NARA appears to have taken note of my problem in trying to renew my research card last week, which is good. I see that NARA has posted new information on its website, as I had suggested. See http://www.archives.gov/research/start/researcher-card.html . As you read the instructions, you will see a newly added paragraph stating that: "Using, renewing, or replacing your research card Your research card must be presented during each research visit. Your research card will be valid for one year. For security reasons, we request that you do not attempt to renew the card until it has actually expired. You can renew or replace your research card on your next research visit. Please do not come in advance of the expiration date solely to renew a research card. If you forget or lose your research card, talk to the staff when you arrive on your next research visit. Please do not come in advance of your next research visit solely to replace a lost research card. Procedures for replacing your research card vary slightly at different facilities." Having done due diligence and checked this website last week, I then saw nothing that told researchers not to try to renew their cards early. NARA has now posted the necessary information, as I suggested on the Archives List last week, and I hope others will not be blindsided the way I was. I would like to see NARA have a policy permitting renewal of cards starting 30 days in advance of their expiration. I still have trouble understanding why a single day made so much difference, but, that's the way it is, I suppose. I have to say, having worked both sides of the fence (NARA reference archivist and now a Federal researcher), had I still been a NARA employee, I would have used discretion and renewed for a member of the public last week a researcher card that expired the next day. But, people differ in how they view these things and it was not to be. I don't know when I will have a chance to renew my card. Also, I've looked further into the issue of copier use. In addition to the usual brief usage, first come, first served self serve copiers, NARA also has some reservation-only one hour and all day copiers available. However, coming out to Archives II to xerox a single item, albeit a long one, is a bit daunting for me, especially as I have to rely on the shuttle and generally have little flexibility in my schedule. So, I have to think about how and when to accomplish that. At any rate, it's good to see that NARA was responsive to one of the issues I raised on the List and that it posted this week an explanation of its renewal policies on its website. Maarja A posting from the Archives & Archivists LISTSERV List sponsored by the Society of American Archivists, www.archivists.org. For the terms of participation, please refer to http://www.archivists.org/listservs/arch_listserv_terms.asp. To subscribe or unsubscribe, send e-mail to [log in to unmask] In body of message: SUB ARCHIVES firstname lastname *or*: UNSUB ARCHIVES To post a message, send e-mail to [log in to unmask] Or to do *anything* (and enjoy doing it!), use the web interface at http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/archives.html Problems? Send e-mail to Robert F Schmidt <[log in to unmask]>