Gov. Deal Says Archives Will Remain Open

More than 80 people showed up at a ceremony Wednesday for Gov. Deal to sign a proclamation designating October as Archives Month.

They didn't come to his office for the event, however. They came to voice their dismay over a recent announcement that the Georgia State Archives will be closed to the public on November 1.

According to a story in the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Deal listened: he pledged to keep the archives open. Secretary of State Brian Kemp said he planned to close the facility in Morrow--open now three days a week--and make access by appointment only. He was doing so to comply with a state directive to cut his budget by 3 percent.

Of the archives 10-member staff, only three have kept their jobs: the director, an archivist and a building supervisor, the story says.

“We’re working on our budget proposals, and we’re going to make sure the archives stay open,” Deal told the archives advocates.

Should the appointment-only schedule take effect, Georgia will be the only state in the country with such restrictions on public records.

You may also be interested in reading:

Secretary Kemp Speaks to Athens Rotarians About the Archives Closing

Closing The Doors on Georgia Culture and History?

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