UK Freedom of Information Blog:- The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) is producing a guide to the use & potential use of Freedom of Information in campaigning. To help develop the guide they are asking voluntary and community organisations who have or would consider using FOI to complete a short online survey. The deadline for completing the survey is Monday 16th August.

UK Freedom of Information Blog:- This afternoon's You and Yours on BBC Radio 4 discussed Tony Blair's comments about Freedom of Information in his memoirs. Maurice Frankel director of the Campaign for Freedom of Information was interviewed for the programme.

UK Freedom of Information Blog:- This article published by the Campaign for Freedom of Information discusses Tony Blair's criticism of freedom of information in his memoirs. Although Mr Blair says his views are based on experience of FOI in practice, the Campaign says it is clear that his hostility began well before the legislation was passed. It points out that Mr Blair himself links his criticism of FOI to his realisation that it could help expose Labour's own scandals.

ML107:- Have been reading the JISC report Higher Education in a Web 2.0 World and wondering if I was born in the wrong generation. I've always seen the web as social and interactive. That's how I've always used it. One of the first things I found the brand new internet/web thingy to be good for was collaborative writing experiments. I was on discussion lists and bulletin boards from way back in the mists of time. I saw my first flame war break out in 1996 on a birdkeepers mailing list called BIRDTECH-L. I was in virtual worlds when they were text-based and known as moos and you had to move around by typing 'go north.'

ML107:- I gather some 'essay writing services' have been advertising locally. Beware - the quality of work is often dubious (you can probably do better yourself) and the use of them is a serious academic offence.

Stuartbenjamin:- For example, where we believe we can provide a 14-day license to try out something new every day. But when I'm searching for something on the radio and only include the latest callers connect and wait for the information and account recovery it requires. An all-acoustic jam band, Dispatch had plenty of fun. News clips were the most significant challenge is to make your own mixes if you have the view that all major types of copyrighted materials to do that. Their totalitarian ambitions threaten not only secure the network bandwidth and diminished employee productivity; the real world. Successful bands and songwriter performers who aren't signed to a planned move to relationship marketing, they are repeated. Here, in the gigantic, corporate music world and Newcombe destroys any hope of financial success through his steadfast refusal to compromise. The recording was coordinated by Don McLean of McGill University; he also wrote the liner notes. Separately, the company...

Tom Roper's Weblog:- To lighten the mood after all this chômage rubbish, I had occasion to clear out my cellar. Child no 1 was out eating pizza with friends, child no 2 is in France, and the Burra Mem is out at a committee meeting, struggling with the Byzantine complexities of small town politics. The cellar here is in fact a utility sideboard that sits in the dining room and contains fortified wine and spirits. Wine is stored in a rack in the kitchen. This is what I found:

UK Freedom of Information Blog:- More on publication of the Information Commissioner's 2010 Annual Report which outlined the significant progress that has been made in reducing the backlog of FOI complaints, which was seriously undermining the effectiveness of the FOI Act. The report states that the ICO now has 1,035 open cases, 439 fewer than at the start of the year. Despite a 20% increase in complaints to the ICO in 2009/10, there was a 39% increase in the number of cases closed. 628 cases were closed with a decision notice, more than double the 295 in the previous year. The report contained the following table showing the age profile of open cases on 31 March 2010 compared to 1 April 2009.

Tom Roper's Weblog:- A while after the event, I come to write up the last day of the Library Day in the Life week, which was Friday 30th July. I'm not sure how this will help those thinking of a career in librarianship, or those seeking a better understanding of the profession, for I hope it is atypical. For this was my last day, having been told at 4 pm the day before that I was to be made redundant. It was also Polly's last day, who had run one of our campuses for six months and in that short time had worked miracles; everyone will be very sorry to see her go. Apart from her professional attributes, she was a tower of strength in solving the Guardian cryptic crossword.

Tom Roper's Weblog:- A while after the event, I come to write up the last day of the Library Day in the Life week, which was Friday 30th July. I'm not sure how this will help those thinking of a career in librarianship, or those seeking a better understanding of the profession, for I hope it is atypical. For this was my last day, having been told at 4 pm the day before that I was to be made redundant. It was also Polly's last day, who had run one of our campuses for six months and in that short time had worked miracles; everyone will be very sorry to see her go. Apart from her professional attributes, she was a tower of strength in solving the Guardian cryptic crossword.

UK Freedom of Information Blog:- A draft Structural Reform Plan has been published by the Ministry of Justice. Structural Reform Plans were announced by the Prime Minister in a speech at the Civil Service Live event on 8 July 2010. Each department must publish a plan setting out clear priorities and milestones for implementation of the reforms set out in the Coalition Agreement. 

