The User Talks Back

This paper is a review of policies, facilities, and services I have observed or experienced while working in various repositories in the United States and includes suggested areas for reevaluation by archivists. Mention is made of services and equipment archivists should consider for the researcher working in their specific holdings, and the attitudes of archival personnel is discussed. Good service in university archives as well as disastrous efforts of some county archives are considered. Specific needs of the researcher are presented; and the dependency of the researcher on the ability, expertise, and cooperation of archivists is emphasized.