Category: Customer service

Cheers to 30-years of e-FOIA!

by Kimberlee N Ried, posted in Customer service, definitions and concepts, Electronic records, Government information, IT Solutions, Uncategorized

Press release issued by the White House on October 2, 1996, announcing the signing of the e-FOIA. https://clintonwhitehouse6.archives.gov/1996/10/1996-10-02-president-on-signing-electronic-freedom-of-info-act.html This week OGIS recognizes the 30th anniversary of e-FOIA. When President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) in 1966, most government records were generated via paper and ink. Requesting records meant handwriting or … Continue reading Cheers to 30-years of e-FOIA!

OGIS Publishes Annual RMSA Report

by Kimberlee N Ried, posted in Customer service, Government information, OGIS's Reports, Uncategorized

A week in advance of census taking, every farmer receives a questionnaire by mail and fills it out before the enumerator arrives. The enumerator then checks the form and helps the farmer with any difficult questions. Photo by the Dept. of Agriculture. National Archives Identifier 207899868 One in five federal agencies reported using artificial intelligence … Continue reading OGIS Publishes Annual RMSA Report

“Still Interested” Letters Should Give 30 Working Days for Response

by Kimberlee N Ried, posted in "Still Interested" Letters, Customer service, definitions and concepts, Government information, Ombudsman, Plain Language, Uncategorized

"Air Mail is Socially Correct." National Archives Identifier 404792690 As the end of the fiscal year nears, federal agencies may be aiming to close old FOIA requests and reduce their backlogs by sending “still interested” letters. Sent by agencies to confirm whether a requester still wants their pending FOIA request to be processed, “still interested” letters are … Continue reading “Still Interested” Letters Should Give 30 Working Days for Response

FOIA Advisory Committee Seeks Public Feedback on Recommendations

by Kimberlee N Ried, posted in Customer service, FOIA Advisory Committee, Uncategorized

"Catch on to a Good Idea" - Yogi Berra. National Archives Identifier 23889731 Members of the FOIA Advisory Committee’s Statutory Reform Subcommittee seek public input on three draft recommendations presented to the full Committee at the March 5, 2026 meeting. The draft recommendations are:  Proposed Recommendation SR-1: Congress should amend FOIA to establish the FOIA Advisory … Continue reading FOIA Advisory Committee Seeks Public Feedback on Recommendations

OGIS Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Report Now Available

by Kimberlee N Ried, posted in Customer service, Government information, National Archives and Records Administration, OGIS's Reports, Ombudsman, Uncategorized

The Office of Government Information Services 2025 Report for Fiscal Year 2024 is now available on our website. Highlights include:  OGIS provided timely mediation and assistance, handling 6,057 cases and closing 6,098 — with 88.5% initiated in 10 days and 98.9% resolved within 90 days. Whether coaching first-timers or navigating thorny issues with seasoned pros, OGIS … Continue reading OGIS Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Report Now Available

OIP Offers Upgrades to FOIA.gov Search Tool

by Kimberlee N Ried, posted in Customer service, definitions and concepts, Government information, innovation, IT Solutions, Uncategorized

The Office of Information Policy (OIP) at the Department of Justice recently improved the FOIA.gov Search Tool. Launched in October 2023, the upgrades are expected to improve the results and sources the Search Tool delivers. The tool guides users through the process of locating already public information or identifying the correct federal agency to submit … Continue reading OIP Offers Upgrades to FOIA.gov Search Tool

National Archives to Host Annual Forum on Transparency and Access to Government Records

by Kimberlee N Ried, posted in Customer service, National Archives and Records Administration, OGIS events, Ombudsman, Sunshine Week 2025, Uncategorized

The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) will host a substantive forum, “Transparency and Access to NARA Records,” on Wednesday, March 19, at 1 p.m. ET. This program will headline Sunshine Week, an annual nonpartisan nationwide collaboration bringing together those in media, civics, and government. The forum will be livestreamed on the National Archives YouTube … Continue reading National Archives to Host Annual Forum on Transparency and Access to Government Records

FOIA Advisory Committee Meets March 6

by Kimberlee N Ried, posted in Customer service, FOIA Advisory Committee, OGIS events, Open Government, Uncategorized

Former President Harry S. Truman (second from the right) is shown in a four-way handshake with Clyde T. Ellis (left) and two unidentified men, members of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. The former President spoke at an Electric Consumers Workshop breakfast at the Willard Hotel, Washington, D.C. From: Clyde T. Ellis. National Archives Identifier … Continue reading FOIA Advisory Committee Meets March 6

OGIS Publishes Two New Ombuds Observers

by Kimberlee N Ried, posted in Customer service, definitions and concepts, FOIA Ombuds Observer, Government information, Guest post, National Archives and Records Administration, OGIS's Reports, Ombudsman, Open Government, Plain Language, Records Management, Uncategorized

Fernando Penalosa and Maria Teresa Inigo at the busy circulation desk. Through the open doors in back of the patrons at the desk is the entrance to the Main Reading Room. The reference desk is to its immediate right. National Archive Identifier 23932427 Today’s blog post was guest written by Dan Levenson. The Office of … Continue reading OGIS Publishes Two New Ombuds Observers

1974 FOIA Amendments Mark Golden Anniversary

by Kimberlee N Ried, posted in Customer service, FOIA Exemptions, FOIA in the news, Government information, Ombudsman, Open Government, Uncategorized

A 1967 arrangement of gold bearings used by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. National Archives Identifier 354900450 Requesters, the next time you work to "reasonably describe” records in a FOIA request or visit FOIA.gov for agency FOIA data, you can thank the 1974 FOIA amendments. And agency FOIA professionals, you can thank the 1974 … Continue reading 1974 FOIA Amendments Mark Golden Anniversary