is required, however, that all records, which are in the Court Houses
of the State and which were created prior to April 28, 1788, the date
of ratification of the United States Constitution by the State of Mary-
land, be deposited at the Hall of Records (Code 1947 Supp. Art. 41,
sec. 126A ). The transfer of these records is now in process. In addi-
tion to these records the agency has in its custody the non-current
records of many state agencies..

While the Board of Public Works has power over the disposition of
non-current records, all such records must first be offered to the Hall
of Records, and then, should the Archivist decline such records, per-
mission to destroy the same may be sought from the Board of Public
Works..

The Hall of Records is authorized to reproduce upon request the
records of any agency of the State Government, as well as the land
records of any Courts of the State upon the request of the Court
(Code 1947 Supp. Art. 41, secs. 127, 127A)..

The Hall of Records also maintains a library of official publications
of the various State agencies, and all state agencies are required to
deposit one copy of each official publication with the Hall of Records
(Code 1947 Supp. Art. 41, sec. 103)..

As an adjunct to the Hall of Records Commission, the Board of
Public Works created in February, 1948, a Department of Informa-
tion for the purpose of providing a central agency for the dissemina-
tion of information about Maryland. The Hall of Records is further
responsible for the editing and preparation of the MARYLAND MANUAL
for the biennium 1948-1949..

Publications: Eleventh and Twelfth Annual Reports of the.

Archivist of the Hall of Records, 1946, 1947.
Land Office and Perogative Court Records of Colonial Mary-
land, Annapolis, 1946..

Calendar of Maryland State Papers No. 2 The Bank Stock
Papers, Annapolis, 1947..

1948 1949
Appropriations $36,850 $36,411
Staff: 12.

DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION.

John P. Trimmer, Director
Court of Appeals Building, Annapolis Telephone: Annapolis 4085.

The Department of Information was established as a division of the
Hall of Records Commission by the Board of Public Works February
17, 1948. It began to function in March, 1948. The Department, a
central agency for the dissemination of information concerning the
State, is charged with collecting and assembling data about Maryland.
It makes available to the general public by means of maps, photo-
graphs, pamphlets, and press releases information obtained from
various state agencies, federal agencies and private sources..

Publications: Maryland's Resorts and Vacation Areas, 1948.
Maryland's State Government (mimeographed), 1948.
Special Events in Maryland (bi-monthly, mimeographed).
Appropriations: 1948 1949.

By the Board of Public Works $11,000 $11,000
Staff: 2.