automation of manual indices (FBI)

Jason Smathers filed this request with the Federal Bureau of Investigation of the United States of America.
Tracking #

1170001-000

Status
Completed

Communications

From: Jason Smathers

To Whom It May Concern:

This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act. I hereby request the following records:

All records on, about, mentioning, or concerning the automation of manual indices previously used for manual searching of FBI records by those who process FOIA requests sent to the FBI.

I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as I believe this request is in the public interest. The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage.

In the event that fees cannot be waived, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 20 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Jason Smathers

From: "Sobonya, David P." <David.Sobonya@ic.fbi.gov>

Dear Mr. Smathers,

The FBI has received your Freedom of Information Act/Privacy (FOI/PA) request and it will be forwarded to the Work Process Unit or a Single Station Disclosure Team for review. Your request will be processed under the provisions of FOI/PA and a response will be mailed to you at a later date.

Requests for fee waivers and expedited processing will be addressed once your request has been assigned an FOI/PA request number. You will receive written notification of the FBI's decision.

Information regarding the Freedom of Information Act/Privacy is available at http://www.fbi.gov/ or http://www.fbi.gov/foia/. Upon receipt of an FOI/PA Request Number, you can check the status of your request online at: http://www.fbi.gov/foia/, and by clicking on the 'Check Status of Your FOI/PA Request' link under the (Records Available Now) section. If you require additional assistance please contact the Public Information Officer.

Thank you,

David P. Sobonya
Public Information Officer/Legal Admin. Specialist
Front Office
Record/Information Dissemination Section (RIDS)
FBI-Records Management Division
170 Marcel Drive, Winchester, VA 22602-4843
Direct: (540) 868-4286
PIO Number: (540) 868-4593
Fax: (540) 868-4997

From: Federal Bureau of Investigations

From: "Read, Benjamin A." <Benjamin.Read@ic.fbi.gov>

Mr. Smathers,

This regards your FOIA request for records "on, about, mentioning, or concerning the automation of manual indices previously used for manual searching of FBI records by those who process FOIA requests sent to the FBI."

As worded, this request covers a potentially very large amount of responsive documents. For example, since the automation of the above-mentioned indices was initiated, we have been adding language about it in our responses to hundreds of FOIA requests (including, of course, requests from muckrock.com). Is your request intended to cover each letter generated for each requester, for example? I am wondering if you are able to clarify a little bit more exactly what it is you are seeking.

I understand from your request letter that you prefer to be contacted by e-mail, but I want you to feel free to contact me by phone to discuss the details of this request if you believe it would be beneficial. Otherwise, e-mail will do fine.

Benjamin A. Read
Work Process Unit
Records Management Division
170 Marcel Drive, Room M-18
Winchester, VA 22602-4843
540-868-2311

From: Jason Smathers

Benjamin.Read@ic.fbi.gov

Benjamin A. Read,

Thank you for your email!

You may exclude the records which simply mention the automation of the manual indices such as the example you provided of responses to FOIA requests.

Please let me know if you have any further questions or suggestions to help narrow the field further.

Thanks!

-Jason

From: "Read, Benjamin A." <Benjamin.Read@ic.fbi.gov>

Mr. Smathers,

I appreciate your prompt response.

I would be happy to provide suggestions on how to narrow the scope of your request; however, it will really depend on what you are looking for.

Maybe a summary about the automation process would be helpful to you in making a decision. From its inception in 1908 until around the late '70s, the FBI indexed all of its files using individual index cards. These cards were organized (at headquarters and field offices) by subject in large filing drawers (imagine an enormous version of an old library card catalog). Until recently, the only way for us to search for investigative files created in the time period 1908-late '70s involved manually searching through these large card catalogs. It was decided that it would be better to "automate" all of these cards (i.e. electronically scan them all) so that they can be searched by computer. There are literally millions of index cards, so the process is time intensive.

So, what is it about this process that you are seeking? If you can nail that down for me, then I can certainly give you some suggestions.

Let me know.

Benjamin A. Read
Work Process Unit
Records Management Division
170 Marcel Drive, Room M-18
Winchester, VA 22602-4843
540-868-2311

From: Jason Smathers

Benjamin.Read@ic.fbi.gov

Benjamin A. Read,

Thanks again for getting back with me.

