Deck. Phat. Cool!

Is this how your students describe reporting and research?

If not, turn them on with The Florida Public Records Handbook, the state’s ultimate guide to the public records they most need to know for success in the working world.

The handbook is packed with insights on how to find and use public records resources online and off for backgrounding, finding sources and generating stories. Use the handbook to teach them just how exciting freedom of information and digging into public records can be. On this page you will find ideas and tips to integrate the handbook and FOI into your news and information gathering courses. I will also offer tip sheets, links and other resources to help you connect your students with the excitement that public records and other research materials can deliver.

For a sampling of the resources to come, visit my Weekly Hit Records link. You will find stories there than you can use today to share various points and insights about reporting and researching.

For instance, the June 16 audit story from the Pensacola News Journal highlights how public records are important in public affairs reporting. Besides using the story as an example, you can direct students to audit reports of state universities and community colleges online. Have the review the latest audit for your school and discuss potential angles for stories, questions to ask and sources to answer them. The June 15 medical malpractice story is a good reference for bringing the current special session into focus while explaining some of the of key malpractice records available and what they offer. In the "Florida public records classics" portion of the page, the Karen Brune Mathis story on the Cracker Barrel shows how public records can speak about development plans even when the players behind them won't. Karen's story from The Florida Times-Union, by the way, can be accessed from the online archives www.jacksonville.com.

Another resource for you and your students is 100 Answers. The link explains just 100 of the useful answers to be found through the public records handbook. Use the questions as starter material for a quiz or exam! I’m in the process of compiling a master list of questions and answers about state FOI and relevant records that you can mix, match or mend to suit your own class purposes. You'll find more FOI-related resources on my Resources link.

Instructors at the University of Florida, Florida A&M, University of North Florida, University of Miami, University of South Florida and University of Central Florida used the first edition of the handbook in some fashion.

Why use the new second edition as a text or suggested reading for your courses? Consider:

It’s a one-of-a-kind resource that can stand on its own or supplement your favorite regular texts. Besides my research, the handbook offers an insightful public records law Q&A by First Amendment Foundation President Barbara Petersen and law summaries from Pat Gleason of the Florida Attorney General’s Office.

Fresh tips from this Web site plus other tipsheets and draft class assignments you can use or adapt to meet your needs and style.

An updates link on this Web site for changes and developments affecting material in the handbook.

My expertise comes with the book. I taught my first public records workshop in 1991, and I do seminars for working journalists throughout Florida on how to use public records for success. See the sample feedback. Besides providing online resources, I’m around for consultation and feedback to help you grow with the material.

Your students will be the winners. And when your class gets rave reviews, so do you!

The handbook is available from the First Amendment Foundation in Tallahassee for $24.95 a copy (ISBN 0-9727559-0-X). The foundation’s Tish Parker (who did a knockout job designing the book cover!) is the order contact at (800) 337-3518. For a sample review copy, email me at joe@idiganswers.com

Thanks for considering the handbook, and good luck with your next course!

Best always,

Joe

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Save money,
save time ...
find answers!

With the new second edition of The Florida Public Records Handbook, the ultimate guide to finding public information in the Sunshine State.

Research it yourself at the courthouse, city hall, state agencies and online! Discover the records to help you find people, research property, check out doctors and nursing homes, monitor government, do your own background checks, scope the competition and much more!

Order your copy!