Art, I definately agree with doing everything possible to preserve our public records. I don't have a problem with not being able to photocopy books or pages. I can take a legal pad and copy down the information I need. My problem is in cases where I have been told by public servants in local courthouses that I cannot "view" the "old" records. You write " If the public official doesn't care and the researcher doesn't care then who's looking after the interest of those that come afterwards." We should all be looking out for those who come afterwards, but what is the point of preserving our records, if we are not allow to view them? To me, records not used are like an unread book - worthless. Linda