Diary of a Dream

A History of the National Archives Independence Movement, 1980-1985

Robert M. Warner

• Publisher: Scarecrow Press
• Year: 1995
• Edition: 1
• eBook ISBN:
  9781461658054
• Topic: Languages & Linguistics
• Subtopic: Library & Information Science
• Index: Languages & Linguistics

Based on unique and previously unpublished sources, this book examines in detail the complex, emotional, and difficult movement to remove the National Archives and Records Service from the control of the U.S. General Services Administration. This struggle began almost from the time the National Archives lost its independence in 1950 and culminated during the tenure of Robert Warner as sixth Archivist of the United States. The story is important to the history of the National Archives but also to those interested in the political process, especially as it applies to educational and cultural institutions. The lobbying, overt and covert, the interplay of professional organizations and archivists, librarians, and historians with the executive and legislative branches of the American government are examined in fascinating detail in this often very personal story. It is a study of high drama, bitter disappointments, and ultimate success.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Contents
• Introduction
• Chronology of Public Law 98-497
• I. “To Dream the Impossible Dream” Prelude to Conflict: 1979-1981
• II. “NARS Makes Me Tingle” Hope for Compromise: 1982
• III. Chicken Salad Politics: Compromise Fails: January-August, 1983
• IV. “A Reign of Terror” Open Warfare with GSA: August-December, 1983
• V. I Survived: Carmen Leaves and the House Acts: January-March, 1984
• VI. Unsung Heroes: Independence Gains Momentum: March-April, 1984
• VII. “That Is Just Hunky-Dory” The Administration Turns Around and the Senate Acts: May-June, 1984
• VIII. “Free at Last” Final Victory: July-October, 1984
• IX. Epilogue: A Time to Celebrate, A Time to Reflect: November 1984-April 1985
• Index
• About the Author