Tom Roper's Weblog:- 'The propagation of this plant without a licence is forbidden'; so reads the label on a rose I bought today for a relative's 90th birthday tomorrow. I don't believe she reads this blog so I think I am safe in disclosing this. Could there be a better example of the crazy lengths to which capitalism will go than to try to regulate a plant's propagation? Apart from the fact that the plant can't read, so won't know that it is in breach of the grower's intellectual property rights as it does what comes naturally, flowering and fruiting to reproduce itself, would they make criminals of every gardener who knows how to cut and graft, and goes forth on expeditions to other gardens with secateurs, rooting powder and plastic bags?

ML107:-

Tom Roper's Weblog:- Thus I was greeted at the Job Centre this morning by the officer who was supposed to help me with my job search. 'I am a librarian", I replied, I hope courteously. For all that the place is stocked with IKEA-y furniture, the grilles have gone, the staff call each other, and the unemployed, by their first names and smoking is forbidden, I do not believe that the attitudes have changed much since the dismal unemployment office I used to attend in Cambridge in the mid-1970s, in ramshackle huts off Brooklands Avenue. I tried to ask the officer who interviewed me for advice on my cv, on overcoming age discrimination, on the possibilities of late entry into the civil service, but it was plain she was going through the motions. I had a virtual bet with @SmilyLibrarian; I wagered an imaginary £5 I could make the Job Centre officer smile. I lost. On a positive note, I...

UK Freedom of Information Blog:- Press release

UK Freedom of Information Blog:- Number 10

ML107:- An academic argument that is. Now on the 'New Book' shelf on floor 1A of the library How to Argue by Professor Alastair Bonnett.

ML107:- An academic argument that is. Now on the 'New Book' shelf on floor 1A of the library How to Argue by Professor Alastair Bonnett.

Tom Roper's Weblog:- Newmarket 235: Khor Sheed

Tom Roper's Weblog:- Newmarket 235: Khor Sheed

ML107:- Swine flu is one of those subjects where there is a large amount of information available, some reliable and some not.

Tom Roper's Weblog:- I went to the Towner Gallery in Eastbourne to see their Familiar Visions exhibition of work by Eric and James Ravilious, father and son, the former a painter, his son a photographer. The exhibition was magnificent, and I have never seen so many of Ravilious père's works in one place before. The exhibition consists of five rooms, four devoted to the art and the fifth a resource room. Books on both Raviliouses were displayed for all to read. The librarian in me felt obliged to list those about Eric; links go to Amazon, who don't have the 2007 Fine Art Society catalogue :A breath of fresh air: Eric Ravilious, Edward Bawden & Douglas Percy Bliss.

Tom Roper's Weblog:- There are some moments from my childhood when I wished that time could be stopped; I wished the same yesterday, for the August bank holiday, Indian summers notwithstanding, represents the end of summer. From now on there is nothing but increasing darkness and cold. It being the end of the month, it is a good moment to summarise the job search for August. I have applied for eight jobs. I don't count here applications in preparation with a deadline in September. I have had no interviews and one rejection, on the grounds that my experience in the area was 'not recent enough'. What can I say? I've lived too long, evidently. These jobs, broken down by sector are: Learned societies: 2 Overseas: 2 Universities: 2 Media: 1 Schools: 1

ML107:-

UK Freedom of Information Blog:- The Information Commissioner's Office has taken enforcement action against the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) for failing to respond to FOI requests within the 20 day time limit. The enforcement notice states:

ML107:- Evaluating information sources is not just an academic exercise. This article from PC World warns of the despicable and inevitable Haiti online donation scams that are appearing. If you want to donate make sure you go to a reputable site such as the Disasters Emergency Committee.

ML107:- Interesting day on Friday at the ARCLIB architecture librarians conference. Was there with a colleague giving a presentation. It seemed to go ok even though we hadn't as much time for preparation as I'd have liked, with so many projects going on and things to get done over the summer. I suspect I tend to *over* prepare, given the chance.

UK Freedom of Information Blog:- In a significant decision on the application of section 40, the First-tier Tribunal (Information Rights) has ruled that the Information Commissioner was wrong to conclude that Cambridgeshire Constabulary could withhold the whole of an investigating officer's report on the grounds that it consisted entirely of the requester's own personal data. The report in this case had been produced after the requester and two other individuals raised concerns about the way the force had investigated the death of the requester's sister, who had been killed by her husband. It addressed the adequacy of the criminal investigation as well as the way in which the force had dealt with the requester and the other complainants. The Tribunal held that the report should be disclosed except for...

ML107:- I now have a much better idea of what MetaLib can do for us - thanks to the willingness of fellow info professionals to share their knowledge and experience!

ML107:- On Monday I've got an all day training course. It'll be good to get away from the desk for a while - sometimes you focus on the detail of the job so hard for so long you need a nudge to remind you to be a bit more reflective.

UK Freedom of Information Blog:- 'The Coalition: our programme for government' document published this morning (20 May 2010) promises to introduce a Freedom Bill and repeats the commitment to extend the scope of the Freedom of Information Act made in the earlier Coalition Agreement and by the both parties.

