFs that provide step-by-step instructions and technical documentation, as well as how-to guides and instructional videos designed to help users navigate the catalog and contribute as Citizen Archivists [1]. Support is available by contacting [email protected] for help with the Catalog user account or with questions regarding the documentation.
Understanding the Electronic Records
NARA has made a significant effort to ensure that the electronic records files available online are accessible to the public. These records were created and preserved in a variety of formats, with NARA preserving them in a software-independent format whenever possible. For the electronic records series, you can even search and retrieve individual records online via the Access to Archival Databases (AAD) resource, and download the code lists from AAD in a comma-separated value (CSV) format [2].
Accessing the Documentation
When it comes to the technical documentation, NARA has selected from the technical and/or supplemental documentation the materials most necessary and helpful for using and understanding the electronic records. This includes agency-prepared record layouts, field descriptions, code lists or meanings, user notes, and sample questionnaires or forms. Not all files in a series may be available from the catalog, but only the electronic records files and technical documentation in a series that are unrestricted or public use versions are available for online access.
For some series, the same documentation applies to all the files, and the same technical documentation files may be attached to multiple file unit descriptions. On the other hand, for other series, the documentation is specific to one or a few of the files, and the documentation will only be attached to the relevant file unit description(s).
Ordering Reproductions
If you wish to order reproductions of unrestricted electronic records files on removable media (such as CD or DVD), you can do so for a cost-recovery fee. Contact information for Reference Services Electronic Records National Archives at College Park is provided for any queries regarding this service.
Additional Resources
For highly specific technical reports or research documents, other collections such as the Library of Congress's OSRD collection provide technical reports and indices that sometimes intersect historically with National Archives materials. However, their download processes may differ. The National Archives Catalog, on the other hand, focuses more broadly on federal records and citizen archivist resources [1].
In summary, to download technical documentation from the National Archives Catalog, you can directly access helpful PDF instructions and resource guides designed to assist users in using the Catalog effectively and can obtain support via the Citizen Archivist program's contact channels [1].
[1] National Archives. (n.d.). About the National Archives Catalog. Retrieved from https://www.archives.gov/about/catalog
[2] National Archives. (n.d.). Access to Archival Databases (AAD). Retrieved from https://www.archives.gov/research/arc/electronic-records/aad
- Science and technology intersect in the National Archives Catalog as they offer technical documentation and resources that help users navigate and contribute to the catalog, utilizing digital formats such as software-independent ones for electronic records and comma-separated value (CSV) for code lists from AAD.
- The finance aspect pertains to the cost-recovery fee for a service offered by the National Archives, which allows users to order reproductions of unrestricted electronic records files on removable media like CDs or DVDs.
