[Genealib] addresses on information requests

[Susan Scouras]

I think old-fashioned letters still have a reasonable expectation of
privacy, although anything in the files of a public agency is subject to
a FOIA request.  If an institution is making all of its correspondence
public, it needs to state that policy in its brochures, on request
forms, on its Web site and in its reply letters.  I treat a research
request letter with the same "privilege" as I do a research-related
conversation with library patron.  Staff members may talk about it among
themselves and share ideas for resources, and may even use the situation
as an example when helping other patrons with similar problems, but will
not provide names and contact info without an individual's permission.  
 
Similarly, we award unclaimed West Virginia Civil War medals to
descendants who can prove their relationship to the original recipients.
We do not provide a public list of those who have received medals.  If
someone wants to know who successfully claimed a specific medal, we send
their info to the recipient and let the recipient decide if he wants to
make himself known.  Again, a FOIA request can be filed if someone wants
to go that far.  
 
I am not an overly private person, but I know many other people who
guard their personal information closely.  I also think birth, death and
marriage records are public information, not private, but many county
and state governments disagree with me these days.
 
Susan Scouras
Librarian
WV Archives and History Library
The Cultural Center
1900 Kanawha Blvd. East
Charleston, WV  25305-0300
(304) 558-0230, Ext. 742
 
 
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