Public Records Requests

[norlab]

MuckRock for public records requests: https://www.muckrock.com/

[norlab]

To Whom It May Concern:

This is a request under the _______ Public Records Law (_________) for a copy of the following records:

• Library fines and fees policies active during (Dates) and date your library became fine-free (or partially fine-free)
  [add additional items based on comments below]

According to (_____local law), every custodian of records is encouraged to waive fees where disclosure would benefit the public interest, as we believe these will. This request is part of a research project by the Information School at the University of Washington to better understand how removal of library fines affects library circulation, patron visits, and library budgets. We are committed to open access and plan to make our findings broadly available to the public. If fees cannot be waived please inform me in advance.

We ask that, if possible, you please respond via email with data files in machine-readable format (examples include .csv, .txt., .xls/x) or if applicable text documents or clear, high-quality scanned PDFs. If you cannot reply electronically, please mail us the best quality copies you reasonably can. Your efforts helps us ensure broad accessibility and equity.

The statute requires your response to this request within _____ business days. Thank you in advance for your cooperation in helping us better understand this important aspect of the work that you do. Please feel free to email me directly if you have any further questions.

Best,

• Bree Norlander
  Research Coordinator & Analyst
  Information School
  University of Washington
  @nniiicc

[nniiicc]

This is great. Tomorrow lets talk though who we should send this to through you CSV

[norlab]

Let's send out the first ten PRRs. Suggested list: https://github.com/OpenDataLiteracy/FinesAndFees/blob/master/Data/First_Ten_PRR.csv
@nniiicc

[norlab]

Hypothesis	Data Needed
total circulation of materials (broken down by material type) increases after fine-free	Aggregated monthly: Total physical item circulation (delineated by first time check-outs versus renewals), Total number of circulations of electronic materials, Total circulation, Electronic Content Use, Total Collection Use
what is the total lost revenue from fines (total $ fines and total $ fees collected before (and after for fees) policy change)	annual itemized library budget
donations increase when fines are removed	donations collected aggregated monthly with description of how donations are solicited
no change in lost items status (because there is still a fee for lost items)	lost item records aggregated monthly
more patrons return physical materials late	hashed (de-identified but with unique key per patron) patron circulation records including material due dates and material return dates
number of "active borrowers" increases	Hashed (de-identified but with unique key per patron) patron circulation records including material due dates and material return dates. Additionally, what (if any) definition does your library use for "active borrower"?

[nniiicc]

Ok, I filed Santa Clara, Nashville, Rochester, and Plano ... Googling the public records officer in SC resulted in this though... :/ https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/06/19/grand-jury-santa-clara-does-a-bad-job-of-handing-over-public-records/

[norlab]

Nic's MuckRock post to Rochester Public:

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the New York Freedom of Information Law , I hereby request the following records:

Total circulation of library materials (broken down by material type) for 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019

Please provide these as aggregated monthly totals for 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019. If possible please include the following details:

• Total physical item circulation (delineated by first time check-outs versus renewals)
• Total number of circulations of electronic materials
• Total circulation
• Electronic Content Use
• Total Collection Use

Lost library items aggregated monthly for 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019.

Patron circulation records including material due dates and material return dates for 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019. Please provide these as hashed (de-identified but with unique key per patron). Additionally, please include what (if any) definition your library uses for "active borrower"?

Annual itemized library budget 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 including any donations made to the library. Please provide a record of donations collected aggregated monthly for these years. Please also provide a description of how donations are solicited.

The total revenue of fines and total revenue of fees collected 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018.

--

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

This request is part of a research project by the Information School at the University of Washington to better understand how removal of library fines affects library circulation, patron visits, and library budgets. We are committed to open access and plan to make our findings broadly available to the public. If fees cannot be waived please inform me in advance.

We ask that, if possible, you please respond via email with data files in machine-readable format (examples include .csv, .txt., .xls/x) or if applicable text documents or clear, high-quality scanned PDFs. If you cannot reply electronically, please mail us the best quality copies you reasonably can. Your efforts helps us ensure broad accessibility and equity.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter.

I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 30 days.

Sincerely,

Nic Weber
Assistant Professor, University of Washington

[norlab]

1. 2020/01/26 FOIA Request to Weymouth, MA sent via email, recorded via FOIA Machine
2. 2020/01/26 FOIA Request to Selbyville, DE sent via https://selbyville.delaware.gov/foia-form/, recorded via FOIA Machine
3. 2020/01/26 FOIA Request to Racine, WI sent via email, recorded via FOIA Machine
4. 2020/01/26 FOIA Request to Lewis Cooper Jr. Memorial Library in Opelika, AL sent via email, recorded via FOIA Machine
5. 2020/01/26 FOIA Request to Nashville Public Library via email, recorded via FOIA Machine DUPLICATE Request - acknowledged this via email asked for further clarification about how to obtain records
6. 2020/01/26 FOIA Request to Santa Clara City, CA sent via city portal, recorded via FOIA Machine
7. 2020/01/26 FOIA Request to Washington County, OR sent via portal: https://washingtoncountyor.govqa.us/WEBAPP/_rs/CustomerIssues.aspx, recorded via FOIA Machine
8. 2020/01/26 FOIA Request to Kitsap County, WA sent via email, recorded via FOIA Machine

Draft Doc here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1J9SBhL6_DuNgmsnQ87u9ZmjErKUKbbXFIPmaCIRc8-0/edit?usp=sharing

[norlab]

Most recent text for requests:

Dear Reader:

Regarding XX Library System

Pursuant to the XX Law, I hereby request the following records:

Total circulation of library materials (broken down by material type) for 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019. Please provide these as aggregated monthly totals for 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019. If possible please include the following details:

Total physical item circulation (delineated by first time check-outs versus renewals)
Total number of circulations of electronic materials
Total circulation
Electronic Content Use
Total Collection Use

Lost library items aggregated monthly for 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019.

Patron circulation records including material due dates and material return dates for 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019. If possible, please provide these as hashed (de-identified but with unique key per patron).

Annual itemized library budget 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 including any donations made to the library. Please provide a record of donations collected aggregated monthly for these years. Please also provide a description of how donations are solicited.

The total revenue of fines and total revenue of fees collected 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019.

The current library policy on fines and fees and the date this policy took effect as well as dates of changes to the policy between 2015 and today.

The definition (if any) your library uses for "active borrower".

--

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

This request is part of a research project by the Information School at the University of Washington to better understand how removal of library fines affects library circulation, patron visits, and library budgets. We are committed to open access and plan to make our findings broadly available to the public. If fees cannot be waived please inform me in advance.

We ask that, if possible, you please respond via email with data files in machine-readable format (examples include .csv, .txt., .xls/x) or if applicable text documents or clear, high-quality scanned PDFs. If you cannot reply electronically, please mail us the best quality copies you reasonably can. Your efforts help us ensure broad accessibility and equity.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter.

I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 30 days.

Sincerely,