The Bonneville County Library District (BCLD) is a public entity and disclosure of public records is governed by Idaho Code. The following information is intended to provide guidance to Trustees and Library Staff, as well as patrons and the general public, regarding essential and non-essential documents related to the history, business, and operations of the Library available upon proper request.
BCLD’s records include information that is retained for a variety of purposes and pursuant to Idaho Code, §§ 74-106 and 74-108, certain personnel records and identifying information about patrons, staff, and contributors may be subject to exemption from disclosure.
For further information, guidance and applicable policy and procedure, reference should be made to the provisions of the Public Records Act, found in Idaho Code, §§ 74-101 through 74-126.
In responding to public record requests, BCLD has a dual responsibility of respecting the public right to examine and copy records subject to disclosure, as well as following the directives of the law pertaining to records which are exempt from disclosure.
Statistical circulation information that does not identify any particular person may be made available for examination and copying.
If a request for a record is denied in whole or in part, the Library shall notify the person making the request in writing or by email. This notification will indicate whether the Library’s attorney has been consulted and reviewed the request and identify the statutory authority for the denial.
To Request a Public Record
A patron must fill out the Request for Public Records form, available at the circulation desk, and acknowledge that the requested records or information will not be used for a mailing or telephone list, prohibited by Idaho Code, § 74-102.
- Ordinarily, the requesting party will be notified whether the request for records will be granted or denied, in whole or part, within 3 working days.
- If a longer time is required to locate or retrieve the requested records, or to determine whether the request can be granted, the person making the request shall be notified in writing.
- Examination and/or copies of the records subject to public disclosure will be provided within ten (10) working days, beginning on the working day following the submission of the request. If no response is provided within ten (10) working days the request will be deemed to be denied.
Fees
In most cases, no fee will be charged for examining or copying public records in accordance with Idaho Code, § 74-102. Depending upon the nature of the request, the character and volume of public records requested and the staff time expended in responding, the following fees may be assessed.
- A fee for the cost of copies in excess of 100 pages.
- A fee for the cost of labor in excess of 2 hours based on the hourly payroll rate of the lowest paid administrative staff employee or employees necessary and qualified to process the request. Depending on the request, the Library may not be able to determine this rate until the documents are retrieved and reviewed.
- A fee for the cost of attorney fees if the request includes nonpublic information. In certain instances, addressed in Idaho Code, § 74-102, the requesting party may be exempt from paying such charges.
- A requestor may not file multiple requests to avoid payment of fees. An itemized statement explaining any assessed fees will be provided to the requesting person.
- In determining if fees are owed, the Library will combine the total staff time required in responding to multiple requests on the same or related subjects.
- The Library may require advanced payment of assessable fees.