Archive
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 28, 1997
The research room in Pittsfield operates with only two full time Federal employees, Jean F. Nudd and Walter V. Hickey. To improve the services offered to the community, the two developed an extensive volunteer program that provided enhanced service while saving taxpayers over $70,000. Seventy dedicated volunteers and friends of the facility assist researchers, respond to requests for information and prepare indexes to the microfilm collection.
Ms. Nudd and Mr. Hickey have also developed an extremely active public outreach program, educating citizens about their government and access to its records. They teach workshops on researching family history and, using Federal records, make presentations to school children, community groups and social organizations.
In nominating Ms. Nudd and Mr. Hickey for the award, Diane P. LeBlanc, Administrator of NARA's Northeast Region, said, "Both Jean and Walter have a contagious passion for the history of this great country and for helping its citizens discover it. Because of their program, their passion is now shared by seventy volunteers and friends who help them accomplish great things."
Since June 1994, more than 25,000 have visited the Microfilm Research Room. Visitors from all 50 states and as far away as Australia, England, and France have used the facility.
The recognition of the staff, volunteers and friends at the Pittsfield research room marks NARA's third "Hammer Award." The Motion Picture, Sound, and Video Branch in College Park, MD received the award in 1995, and the staff of NARA's regional facility in Waltham, MA received it a year earlier.
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For additional information, contact the Public Affairs Staff at (301) 713-6000. 97-51