THERE IS CONSIDERABLE CONCERN among the friends of Georgia State Archives that this invaluable storage/research site for the state’s most important historical treasures and papers won’t be restored to former functionality simply by its logical transfer to the kinder and more understanding mercies of the University System of Georgia from the secretary of state’s office.

Plans for the transfer are being made even as what is left of public access limps along with the five remaining employees (there once were about 80).

The worry isn’t that the academics/librarians don’t know what they are doing but that, as always, the legislators don’t.

Just moving the archives doesn’t solve a thing unless there is money that goes with it and the university system, again as always, appears in line for yet more budget reductions from the state level.

Somehow winding up putting the load on something like an “admission fee” much like the constantly raised student tuitions doesn’t seem to cut it as these are the people’s records and don’t require a good SAT score for entry.

One wonders how many legislators have ever been to the Archives to see what is there and what is involved. One would suggest archive supporters hold a large dinner for the General Assembly with free-flowing alcohol, like most special interests appear to do if they need/want something.

However, one suspects few would show up for a big pot of beans and pork jowls.