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, and microfilm copies of all deeds
through 1850 and all wills through 1950.

While the Board of Public Works alone has the authority to destroy
non-current records, all such records must first be offered to the
Hall of Records, and then, should the Archivist decline the records,
permission to destroy them may be sought from the Board of Public
Works. Provision has also been made for the periodic disposition of
certain non-current records upon a schedule arranged by the record
custodian and the Archivist. All such schedules must be approved by
the Board of Public Works. The original of any paper or document,
except those excluded by law, which has been microfilmed, photo-
stated, or reproduced by any other photographic method approved
by the Hall of Records may also be destroyed. In all instances the
record custodian must submit to the Archivist a listing of all records
which have been destroyed (Acts 1949, Chs. 518. 755). The Hall of
Records is authorized to reproduce photographically upon request the
records of any agency of the State government, as well as the land
records of any Court of the State upon the request of the Court (Code
1947, Supp. Art. 41, sec. 127).

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 at the Hall of Records
(Code 1947 Supp., Art. 41, sec. 103). The Hall of Records is further
responsible for the editing and preparation of the MARYLAND
MANUAL.

Expenditures, 1950 . . . $43,828.64
Appropriation, 1951 56,797.00

Staff: 11

DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION
Earle Poorbaugh, Director
State Office Building, Annapolis Telephone: Annapolis 4058

The Department of Information was established as a separate
State agency on June 1, 1949. It existed hitherto as a division of the
Hall of Records Commission, having been authorized by the Board of
Public Works on February 17, 1948. The Department is a central
agency for the dissemination of information concerning the State.
Under law (Acts 1949, Ch. 665) the department ie empowered to
collect and assemble data about Maryland and to distribute it in the
form of maps, films, photographs, pamphlets, posters, press and radio
releases, and by other means to the public in general and to institu-
tions of learning in particular. It is further authorized to promote
the interests of Maryland and its products. In this respect, the De-
partment serves as a center of information for the encouragement of
tourism, and vacation trade in the State.

Expenditures, 1950 $23,508.14
Appropriation, 1951 29,211.00

Staff: 6.