State Archives Celebrates 50 Years with Launch of New Website

Carson City, NV - October 08, 2015

October is American Archives Month and it’s Nevada Archives’ 50th anniversary. In recognition and celebration, the Nevada Department of Administration’s Division of State Library, Archives and Public Records is proud to announce the launch of a new Digital Collections website. The website showcases both Nevada’s history with documents dating back to 1851, as well as current state, county and local government reports: http://www.nsladigitalcollections.org/

“This is the biggest thing to happen to State Archives and State Library since we merged in 1979,” said State Librarian Daphne DeLeon. “Fifty years ago the state archives program didn’t exist. Old records were kept in basements and attic rooms, and were nearly impossible to find. Now while the original archives are safe and secure in a protected environment, the public can now view these fragile, historical documents on line.”

The Archives’ component of the website is called “Historical Nevada Collections,” and has original and microfilmed documents from Nevada Territory and early statehood including letters, telegrams and court cases, as well as official reports on the military, mines, mental hospital, state police, prison and public schools. The historical collection also includes all patents for land sold by the state government to private individuals from 1865 to 2007. Furthermore, it has a complete collection on Sarah Winnemucca compiled from records in the National Archives, the Library of Congress and newspapers from Boston, Nevada, Idaho and Washington.

The Library’s component features the more recent and current publications produced by Nevada state, county and local government agencies are featured in the “Electronic State Publications” portion of the website. This is now a convenient one-stop location to browse statewide agency reports covering a range of topics such as agriculture, healthcare, wildlife, and law.

To celebrate its 50th Anniversary, and Governor proclaimed State Archives Day in Nevada, attend an open house at the State Library and Archives to visit its research room and hear talks on Nevada History, Monday, October 26, 2 – 4 p.m. 100 N. Stewart St., Carson City, NV. For more information, please call (775) 684-3362.

Background

Publication of this online information and service is partially funded by the Nevada State Library, Archives and Public Records under the Library Services and Technology Act, P.L. 108-81, as amended, through the Institute of Museum and Library Services. For more information about the Nevada State Library, Archives and Public Records, please visit: http://nsla.nv.gov.

Common Questions and Answers:

• Are all documents in archives available to the public?
o Confidential or restricted records deposited in the State Archives, subject to NRS 378.300, remain confidential for 30 years or the death of the person to which they relate, whichever is later. Documents housed in the State Library are available to the public.

• When can the public visit the facility?
o The State Library, Archives and Public Records are open daily Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

• Who uses State Library, Archives and Public Records?
o Citizens seeking government accountability for program administration, expenditure of funds, and enforcement of law;
o Law enforcement officials needing records of criminal history;
o Legislators, legislative staff, government and private attorneys researching legislative intent of laws and regulations.
o Environmentalists and environmental protection agencies trying to identify where contaminants came from and who is responsible for the costs of clean up;
o Museum curators and historic preservationists studying old artifacts, sites, and buildings; TV and film producers working on documentaries;
o Journalists looking for background material for stories;
o Academic professionals, students and other researchers pursuing scholarly research and historical studies; and
o Genealogists tracing their families in Nevada.

Contact

Mary Woods
PIO
(775) 684-0202