AAM has heard from several museums that have received letters asking
them for detailed information on all abandoned property and claiming
that such requests are sanctioned by the Freedom of Information Act
(FOIA) and state laws.

To the best of our knowledge, FOIA does not cover non-Federal museums,
nor are we aware of state laws that would require blanket disclosure of
collections information to anybody who asks (although I'd be glad to
hear if anybody knows otherwise).

Andy Finch
AAM Government Affairs
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> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ann Madonia [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Wednesday, June 10, 1998 7:57 AM
> To:   [log in to unmask]
> Subject:      National Documental Research  Co.
>
> Colleagues,
>
> Has anyone received a letter from the above company requesting
> detailed information about abandoned loans?  If so, please contact me
> off list.  Thanks.
>
>
> Ann C. Madonia
> Curator of Collections
> Muscarelle Museum of Art