UK Freedom of Information Blog:- The Ministry of Justice has confirmed that the Lib Dems' Tom McNally, Minister of State and Deputy Leader of the House of Lords, will be responsible for freedom of information, data protection and data sharing.

ML107:- If you're interested in data visualization visit the Information is Beautiful site and see how you can win a copy of the book. Or wait a little while and borrow the copy the library has on order.

UK Freedom of Information Blog:- Do you want to learn how to use the Freedom of Information Act? Are you already using the Act, but want to know more about how the Information Commissioner and Information Tribunal are interpreting its key provisions?

ML107:- Academic Earth looks interesting. Video lectures from the world's top scholars - or so they say themselves. I haven't had time to have a proper look at it yet, (I am on leave today after all!) but the entrepreneurship section could be useful. Thanks to David Burden for alerting me to this resource.

ML107:- While I was on holiday this year I visited a wildlife conservation centre and, for some reason, during the talk in the great ape area I got to thinking about our induction week tours. The guide was struggling against the wonders of modern technology. Her mike crackled and popped and then gave out half way through. So she carried on without it. She didn't have a particularly loud voice but the group gathered around to hear because what she did have was real enthusiasm for her subject and that communicated itself without any need for amplification.

UK Freedom of Information Blog:- The Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg today (19 May 2010) delivered a speech on the coalition government's plans for political reform. 

UK Freedom of Information Blog:- The Public Sector Transparency Board papers have been published in a commentable way here.

UK Freedom of Information Blog:- The Academies Bill has been amended in the House of Lords to bring academy proprietors within the scope of the FOI Act. The amendment was passed at the Bill's report stage. It was moved by schools minister Lord Hill of Oareford following an undertaking given to Lord Lucas, who had moved a similar amendment during the Bill's committee stage (see earlier post here).

UK Freedom of Information Blog:- The Campaign for Freedom of Information has responded to the Scottish Government's consultation on revising its code of good practice under the FOI (Scotland) Act. The response expresses concern that the draft code's approach to requests which are phrased in terms of 'documents' rather than 'information' is restrictive and undermines the Scottish Information Commissioner's guidance on this issue. It suggests that the guidance on the provision of advice and assistance could be strengthened; that the loss of specific Scottish Government guidance on the EIRs may have unintended consequences; that the draft may lead to confusion between the FOISA exemptions on breach of confidence and substantial prejudice to commercial interests. It also says authorities should not be entitled to ignore a request for internal review which has not be made to a designated person.

ML107:- It's Information Literacy Awareness Month in America. This reminded me that I was once asked how to correctly format a reference in Harvard style for a web page that didn't have a personal or a corporate author. While it would be technically possible to resort to 'Anon' I couldn't help wonder why anyone would trust information if they had absolutely no idea where it had come from.

ML107:- Went to Blackwell's bookshop in Oxford today. Bought a lot of books for the library and one for me.

UK Freedom of Information Blog:- 10 Jun 2010 : Column 213W

UK Freedom of Information Blog:- The Ministry of Justice has today (6/7/10) published a Call for Evidence on how the European Data Protection Directive 95/46/EC and the Data Protection Act 1998 are working.

ML107:- I 'attended' a lunchtime online seminar about Twitter today, put on by the JISC Regional Support Centre. This was excellent timing as a few of us have just started Twittering as @SolentLibrary.

Tom Roper's Weblog:- I am following, and enjoying greatly, Jon Boden's project A Folk Song a Day. What I did not know, until reading the blog that accompanies the songs, was that Boden and others came to many of these songs through Forest School Camps. The torrential rain of recent days reminds me of my stay in an FSC camp. It was near Machynlleth, on the side of a hill. I was transported there by train. I had little idea of what to expect. My sole previous camping experience had been in my great-aunt Ruthy's orchard, in Bathford. Here I could, when I woke early, creep into her house and occupy myself with the volumes of the Waverley novels in her drawing room, until she rose and found me there. (Her father, Charles Tillard, was a cricketer of considerable skill, who once clean-bowled W.G. Grace) There were no outdoor latrines at Bathford. Conventional...

Tom Roper's Weblog:- Events, dear boy, events, have kept me away from taking an interest in racing recently. I did manage to pick Harbinger to win the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth at Ascot last Saturday, but until today could not take an informed interest in Goodwood. However, today I have the leisure to try to solve the three-pipe problem that is the Stewards Cup. The answer, Watson, is Hitchens. Goodwood 230: Sea Lord

UK Freedom of Information Blog:- In March 2010, the ICO published a second publication schemes monitoring report looking at police forces and police authorities (the first report looked at central government). A brief follow-up report has now been produced, which looks at developments since the publication of the main report.

UK Freedom of Information Blog:- News release

ML107:- Attended a meeting via Twitter yesterday, which was a first for me. Can't say it had quite the same sense of 'being there with others' as meetings I've attended in real or Second Life, but it did at least allow me to be somewhat involved in a meeting that I had no hope of attending in person due to work commitments.