Introduces various topics relating to federal records and archives, including descriptions of federal records, permanent records, and archives; responsibility for the creation and maintenance of these items; the policy for deciding which records become archives; and legal issues relating to records and access to them. (Author/CLB)

Describes the historical situations and legislation that led to the formation of regional branches of the national archives, as well as the research resources available at the field branches and their value to researchers. An appendix provides addresses and phone numbers of all field branches. (Author/CLB)