Why read this volume? There are several reasons. A major one is the quality of the contributors...For those more steeped in electronic records generally, the volume presents a history of what was arguably the most influential electronic records program in the 20th century...Finally, the book will provide the more knowledgeable reader with a better appreciation of the perspective of NARA's archival program. The Government Records Section News A celebratory volume, recognizing NARA's accomplishments as well as the contributions of the scores of men and women who have laboured to ensure the continuing preservation and management of electronic records...[a] fascinating volume containing an awesome amalgam of achievement, anecdote and aspiration. Electronic Library For those who lack an intimate acquaintance with the history of NARA's involvement (and noninvolvement) with electronic records, this is an excellent beginning, a cross between public laundry washing (on the part of the survivors at NARA who have lived to see a real Electronic Records Archives effort going forward), whistle blowing (more pronounced on the part of those not now employed by NARA), and a usually deserved self-justification (from both) that explains much about why the NARA program looks like it does today...the editor and authors are to be commended for getting this much of the story out...this is such an interesting and useful book, an obvious choice for teaching... Libraries and Culture [Thirty Years of Electronic Records] can teach quite a lot, at many different levels. Indirectly, the history of the electronic records program serves as a guide to the recent history of the National Archives and not just as synecdoche, because nothing happened to the program in isolation. The larger context of political changes and federal budgets always intrudes. The result is an interesting picture and a cautionary tale of organizational change, different management styles, the importance of leadership, and, perhaps most telling, the significance of consistent financial support. Technicalities
