The Cuyahoga Falls Library will adhere to its obligations under Ohio’s Public Records Act. Every record kept by the Library will be made available to any person by request at all reasonable times unless they are exempt from disclosure under Ohio law. Any denial of public records in response to a valid request will be accompanied by an explanation,
including legal authority, as outlined in the Ohio Revised Code (Chapter 149).
Public Records
The Library, in accordance with the Ohio Revised Code, considers “records” to include (i) any document, device, or item, regardless of physical form or characteristic, including an electronic record (including but not limited to email); (ii) created, received by or coming under the jurisdiction of the Library; (iii) which serves to document the
organization, functions, policies, decisions, procedures, operations, or other activities of the Library.
"Records" does not include personal notes or any document, device, or item, regardless of physical form or whether an assistive device or application was used, of a Library employee, trustee, attorney, or other agent, that is used, maintained, and accessed solely by the individual who creates it or causes its creation.
All records of the Library meeting this definition are public unless they are specifically exempt from disclosure under Ohio law. As required by Ohio Law, records will be organized and maintained so that they are available for inspection and copying at all reasonable times during regular business hours. Copies will be made available within a reasonable period of time.
A records retention policy will be updated as needed and made available to the public.
Record Requests
The Library Director, or a designee, will evaluate and respond to each request for public records using the following guidelines:
Although no specific language is required to make a request, the requester must at least identify the records requested with sufficient clarity to allow the Library to identify, retrieve, and review the records. If it is not clear what records are being sought, the Library will contact the requester for clarification and offer assistance to the requester in revising the request by informing the requester of the manner in which the Library keeps its records.
There is no specific form on which to make a request. The requester may, but does not have to, put a records request in writing. Requesters do not have to disclose their identities or the intended use of the requested public record(s). The Library may ask for an identity and/or intended use only if knowing the identity or intended use would benefit
the requester by enhancing the Library’s ability to identify, locate, or deliver the requested public records, but any such request will not be mandatory.
Public records will be made available for inspection promptly during regular Library business hours. Copies of public records will be provided within a reasonable period of time.
Any denial of public records requested will include an explanation, including legal authority. If portions of a record are public and portions are exempt, the exempt portions will be redacted (explanation provided) and the rest released. Redactions should be plainly visible.
Costs for Public Records
Those seeking public records will be charged only the actual cost of making and/or delivering copies.
Upon request, the Library will transmit a copy of a public record to any person by electronic means (including but not limited to email), United States mail, or by any other means of delivery or transmission within a reasonable time after receiving the request for the copy.
The Library may require the requester to pay in advance for the cost of postage or other means of delivery and the costs incurred for supplies used in the mailing, delivery, or transmission. The Library may require a requester to pay in advance for the cost of providing a copy of the requested public record in accordance with the requester's
choice of the medium in which the copy is duplicated.
Board of Trustee Meeting Minutes
The minutes of the meetings of the Board of Trustees will be posted on the Library’s website after the minutes have received Board approval.
Approved by the Cuyahoga Falls Library Board of Trustees, January 27, 2026