Complimentary copies have been mailed to those on the Commission's mailing list. To order additional copies contact Sonny Koerner at the Commission. The first major survey in 30 years of how well states are saving their historical records cites evidence of considerable growth and progress despite budget cutting pressures in the 1990's. In 1993 every state government has a functioning archival program and every state but one has a functioning state historical records advisory board. A Report on the Condition of Historical Records in the States and Efforts to Ensure Their Preservation and Use.
Progress is reported in dealing with records created by new technologies.
Twelve states have records schedules covering electronic records, five state archives have established separate staff positions for electronic records programs, and 29 states have developed guidelines for use of optical imaging technologies. The report shows that nearly every state archival program has recently suffered budget reductions, while demands have increased. An updated version of the Commission's publication order form is now available. If writing is inscribed on parchment it will last for a thousand years. Two hundred years would be a lot.