5.4: Freedom of Information legislation and information access issues

Table of Contents

1. Freedom of Information legislation
   1. Freedom of Information Act
2. Acceptable Use Policies
3. Content filtering
4. Internet safety with younger clients

Freedom of Information legislation

Freedom of Information legislation was introduced across the United Kingdom at the beginning of 2005. The Freedom of Information (FOI) legislation is different for Scotland from that in the rest of the UK, but the information given here us generally applicable throughout the UK. However you should always check the precise details against the relevant website for your own country.

You can find a comprehensive description of the act and its implications at the website of the Information Commissioner at: www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk and for Scotland at the websites of the Scottish Information Commissioner at: www.itspublicknowledge.info

The FOI legislation provides a right of access to the information of public bodies by individuals. Information can be in print, electronic, video or audio format.

Working in a library you need to be aware of the procedures so that you can assist a client to make an information request on the basis of FOI legislation. You should also be aware of the position regarding your own local authority and its requirements to disclose information.

A client approaches you with a request involving the FOI legislation. He wishes to find out how much money is spent by the local authority on traffic calming measures. Go to the website appropriate to your geographical location and make notes on the process of requesting information which will be useful for clients in the future.

1	Freedom of Information The client returns later saying that a fortnight has passed and he has had not reply. What is your response? A period of twenty days is allowed for the authority to reply to the request.

Let's look in a bit more detail at the Freedom of Information Act ...