The PRESNET database was launched in 1986 and serves as a folder-level index to most of the processed manuscript holdings of the Gerald Ford Presidential Library. The software permits both simple and boolean searches using controlled vocabulary indexing terms and/or natural text. Search reports list, collection-by-collection, all series and folders containing material on a given topic.
This database does not index individual documents or audiovisual materials.
Searching in PRESNET
PRESNET is not directly accessible on the Ford Library website, but archivists will be more than happy to conduct searches and send reports to you via email. To request a search, please contact the Ford Library with a brief overview of your research topic or provide a list of terms from the Library's online list of controlled-vocabulary indexing terms used in the database.
PRESNET is powerful, but there are things you must know to be an informed consumer:
- We assign only the most apt index terms to a folder, not every term that would fit every document.
- A PRESNET search will guide you only to folders, not individual documents.
- Most folders will contain material on several topics.
- Broad topic searches will omit folders devoted to narrower topics; thus, searches under the index terms "Middle East Conflicts," "Sinai Accord," and "Egypt" will each yield overlapping but different results.
- Some files and topics (e.g. personal names) do not lend themselves to folder-level subject indexing and your own creativity may be the key to finding what you need.
In most cases, when using the search reports to request boxes onsite in the Library research room you only need to provide the name of the collection and the box number. Once you have the box at your table, you can look for the particular folder(s) you need. Occasionally archivists will need the folder title as well, but that is usually indicated on the PRESNET search report (an example of that is the White House Central Files Name File). Library staff will let you know if we need further information.
In addition to PRESNET, researchers can search for keywords in the Ford Library’s finding aids.
Also, most PRESNET records are also searchable in the the National Archives Catalog if you wish to conduct your own searches (to search only for Ford Library holdings select Search Options, then Advanced Search and specify the Ford Library as the Location of Archival Materials). However, the search results are not organized easily for systematic research.
Reading PRESNET Search Reports (Example Included)
See an example of a PRESNET search report.
In the sample search report above, the names of the collections are identified by three rows of asterisks (*) and are in all capital letters. What is directly below the collection title are folder title(s) that have material that directly relate to the searched topic. The next three rows of asterisks that appear indicate the next collection on the report. Sometimes there is a series title listed below the collection name if the folders have not been individually described.
The page count column shows the approximate quantity of material found in individual folders.
The first folder in the example above is in Box 102 of the Charles McCall Files. There is only one folder in that collection that has been identified to relate to Nevada, and it contains approximately 50 pages.
A select number of Ford Library documents have been digitized and made available on our website. Digitized folders will be identified on your PRESNET search reports with the statement, "{View folder contents in the Ford Digital Library}." See an example of this at hit number 46 of the above example search report.
If you see a folder title with phrases, "{REVIEW ON REQUEST}" or "{Not yet open but can be added to the Review Queue}," that indicates that the folder has not yet been reviewed for donor restrictions. See an example of this at hit number 14 of the above example search report. If a folder that you want to view has this message, please see the Review for Access Queue information page.