The letters stating the manual indices are not currently being searched in response to FOIA requests currently being received prompted this FOIA request and I am seeking records related to the impact on current FOIA processing.

I am looking for how this process is interfering with responding to current requests. Who decided to do an incomplete search while the process is underway and the records involved in that decision. What exactly is being done that prevents the search of the records and why the search is canceled completely instead of just waiting until the records are available again.

Thanks!

-Jason

From: Jason Smathers

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 15, 2011. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #1170001-000.

Thank you for your help.

From: Jason Smathers

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 15, 2011. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #1170001-000.

Thank you for your help.

From: MuckRock.com

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 15, 2011. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #1170001-000.

Thank you for your help.

From: MuckRock.com

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 15, 2011. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #1170001-000.

Thank you for your help.

From: MuckRock.com

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 15, 2011. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #1170001-000.

Thank you for your help.

From: "Read, Benjamin A." <Benjamin.Read@ic.fbi.gov>

Good afternoon,

We have received your request on the above-referenced subject. We have conducted several hours of searching and have located approximately six files (approx. 5,000 pages total) that are potentially responsive to your request. There are several additional files that we still need to analyze to determine responsiveness, and there are still several variations/aka's pertaining to your subject that need to be searched.

Before we continue with the processing of this request, I wanted to touch base with you to determine if there might be something more specific (e.g. date range, location, event, etc.) that you are particularly interested in, as providing such information may speed up processing and possibly avoid unnecessary cost to you.

From: Jason Smathers

You may limit the search to records created between 1/20/2009 and 4/23/2012.

From: MuckRock.com

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 15, 2011. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #1170001-000.

Thank you for your help.

From: Read, Benjamin A.

Regarding 1170001, a final release of 20 pages was made to you on March 23, 2012.

From: MuckRock

Mr. Read,

Thank you for getting back to us. The final release of 20 pages you mention for 1170001 was never received. Could you please resend?

Thank you.

From: MuckRock.com

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 15, 2011. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #1170001-000.

Thank you for your help.

From: MuckRock.com

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 15, 2011. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #1170001-000.

Thank you for your help.

From: MuckRock.com

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 15, 2011. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #1170001-000.

Thank you for your help.

From: MuckRock.com

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 15, 2011. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #1170001-000.

Thank you for your help.

From: MuckRock.com

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 15, 2011. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #1170001-000.

Thank you for your help.

From: MuckRock.com

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 15, 2011. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #1170001-000.

Thank you for your help.

From: Read, Benjamin A.

This request was closed in March of 2012, when 20 pages of material were released to you.

From: MuckRock.com

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 15, 2011. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #1170001-000.

Thank you for your help.

From: Read, Benjamin A.

This request was closed in March of 2012, when 20 pages of material were released to you.

From: Jason Smathers

Can you please email me a duplicate of these 20 pages? I got an email from you saying there were over 5,000 pages of potentially responsive records, but do not have any record of resolving that or receiving the final release.

From: MuckRock.com

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 15, 2011. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #1170001-000.

Thank you for your help.

From: MuckRock.com

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 15, 2011. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #1170001-000.

Thank you for your help.

From: MuckRock.com

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 15, 2011. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #1170001-000.

Thank you for your help.

From: MuckRock.com

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 15, 2011. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #1170001-000.

Thank you for your help.

From: MuckRock.com

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 15, 2011. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #1170001-000.

Thank you for your help.

From: MuckRock.com

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 15, 2011. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #1170001-000.

Thank you for your help.

From: MuckRock.com

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 15, 2011. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #1170001-000.

Thank you for your help.

From: MuckRock.com

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 15, 2011. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #1170001-000.

Thank you for your help.

From: MuckRock.com

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 15, 2011. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #1170001-000.

Thank you for your help.

From: MuckRock.com

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 15, 2011. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #1170001-000.

Thank you for your help.

From: MuckRock.com

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 15, 2011. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #1170001-000.

Thank you for your help.

From: MuckRock.com

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 15, 2011. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #1170001-000.

Thank you for your help.

From: MuckRock.com

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 15, 2011. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #1170001-000.

Thank you for your help.

From: MuckRock.com

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 15, 2011. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #1170001-000.

Thank you for your help.

From: MuckRock.com

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 15, 2011. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #1170001-000.

Thank you for your help.

From: MuckRock.com

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 15, 2011. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #1170001-000.

Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.

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