Public Access to Information

The general purpose of the Public Access to Information Act 2010 is to make information (not subject to exemptions) accessible to the public in order to increase transparency and accountability about the department’s administration and decision-making processes.

Section 5 (1) of the Public Access to Information Act 2010 requires every public authority to prepare an information statement setting out the following information:

• a description of the structure and organization of the authority and the legislation governing the authority;
• a description of the functions, powers and duties of the authority, including its obligations under this Act;
• a summary of the services that the authority provides, including ongoing programs of the authority;
• a description of all classes of records that are held by the authority, in sufficient detail to facilitate the exercise of the right of access under this Act;
• a description of all manuals used by employees of the authority in administering or carrying out the programs and activities of the authority;
• a description of the policies, rules and guidelines used by the authority to make decisions or recommendations in respect to any person;
• the name and contact information of the person designated by the authority under section 62 as the person to whom requests under this Act may be directed;
• any other information that the head of the authority considers relevant for the purpose of facilitating access by the public to information held by the authority; and
• any other information that may be prescribed.

It is also the aim of Government to have more information placed in the public domain as a matter of routine.

On the right side of this screen you will find links to the Bermuda National Library Information Statements, various Bermuda National Library Policy documents and other reports which provide information about the administration and activities of the Bermuda National Library.

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Right of Access

Access to records

Section 12 (1) of the Public Access to Information Act 2010 states that:

• every person who is a Bermudian or a resident of Bermuda has a right to and shall, on request, be given access to any record that is held by a public authority, other than an exempt record.

Requests must be made in writing and in person so that the requester can provide proof that they are Bermudian or a Bermuda resident. The first step is to contact the Information Officer who will guide you through the process.

For Public Access to Information queries, please contact:

C. Joanne Brangman
jbrangman@gov.bm
(441) 246-7046