ABOUT US

The Department of Records and Information Services was created by Local Law 49 of 1977, which added a new Chapter 72 to the Charter of The City of New York.

For the first time in the City's history, this law established in one department the responsibility for the organization and retrieval of the massive documentation--records, reports and archival documents--produced by past and present governments. The law consolidated several information and reference programs already in existence.

In 1980, the City Hall Library, the Municipal Records Center and the departmental executive and administrative offices moved into renovated space in the Surrogate's Court, a New York City and national historic landmark. Renovation of the lower floor was completed in 1983 creating a climate-controlled facility for the Municipal Archives.

DORIS is composed of the Municipal Archives, the City Hall Library, Grant Administration Unit, and the Municipal Records Management Division. The Charter of The City of New York, Chapter 72, Section 3009 stipulates that the Archives Reference and Research Advisory Board of fifteen members shall be appointed by the Mayor and serve at his pleasure. The Board consults with the Commissioner on the operations of the Municipal Archives and of the City Hall Library, and upon request gives advice on matters pertinent to these divisions.