Richard, 

Then how does the act define:
	
	'...collect/record...' and '...research...'

If the data is stored in the LMS database is that 'collected/recorded'? 

If a standard suppier report or an ad-hoc MIS report from a reporting
tool (e.g. Cognos, Business Objects) - if the service had one - could
get it out, is that 'research'?

Isn't all that just operations? Not possible on a paper based system,
but if in an LMS?

However, fines on unreturned items may be dynamic (appearing only online
in the LMS, not the database), and affected by a maximum set in the LMS
(unlike fines on returned items, and charges on loans) so technically it
may be hard, if not impossible, to determine the fines on unreturned
items from a report, if the LMS can't display it online.

And removing a fine maximum from a live system (or even an online backup
copy) to generate figures also seems a tad problematic...

And overdue items have to be written off at some point - which then
generates a fine which has to be written off too. But then would they
count for this request?

Otherwise we could be reporting overdue titles going back to our first
online systems in the 80's - or even back to batch processing in the
70's. So it it a 6 year limit on financial records? or 3 years for Local
Government Audit purposes?

Hmmm...

JU

John Usher 
ICT Manager 
Library and Heritage Services 
Islington Council 
Central Library 
2 Fieldway Crescent 
LONDON N5 1PF 

Tel: 020 7527 6920 
Mobile: 07825 098 223 
Fax: 020 7527 6926 
Alternative contact: Michelle Gannon - 020 7527 6907 

www.islington.gov.uk 


How to get to Central Library:
http://www.islington.gov.uk/Education/Libraries/Local/Central.asp 





-----Original Message-----
From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Taylor, Richard
Sent: 28 September 2011 13:11
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [LIS-PUB-LIBS] Freedom of Information Request

Just to point out that the purpose of a Freedom of Information request
is to gain access to information that already exists/is recorded for
business purposes by your organisation.  

 

If the enquirer is asking for information which you do not already
collect/record then you can't supply it - the act does NOT oblige you to
carry out research to create new information simply to respond to a
request (i.e. researching figures for a speculative exercise about what
fines would have been if some hypothetical situation occurred about
which you don't collect data because it's a hypothetical situation.)  

 

Richard

Richard Taylor BA MArAd, Archives & Local History Development Manager
Tel: 07879 117218  My normal working days at City of York Council are
Monday-Thursday 



 

From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Dash Graham
Sent: 28 September 2011 12:43
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Freedom of Information Request

 

Has anyone else had this request from journalist Rebecca Seales? If yes,
have you managed to answer all the questions? 

I'm finding it very difficult as there's obviously little understanding
as to how fines/bill for replacement processes work.

 

I would like to request information about the following:

1. How many public libraries are there in the borough? (Not including
those in schools, universities, prisons, etc - just the number run for
the general public.)

2. How many books, DVDs and CDs are currently overdue at these
libraries? (If calculating this will exceed the cost limit, please give
a figure for books only.)

3. What is the total estimated value of fines on these items? If the
council caps its fines, please also give the figure which would
theoretically be owed if they had not been capped.  

3. Which are the five most overdue items at public libraries in the
borough? In each case, please give the title, author, when the item was
borrowed and the size of the fine attached to it. 

As above, where fines have been capped please outline what the fine
would be if it had been allowed to increase unchecked.

4. If the council's libraries have had any books or other resources
returned which were overdue by several years, I would be grateful for
information on these cases.  

 

Thanks

 

Graham

Graham Dash, MCLIP, Library Services Manager (Systems & Development) 
Environment & Leisure Group, Leisure & Libraries
London Borough of Sutton, Central Library, St Nicholas Way, SUTTON,
Surrey  SM1 1EA . 

Tel.: 020 8770 4763, Mobile: 07515137830, Fax: 020 8770 4777 

Borough web site: www.sutton.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=907 
Library Catalogue web site: www.sutton-libraries.gov.uk 

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