"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.