2023 - November and December - page 17
Image details
| Issue number | 395 |
|---|---|
| ISSN | 2632-7171 |
| Publication date | 1st November 2023 |
| Transcription |
Feature magazine Call centre © Alex Kotliarskyia on Unsplash members of society is effectively discrimination. Information professionals are gatekeepers to personal information and inaction to improve knowledge in this area is locking a section of society out from the, seemingly, simple tasks we may take for granted. For instance, changing a utility supplier to get a better price or accessing banking. I’m sure many of us simultaneously take a sharp intake of breath, whilst sighing in relief that it isn’t us, at the many headlines that dominate the news around data breaches and leaks. The protection of personal information is of great importance and rightly so. Its protection should be at the forefront of every organisation’s operations. However, the application of GDPR/DPA shouldn’t be used as a blunt instrument to block legitimate access. As a profession we can play a key role in adding value to the organisation we serve by educating and providing support to colleagues in public facing roles to be able to: a) Understand the mechanisms within information legislation to ensure that personal data is kept secure, whilst providing access in a lawful manner b) Recognise an LPA request and be able to either deal with the request directly or know the correct processes within your organisation to give the requester an equitable customer service experience c) To raise awareness in this growing field, ARA would like to: a) Collect case studies highlighting good practice to share with members; and by doing so offer practical, working examples that can be implemented into your own organisation b) Link in with other relevant organisations to participate in the promotion of the record- keeping sector and the ways in which the sector can have a positive influence on improving ways of working for information access c) Develop an ARA working group to allow members to learn, discuss and share experiences around this subject. What’s Next? If your organisation has done work within the area of information access, we would love to hear from you! Your experience and ideas are invaluable to building a more inclusive experience for information access. Please contact me at elizabeth.thompson-macrae@archives.org.uk if you would like to be involved in this work. Woman over 50 at work © In-press photography for Centre for Ageing Better Provide clear and easy to understand information on organisational websites for customers acting on behalf of an LPA Instruction. This can include a clear point of contact, list of documentation required for proof etc. What is ARA doing? As part of ARA’s organisational horizon scanning, we recognise the increasing relevance and impact of LPAs on the record-keeping sector. 17 |