Consistent with the ACLU-NC’s support for freedom of information and informed public discourse on matters of public interest, the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California records are open to researchers. However, some categories of records in the collection are restricted to protect privacy, confidentiality, and attorney-client privilege. These restrictions are identified in the Access Policy for the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California Archives at the California Historical Society and summarized below.

All researchers must sign the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California Archives Records Access Agreement, confirming that they have read and understood the restrictions outlined in the Access Policy for the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California Archives at the California Historical Society. These documents are available at the reference desk and can be sent by e-mail.

Restricted Materials in the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California records, MS 3580:

Personnel records: Records that deal with personnel issues are closed during the lifetime of the person to whom they apply. This restriction will be lifted if the person to whom the records apply gives his or her permission in writing to disclose said information.

Administrative records: Records maintained by ACLU-NC administrators are closed for 20 years after the creation of the record or 10 years after its deposit at the California Historical Society, whichever is later, but in no case for more than 30 years after the creation of the record.

Development records: Records relating to financial support from foundations or other legal entities but not to individuals or their family foundations are closed for the same period as administrative records. If they contain information about substantive policy issues, records relating to individual donors or their family foundations are closed for the same period as administrative records. Where opened, the portions relating to individuals or their family foundations are closed during the lifetime of the person to whom they apply. This restriction will be lifted if the person to whom the records apply gives his or her permission in writing to disclose said information.

Legal case records:

Work-product privileged records, including correspondence, memoranda, drafts or briefs prepared in anticipation of litigation, written statements of witnesses, and notes of mental impressions or personal recollections prepared or formed by an attorney, are closed for 20 years after the case to which they apply is closed.

Attorney-client privileged records, including any documents reflecting an exchange of communication with a client or a potential client made for the purpose of furnishing or obtaining professional legal advice and assistance, are closed for 75 years after the creation of the record for all clients except children, where the period of closure is 100 years after the creation of the record.

Other confidential records, including classified documents, documents that a court has placed under seal or subject to a protective order, and documents that identify clients who have been represented anonymously or pseudonymously, are permanently closed unless the records are declassified or unsealed, the protective order is modified, or the client or the client’s legal representative has waived the privilege in writing.