[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Mass. Public Records Act



Mr. Saklad
Here is information concerning Massachusetts Public Records Act. Please note
that BPL is allowed to charge a reasonable fee. Review the website's section
concerning Fees. I have placed the url down below for your benefit.

BPL is following the law. As Kim "Way out there in Wyoming" Scott noted -
just pay up if you want the material.

<snip>
The Massachusetts Public Records Law provides that any person has an absolute
right of access to public information. 1/ This right of access includes the
right to inspect, copy or have copies of records provided upon the payment of
a reasonable fee. 2/

The Massachusetts General Laws broadly define "public records" to include all
documentary materials or data, regardless of physical form or
characteristics, which are made or received by any officer or employee of any
Massachusetts governmental entity. 3/ As a result, all photographs, papers
and electronic storage media of which a governmental employee is the
"custodian" constitute "public records." 4/ There are, however, twelve
narrowly construed exemptions to this broad definition of "public records."
5/ This booklet will briefly review the application of these exemptions as
well as explore some of the other issues which arise when a request is made
for access to government records.
http://www.magnet.state.ma.us/sec/pre/prelaw/lawover.htm
<nsip>

Peter Kurilecz
pakurilecz@aol.com

A posting from the Archives & Archivists LISTSERV List!

To subscribe or unsubscribe, send e-mail to listserv@listserv.muohio.edu
      In body of message:  SUB ARCHIVES firstname lastname
                    *or*:  UNSUB ARCHIVES
To post a message, send e-mail to archives@listserv.muohio.edu

Or to do *anything* (and enjoy doing it!), use the web interface at
     http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/archives.html

Problems?  Send e-mail to Robert F Schmidt <rschmidt@lib.muohio.edu>