Appraisal and the FBI files case: For whom do archivists retain records?

Abstract

American Friends Service Committee et al. v. William H. Webster, et al., commonly known to archivists as the FBI files case, illustrates appraisal challenges that should concern all archivists. The author relates the history of the case and reviews archival appraisal literature. In particular, she explains how the case illustrates a need to reevaluate appraisal philosophy that considers the evidential needs of government before the informational needs of the general public.