Access to Public Records

Access to Public Records

(Adopted 3/25/2014)

The amended Freedom of Information Law, which took effect on January 1, 1978, gives citizens the right to access many public records. The following rules govern the access of records generated and maintained by the Harborfields Public Library.

The Library Director is the custodian of all Library records and serves as the "records access officer."

The Minutes of the Library's Board of Trustees Meetings and the Library's Policies and Procedures Manual are available for viewing at any time the Library is open to the public.

Requests to view any other records must be made in writing to the Director.

Written requests should include the name and mailing address of the requestor as well as a reasonable description of the records being sought. A Freedom of Information form is available in the Business Office.

The Director will respond to all written requests within five business days.

If a request is granted the requestor may gain access to the records in one of three ways:

1. Records may be viewed at the Library from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday – Thursday and 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Fridays.
2. Photocopies of the records can be made for a fee of 25 cents per page.
3. Electronically, if the requested records exist in digital format.

If a request is denied the Director will inform the requestor in writing of the reason for the denial and inform the requestor of their right to appeal.

All appeals will be heard by the Board of Trustees at the next regularly scheduled meeting.