The Impact of Freedom of Information on Records Management and Record Use in Local Government: A Literature Review

Abstract

In 2008–2009, a research project, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, was run by the Department of Information Studies at University College London (UCL). It examined the impact of the UK Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2000 on records management services in public authorities, especially in local government. The project considered the inter-relationship between records management and freedom of information, and examined the cooperation and partnerships needed in order to maximise the benefits of freedom of information. A part of the first phase of the research was an extensive literature review: this article introduces the literature on freedom of information and records management, focusing on the UK. It suggests that while there were significant preparations by some public authorities for the full implementation of the Act in 2005, perhaps the necessary culture change and strategic leadership did not follow. There are, as yet, few studies of the user experience of freedom of information, and this is certainly an area needing further study.