Since the first editon was published in 1996, the nature of judges' papers has changed as more and more of the work of the federal courts is documented in electronic records. The record-keeping practices of the courts have also changed. This second edition discusses the preservation challenges of new media, the protocols surrounding sensitive and classified documents, and the range of access restrictions that might be appropriate for a collection of judicial papers. This edition includes updated samples of donor agreements and inventories of judicial collections.

"Every federal judge creates a unique record of service in the courts. The chambers papers and other personal manuscripts that document a judge's career are an important resource for understanding that individual's service and for explaining the judicial process...By preserving significant papers and donating them to a manuscript repository, a judge has the opportunity to broaden the historical record and contribute to the public's understanding of the duties and responsibilities of the federal bench. This guide, prepared by the Federal Judicial History Office, discusses the importance and usefulness of judges' papers and offers suggestions for those who wish to make their papers available to a repository." -- from the Preface by Judge Rya Zobel, Director, Federal Judicial Center.