Pittsfield Keeps Archive Records In The City
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Despite the closing of the city's National Archives annex, the records will stay in the city.The Berkshire Athenaeum will clear out a room in the basement to store about 88,000 rolls of microfilm from the Silvio Conte National Records Center on Dan Fox Drive.
"It was not unusual for people to come and do research and then we'd send them there for more," Library Director Ronald Latham said on Wednesday. "So when we found out they were closing, we were real concerned about losing that resource."
The archives could move to the library as early as July while steel shelving is removed and a fresh coat of paint is added to the room that used to house the city's bookmobile offices. The film will be a tight fit in the basement and will only be accessed by staff.
"I was up there yesterday and looked at it and though 'wow, this is a big space'; but I think it's going to work. It works out on paper," Latham said. "We are hoping we will be prepared to accept it in July."
The funding for the Pittsfield National Archives branch expires in September, but the branch could close at any time. Currently, the two employees there are waiting for job replacement. Latham said those employees may be used to train library staff.
"Part of the problem is the National Archives is trying to relocate the two employees that work there so if they find placement next week, they'll shut it down next week," Latham said. "It loses its funding at the end of September but they're trying to move that up to the summer."
The film readers from the National Archives will not be transferred to the library because the library already has its own.
"We had no interest in their readers," Latham said. "We'll still be using our digital ones."
The city announced Tuesday that there will be a public meeting at the National Archives on Wednesday, April 13, to solicit public input to assist the transition.
"It is gratifying to know that this treasure trove of research material will continue to be available to the general public and isn’t it terrific that they’ll be coming right to our downtown," Mayor James Ruberto said in the announcement. "We are also pleased that the dedicated group of volunteers who have served the public so well will be able to continue the work for which they are so passionate."
Archivist of the United States David S. Ferriero announced closing the Dan Fox Drive location in February as part of an 8.2 percent federal cut in funding.
"Due to federal budget restraints, the National Archives at Boston – Pittsfield Annex will be closing, but we are delighted that the Berkshire Athenaeum has agreed to take in our microfilm collection of over 71,000 rolls," Ferriero said in a statement about the library.
"Researchers will continue to have access to the wealth of information related to family history and a multitude of other topics that can be found in this collection. We are very grateful for the generous assistance provided by the mayor’s office and the Berkshire Athenaeum in helping us find a new home for this material."
