What Is in the Archives
The George Meany Memorial Archives holds the records of the AFL-CIO, including administrative and staff departments, constitutional trade departments, and some federation-sponsored programs. Dating from the earliest days of the American Federation of Labor (1881), but offering almost complete records from the founding of the AFL-CIO (1955), the collections provide rich resources for historians, political scientists, trade union activists, and undergraduate and graduate students who want to examine a wide range of twentieth-century American political and social issues.
Because the AFL-CIO is a national federation of unions, the records focus on broadly defined policies, programs, campaigns, and legislative efforts. The archives does not collect the records of affiliated unions at either the national or local level and, therefore, does not document the work of those bodies or the acitivities of rank-and-file members.
Click here to access an annotated guide to the collections at the George Meany Memorial Archives.
Click here to access our new online catalog. View the "Record detail display" to identify records by collection number (see "Part of" field) and box/folder number (see "Number" field). Ignore the "key" number). [TOP]
Who May Use the Collections
Once records have been arranged and described according to the archives' stated access policy, they are available to all users without restriction. Researchers are required to abide by the archives' reading room, copyright, and photocopying policies. Click here to access the rules for the use of the archives. [TOP]
How to Use the Archives
The Meany Archives operates according to standard archival policies and procedures that govern what materials are collected (records of enduring value) and how they are arranged and described (according to how they were created and used). The tools archivists use to provide access (known as guides, inventories, or finding aids) are not governed by subjects or topics. The use of archival records normally requires assistance by someone who knows the records and understands the finding aids. [TOP]
Photocopying
Researchers may make copies via a coin-operated machine that accepts bills up to $10.00. GMMA staff does not provide change. Photocopies of still images and other non-textual and oversized records are staff-made only. We provide guidelines for photocopying restrictions to onsite researchers, and upon request. Photocopies of textual records are 10 cents per copy; staff-made photocopies are 25 cents per copy, with a ten item limit for same day service.
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Scanning/Camera Copying
At the discretion of GMMA staff, researchers may scan or shoot material in our holdings using hand-held cameras or cameras/scanners resting directly on a table and only using available light. We provide guidelines to onsite researchers, and upon request.
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Audio-Visual Reproduction
Click here to access photographic reproduction services and fees. Click here to access film/audio reproduction services and fees. [TOP]
Microfilm Use
Because the GMMA's microfilm reader-printers are inoperable, there is currently no access to microfilm. Some microfilm is available elsewhere or through interlibrary loan. [TOP]
