Date: Tue, 25 Apr 2000 12:18:56 -0500 From: "Debbie Pendleton" <DPendlet@archives.state.al.us> To: ALABAMA-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: Alabama Archives to accept credit cards ******Press Release***** Alabama Archives to Begin Accepting Credit Cards for Research Requests Beginning June 1, patrons to the Alabama Department of Archives and History will be able to pay for reference request services with a credit card. The fee will be paid at the time of the request whether it is made by mail, e-mail, or during a walk-in visit. To cover the additional expense, fees will rise slightly to $5 for in-state requests and $20 for out-of-state requests. The fee is non-refundable. It covers the cost of research and staff time, equipment, copying, and postage. Most major credit cards will be accepted. Once the system is in place, patrons will no longer be invoiced for research requests, they must pay in advance. Research at the Archives' Reference Room is free to those who come in and visit. However, for those patrons living outside Montgomery or who otherwise don't have the time or means to make a personal visit, reference requests are an option. Typical requests handled by Archives' staff members involve finding genealogical or historical information in census records, military records, newspaper collections, and state government records. The service includes copies of the records that are located, a research report indicating all sources searched, and, when applicable, a listing of suggested sources for additional research. The Reference Room is open Tuesday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 242-4363, ext. 244. Debbie Pendleton Assistant Director for Public Services Alabama Department of Archives and History PO Box 300100 Montgomery, AL 36130-0100 dpendlet@archives.state.al.us http://www.archives.state.al.us