As professional Pennsylvania researchers we spend a lot of time at the state archives, so we were saddened last week to learn of yet another round of personnel cuts that included one young man whose expertise is military records. We wish Jason (and all of the others who have lost positions with the state archives and library) the very, very best of luck.
If there is “good” news, perhaps it is that the cuts should now cease — for this year at least.
As reported in an earlier post, the state library is operating on a reduced schedule and is now open only Tuesday through Thursday. There are on occasion long waits for newspaper microfilm, and the books tend to stack up on the re-shelving carts — but the staff members that survived the drastic reductions are helpful and professional, and doing their best to keep the library operational. Of course, for us genealogists, the most important guy there is long-time volunteer Ray — and he has no plans of going anywhere any time soon.
The archives’ staff, though clearly troubled by the uncertainty of who/what might be cut, have never skipped a beat in their professional delivery of services. This facility will also reduce hours of operation beginning December 1st (Wednesday through Saturday, 9 to4).
Historic sites around the state have been heavily hit with nearly half either closing permanently or severely limiting hours of operation. Perhaps private funding (meaning generous donations) may help important sites such as Old Economy Village in Beaver County remain operational.
We can only imagine what 2010 might bring.