To make a request please contact us at [email protected]
The Re-use of Public Sector Information Regulations 2015 (RoPSI) establish the UK framework for the re-use of public sector information. Re-use means using public sector information, for a purpose other than the initial public task it was produced for.
The purpose of RoPSI is to make information easier to re-use, resulting in economic, social and civil benefits. Information produced, held or disseminated by public sector bodies constitutes a vast, diverse and valuable pool of resources. The ethos of RoPSI is that where public money has been used to create information resources, the public should be able to benefit from it.
RoPSI applies to public sector bodies including local government, but also includes the cultural sector to include libraries (including Anglia Ruskin University Library) museums and archives. Anglia Ruskin University Library is therefore required to comply with the Regulations.
RoPSI regulates how information the library holds or creates is made available for re-use. The regulations require that the library publishes:
Unlike other public sector bodies, libraries and other cultural institutions are not legally obliged to allow re-use but may permit re-use. It is important to remember that RoPSI does not apply to information that would be exempt from disclosure under information access legislation such as the Data Protection Act (the DPA), the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) or the Environmental Information Regulations (EIR).
However, information that would be exempt from an access request under section 21 of FOIA because it is already reasonably accessible to the requester (for example because it is on our website) would normally be available for re-use.
RoPSI does not apply to recorded information that Anglia Ruskin University Library holds if someone else owns the intellectual property rights (e.g. the copyright or database right). We can only legally permit re-use if ARU holds the intellectual property rights to the information.
We will usually make a reasonable charge for providing this service (see Charging for Information)
Our Public Task Statement sets out the functions carried out by Anglia Ruskin University Library and what information is available for re-use under the Re-use of Public Sector Information Regulations 2015. This statement is regularly reviewed to ensure it is current. The wider university is exempt from these regulations.
The Public Task of the library is articulated by its Mission and Values.
Anglia Ruskin University’s history started in 1858 when John Ruskin opened Cambridge School of Art. The Art School grew to become Anglia Ruskin University and it is still at the heart of our Cambridge Campus. Over the years a number of colleges and institutes have become part of Anglia Ruskin University. They include the Cambridgeshire College of Arts and Technology (CCAT) and the Essex Institute of Higher Education (formerly the Chelmer Institute). At first these colleges combined to become Anglia Polytechnic and then Anglia Polytechnic University in 1992. We have been known as Anglia Ruskin University since 2005.
Anglia Ruskin University Library holds and produces large amounts of information in various formats. It aims to provide a study environment, resources and services that significantly enhance scholarly activity and independent learning and research. Our primary aim is to support students and staff of the university in all areas of their study and research. You can re-use information that is produced by the service free of charge provided it is not subject to copyright, data protection or a third-party agreement.
Details of library rules, regulations and policies relating to library collections and services are available on the library website