AC 22.2024

Date: March 28, 2024

Memorandum to Federal Records Management Contacts: Publication of regulation updates to 1237.28(d) 

NARA is amending the regulations at 36 CFR § 1237.28(d) concerning digital photographs. We anticipate these updated regulations will go into effect on May 28th, 60 days after publication in the Federal Register.

We are updating existing regulations in 36 CFR 1237 - Audiovisual, Cartographic, and Related Records Management to align with regulations in 36 CFR 1236 subpart E Digitizing Permanent Records requirements. Specifically, we are updating 36 CFR § 1237.28(d) by removing the previous guidance on digitizing photographs. Agencies should use the guidance in subpart E.
 
We're making this amendment to remove certain rules in our regulations dealing with special concerns about digital photographs. We need to do this because the changes in subpart E provide new and clearer rules for turning permanent photo prints into digital records. 

It is important to note that subpart E does not provide digitization standards for negatives and slides. Consequently, the requirements for managing these formats have been reviewed, revised, and retained within 1237.28(d).

LAURENCE BREWER   
Chief Records Officer 
for the U.S. Government