Research


Scope and Content Note

This series consists of correspondence, memorandums, special reports on electronic data processing, budget appropriation requests, contracts and specifications for computer hardware and software, printed catalogs, and other documents relating to acquisition and installation of computers in state agencies and institutions. The earliest files, dating back to 1962, are for the Upstate and Downstate Medical Centers and for some units of the State University system. Files for most state agencies do not begin until the late 1960's. The correspondence in this series generally deals with substantial policy decisions concerning the purchase and use of computers. The series also contains some agency quarterly reports to the Budget Division on progress and problems in use of electronic data processing (see series 13803 for summaries of these reports). The files also contain occasional summary reports tracing the implementation of electronic data processing.

The series is arranged as it was received from the Division of the Budget. Files are grouped in rough alphabetical order by agency name, and there under in reverse chronological order. There is no consistent pattern of cutoff dates, and the alphabetical arrangement repeats several times. The records from accretion 13802-83 span the years 1962-1979, while most of those from accretion 13802-85 span the years 1976-1980.