Public Records Policy

Request for Public Records

The Fairfield County District Library shall comply with Ohio Revised Code Section 149.43 entitled "Availability of Public Records for Inspection and Copying" as the statute is amended from time to time. ORC Section 149.43 in general provides that upon request, all public records responsive to the request and not specifically excluded from disclosure, shall be promptly prepared and made available for inspection to any person at all reasonable times during regular business hours.

All library requests shall be referred to the Library Director or his/her designee. In order to facilitate broader access of such records, the library shall maintain its records in such a manner that they can be made available in accordance with this policy. Copies of records shall be made available within a reasonable amount of time and cost of copying and postage shall be required in advance, if requested by FCDL. A request for records does not have to be made in writing; however, the library will provide a written acknowledgement of all requests. FCDL may ask for the requester's identity or ask for the intended use of the information requested, but the requester is not required to provide this information.

If a requester makes an ambiguous or overly broad request or has difficulty in making a request for copies or inspection of public records such that the library cannot reasonably identify what public records are being requested, the request may be denied. However, the requester may be given the opportunity to revise the request and the library will make every effort to inform the requester of the proper manner in which records are maintained.

Any denial of public records requested will include an explanation, including legal authority. If portions of a record are public and portions are exempt, the exempt portions will be redacted and the remainder released.

The Director of the Library or his/her designee shall take steps as deemed appropriate to educate all Library employees of this policy and the Director is authorized and directed to implement procedures in furtherance of this policy.

Passed by Resolution Number: 98-07 dated November 20, 2007