What is required for a custodian to grant an OPRA request for records in use?

In the context of the Open Public Records Act (OPRA) in New Jersey, immediate access to records is a crucial principle when the records are currently in use. This is because OPRA aims to ensure transparency and accessibility of government records to the public. When a member of the public seeks access to records that are not in active use, or those that can be easily retrieved, the custodian is expected to provide that access without undue delay.

However, if the records are actively being used or are otherwise unavailable at the time of the request, the custodian must make arrangements to provide access as soon as feasible, usually by allowing for immediate access once the records are no longer in use or by providing a reasonable timeframe for when they can be made available.

This understanding of immediate access emphasizes the importance of the custodian's role in facilitating the request in a timely manner, ensuring that transparency is upheld in the operation of governmental functions. Hence, the requirement for immediate access aligns with the spirit of OPRA to foster openness in government operations.