Federal Records Management

AC 19. 2021

 

Date: March 12, 2021

MEMORANDUM TO FEDERAL AGENCY CONTACTS: Upcoming Sunshine Week Events and New Records Management / FOIA Partnerships

Next week is Sunshine Week, an annual initiative to educate the public about the importance of open government. 

The National Archives’ role in public records access includes the important work done by the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS). Often referred to as the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Ombudsman, OGIS helps to resolve FOIA disputes, identifies methods to improve compliance with the statute, and educates the public about the FOIA process. There is an essential connection between FOIA and records management because together we support the public’s access to our nation’s records.

We wanted to share with you several upcoming opportunities to celebrate Sunshine Week. 

New Collaborative Survey Results

A recent partnership between OGIS and our office explored the relationship between FOIA administration and records management, producing a new report, “Assessing Freedom of Information Act Compliance through the 2019 National Archives and Records Administration’s Records Management Self-Assessment.

National Archives Sunshine Week Program

On Monday, March 15, 2021, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (EDT), join the National Archives on our YouTube Channel for a special conversation with Senior U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth on open government and the legal landscape and a panel of experts discussing the U.S. transparency landscape. 

You'll find more information about the event at https://www.archives.gov/calendar/event/sunshine-week-program-2021

Records Management Training

Connect with our National Records Management Training Program on Facebook during Sunshine Week as we share resources for records managers and FOIA teams.

We will also be working throughout the year with OGIS to strengthen the connection between FOIA and records management programs by developing new briefing and training materials. Stay tuned to Records Express and the FOIA Ombudsman for news and announcements. 

We look forward to celebrating Sunshine Week with you online.


LAURENCE BREWER
Chief Records Officer
for the U.S. Government

 

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