Public Library Circulation, Anonymized Patron Access Records, and Budget Information
It is a clone of this request.
| Submitted | Feb. 21, 2020 |
| Est. Completion | None |
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Communications
From: Bree Norlander
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Oregon Public Records Law, I hereby request the following records:
1. Total circulation of library materials (broken down by material type) for 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019. Please provide these as aggregated monthly totals for 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
2. Lost library items aggregated monthly for 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019.
3. Patron circulation records including material due dates and material return dates for 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019. If possible, please provide these as hashed (de-identified but with unique key per patron).
4. Annual itemized library budget 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.
5. The total revenue of fines and total revenue of fees collected 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019.
6. 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 2016 and today.
7. The definition (if any) your library uses for "active borrower".
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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 us 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.
The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.
In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 business days.
Sincerely,
Bree Norlander
From:
Bree Norlander / MuckRock News
The City of Coos Bay Library received your letter requesting public records (copy attached). For consistency the City requires all requests for public records be submitted on our form. Please complete the attached request form and resubmit with your letter so we can begin the public records process. Thanks. Any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to ask.
Eric Barker
Accounting Tech
City of Coos Bay
500 Central Avenue
Coos Bay, OR 97420
Ph: (541)269-1181 x2215
Fax: (541267-5912)
ebarker@coosbay.org<mailto:ebarker@coosbay.org>
From: Muckrock Staff
Please find the appropriate form attached. Thank you!
Sincerely,
MuckRock Staff
From: Coos Bay Public Library
MuckRock Staff,
In accordance with ORS 192.440 (2), this is to acknowledge our receipt on 3/6/20 of your request for the following records:
1. Total circulation of library materials (broken down by material type) for 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019. Please provide these as aggregated monthly totals for 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
2. Lost library items aggregated monthly for 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019.
3. Patron circulation records including material due dates and material return dates for 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019. If possible, please provide these as hashed (de-identified but with unique key per patron).
4. Annual itemized library budget 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.
5. The total revenue of fines and total revenue of fees collected 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019.
6. 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 2016 and today.
7. The definition (if any) your library uses for "active borrower".
Having reviewed your request, we are able to inform you that the City of Coos Bay is the custodian of at least some of the requested public records. Based on the scope of your search, we estimate it will require a minimum of 30days before the public records will be available to be inspected or copies of the records will be provided. We estimate the fee for making the records available is $4,511.64, which you must pay in advance as a condition of receiving the records. Please note this is an estimated cost only. Should it take more or less time, your actual charges will be adjusted. Once your payment for $4,511.64 is received and the records are made available, we will gather the information together for you. The City of Coos Bay is NOT set up to receive payment with credit cards via telephone. Payments can be remitted in person or mailed to: City of Coos Bay, 500 Central Avenue, Coos Bay, OR 97420.
Eric Barker
Accounting Tech
City of Coos Bay
500 Central Avenue
Coos Bay, OR 97420
Ph: (541)269-1181 x2215
Fax: (541267-5912)
ebarker@coosbay.org<mailto:ebarker@coosbay.org>
From: Bree Norlander
Dear Erik,
Thank you for your response. We do not have a budget to pay for public records requests. It was our understanding that as an educational institution, seeking information for a scholarly purpose and not for commercial use, we would be exempt from fees. If it is not possible to obtain this information without cost, we will have to cancel the request.
Sincerely,
Bree Norlander
Research Analyst & Coordinator
University of Washington Information School
norlab@uw.edu
From: Coos Bay Public Library
Dear Bree,
Unfortunately the City of Coos Bay does not waive fees for public records requests unless the records are readily available and take less than 15 minutes to retrieve or they are demonstrated to be vital for the public good/safety. The costs associated with retrieving public records is generally not considered an appropriate use of tax payer revenues so the City of Coos Bay requires those expenses be reimbursed. Sorry for any inconvenience.
Eric Barker
Accounting Tech
City of Coos Bay
500 Central Avenue
Coos Bay, OR 97420
Ph: (541)269-1181 x2215
Fax: (541)267-5912
ebarker@coosbay.org<mailto:ebarker@coosbay.org>
From: Bree Norlander
Dear Eric,
Thank you for your explanation. In that case, we will withdraw the request.
Sincerely,
Bree Norlander
Research Analyst & Coordinator
University of Washington Information School
norlab@uw.edu
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