Here is a condensed version of the 1950 Census tabulation picture. In the foreground is a punch card machine. Holes are punched in the card according to a prearranged code, transferring the facts from the questionnaire into statistics. The man operating the machine labeled “140” is running a sorter. This machine sorts cards into any … Continue reading OGIS Publishes Annual Compliance Report
Mail, Photographs Relating to Agency Officials, Events, and Activities. National Archives Identifier 209296403 As the federal government approaches the end of fiscal year 2024 in September, we recognize that many federal agencies are aiming to close old FOIA requests and reduce their FOIA backlogs. Some are sending requesters “still interested” letters to ensure that the … Continue reading OGIS Remains Interested in “Still Interested” Letters
A colorful sea of in-line skaters blankets the North Shore Scenic Drive in this photo of the North Shore In-Line Marathon. National Archives Identifier 7720689. The 2024-2026 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Advisory Committee met on Friday, September 13, and organized themselves into three subcommittees. Each subcommittee is led by two co-chairs, one a government … Continue reading 2024-2026 FOIA Advisory Committee is Off and Running with Three Subcommittees
WAC Sgt. Molly Thavenet, 6 Moss Street, Westerly, R.I., now serving in Italy as a Staff secretary with the 15th Air Force, puts the torch of her cigarette lighter to the last page on her desk calendar, thus closing out a most memorable year. National Archives Identifier 204911363 Mark your calendar for Friday, September 13, … Continue reading FOIA Advisory Committee Meets on Friday, September 13
Photograph of Howard Hughes, who played a pivotal role in the very first Neither Confirm Nor Deny (NCND) response. National Archives Identifier 219777077. OGIS has recently published a new resource for Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requesters whose records requests are met with ‘neither confirm nor deny’ (NCND) responses, historically known in the U.S. as … Continue reading OGIS Publishes Ombuds Observer on NCND/Glomar
Make plans to join us as the National Archives and Records Administration hosts a panel discussion on “Artificial Intelligence: The Intersection of Public Access and Open Government'' Thursday, March 14, at 1 p.m. ET. This program is being offered during Sunshine Week, an annual nationwide celebration of access to public information. The event will be in … Continue reading Panel to Discuss Open Government and Artificial Intelligence at Sunshine Week Event
https://giphy.com/gifs/usnationalarchives-vintage-christmas-3oz8xJVpGNtM2g8Mhy Santa Claus Christmas by US National Archives via GIPHY. From National Archives Identifier 93140. Last year we shared our OGIS Holiday Wish List here on The FOIA Ombudsman. The jolly man from the North Pole did not bring us our wishes, so we are revising it to reflect upon what OGIS has encountered over … Continue reading OGIS 2023 Holiday Wish List
https://giphy.com/gifs/usnationalarchives-vintage-weird-irbY9jQpbV4Qg Vintage Dress Up by US National Archives via GIPHY. From National Archives Identifier 234273518. This week many Americans will gather with friends and/or family to celebrate Thanksgiving and give thanks. OGIS is no different as we all plan to share time with our loved ones. With that in mind, we also want to say … Continue reading Giving Our Thanks this November
https://giphy.com/gifs/usnationalarchives-archives-archivesgif-naid12065-896NyHxKgOwc8UoIar Your National Archives by US National Archives via GIPHY. From National Archives Identifier 12065. Federal government employees are invited to a Chief FOIA Officers (CFO) Council best practices workshop from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 25. The Council’s Committee on Cross-Agency Collaboration and Innovation (COCACI) Resources Working Group is hosting the … Continue reading Workshop on Using, Sharing Resources Set for October 25
Thursday, October 12 is officially recognized by the Dispute Resolution Section of the American Bar Association (ABA) as Ombuds Day. This annual observation provides an opportunity to educate the public about the role of ombuds and the wide variety of services and value that ombuds provide. As the federal FOIA Ombudsman, OGIS resolves FOIA disputes, … Continue reading Ombuds Day is Thursday, October 12
