The New York City Department of Records and Information Services (DORIS) celebrated 2024 as a groundbreaking year in improving the management and accessibility of city government records. With the backing of the Adams administration, DORIS made significant strides in modernizing records management, preserving vital historical documents, and expanding public access to the city’s extensive archives.
“From the Dutch colonists in New Amsterdam to today’s modern city government, records tell the story of New York City’s evolution,” said Pauline Toole, Commissioner of DORIS. “In 2024, we strengthened electronic records management, preserved historical treasures, and provided the public with unprecedented access to both contemporary and historical records.”
Mayor Eric Adams highlighted these accomplishments as part of his administration’s broader mission to create a safer and more affordable New York City. He noted, “Thanks to our public servants, including those at DORIS, we’re ‘Getting Stuff Done’ for working-class New Yorkers by making our city more efficient, safe, and affordable while preserving its history for future generations.”
Among DORIS’s notable achievements this year was the launch of the interactive Honorary Street Name Map, allowing nearly 19,000 visitors to explore biographies of individuals commemorated on more than 2,500 streets and locations. This initiative, alongside the agency’s website attracting over 800,000 visitors, demonstrated the public’s growing engagement with NYC’s records.
DORIS also enhanced records management across city agencies by deploying the Electronic Records Management System at 29 agencies, managing 128 million digital records by year’s end. The agency doubled the quantity of obsolete hard-copy records approved for disposal, clearing out over 26,000 boxes and streamlining operations.
Public access to historical records saw a major boost with the launch of a new Digital Collections website, offering over 2.3 million historical documents, photographs, maps, blueprints, and multimedia files. Additionally, significant historical records, such as the NYPD’s “Stop and Frisk” documents, were transferred to the Municipal Archives for permanent preservation. DORIS staff supported over 33,000 researchers during the year, further underscoring the agency’s role in connecting the public with the city’s rich history.
Efforts to expand online library holdings continued, with over 2,194 new publications added to the online library through collaboration with city agencies. In preserving NYC’s architectural history, DORIS completed a three-year federal grant project to conserve, document, and digitize historic architectural drawings, ensuring their longevity for future generations.
The accomplishments of 2024 reflect DORIS’s commitment to innovation and preservation, as it continues to modernize record-keeping and foster a deeper connection between New Yorkers and their city’s legacy. Looking ahead, DORIS remains dedicated to ensuring that New York City’s history is accessible to all and preserved for generations to come. For more information on DORIS initiatives and access to their extensive archives, visit their website.
