HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania's state archives building is closing for four months to undergo renovations.

Saturday was the last day researchers can visit the Harrisburg facility, which will be shuttered through Feb. 3.

The renovations include improving security and expanding and modernizing the lobby and public research areas. Officials hope the $250,000 project will extend the life of the 50-year-old building, which is quickly reaching capacity.

Officials with the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission said Wednesday archives staff will respond to telephone, e-mail and postal inquiries during the renovations.

The archives contain more than 200 million pages of state records, including the charter from King Charles II to William Penn creating the colony of Pennsylvania.

HARRISBURG — The state House of Representatives is scheduled to return to Harrisburg amid a stalemate with the Senate.House Democratic leaders on Friday summoned the chamber's members to return Monday. Democratic spokesman Brett Marcy said the caucus will discuss the Senate's changes to a pension reform bill.The Republican-controlled Senate finished its fall voting calendar with a flurry of activity Thursday as talks continue on a bill to tax Pennsylvania's booming natural gas industry.However, House Democrats say a move by Senate Republicans to package pension reforms with the creation of an independent fiscal office into one bill violates the single-subject provision in the constitution.