45 Field-Tested Tips for Managing Public Records Requests

If public records management is part of your role—whether you’re a clerk, administrator, assistant, or part of a larger records team—you know how complex it can get. This field guide delivers 45 clear, actionable tips to help public records teams strengthen their response processes, reduce manual workloads, and improve how they communicate with the public.

You’ll find practical strategies for:

• Clarifying vague or complex requests without delaying service
• Staying compliant with changing FOIA laws and state-specific rules
• Building a workflow that holds up during elections, emergencies, and audits
• Communicating more clearly with residents—and internally with other departments
• Using automation and templates to streamline repetitive work without cutting corners