Information Rights in Practice: The Non‐legal Professional's Guide

Citation

Freeman, M. (2008), "Information Rights in Practice: The Non‐legal Professional's Guide", New Library World, Vol. 109 No. 7/8, pp. 398-399. https://doi.org/10.1108/03074800810888249

CILIP, as befits a well‐established and reputable professional body, produces several good, up to date and helpful guides for practitioners. This book is one of its latest guides, written by a knowledgeable and experienced practitioner specialising in this growing field of professional importance. As our society grows ever more litigious it behoves the prudent LIS professional to be well informed and confident in the area of information rights law and its applications.

The book is well laid out and clearly printed and provides good coverage of all the relevant legislation impinging upon the LIS professional's work. The book is careful to explain clearly and effectively the many labyrinthine aspects of information law and to explain clearly the many technical and legal terms used in this area of legislation. It is a complex and confusing arena but the author manages successfully to write interestingly and clearly for his lay audience. Such important legislation as the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Data Protection Act of 1998 are well covered, with clear exposition and germane examples. The “end of chapter” summaries are lucid and helpful and there is a good glossary and a well‐organised index and useful bibliography.

This is a well‐produced and helpful guide for LIS practitioners, which would be useful for students too. It is well written, lucid and covers effectively this difficult and complex area of professional involvement and legislation with many practical examples and case studies to help the reader.