Giddy with the star treatment they received in the caper film National Treasure, wherein the Declaration of Independence was stolen for “its own protection” (and for the invisible treasure map on the back), the National Archives and Records Administration will launch a new public web site on Wednesday, July 20, 2005.
The user-friendly organization of information is designed to allow visitors to gain immediate access to the most frequently-requested information, according to the National Archives Public Affairs announcement.
Changes to the web site include:
-New portals for the General Public, Genealogists/Family Historians, Veterans and Their Families, Educators and Students, Researchers, Records Managers, Preservation and Archives Professionals, Information Security Specialists, Federal Employees, Members of Congress, and Press/Journalists.
-Immediate access from the home page to America’s Historical Documents: a page of high-interest records linking to detailed information and image downloads; “most requested” information and services; jobs, grants, and publications information; National Archives news and locations; calendar of events; guidance and tools for research and ordering copies of historical documents; and more.
-Clearer discussion about what’s available on the web site, what’s not available, and next steps.
-Search box on every page.
-Shorter web addresses.
-More color.
-Bookmarks to current main pages and pages referenced in National Archives publications will be redirected automatically to the new versions of those pages.
A sneak peek at sample pages for the new home page, a subject main page, and a content page is available here.