PAL Reading Room File Cabinets

All agencies are required by the FOIA to make certain types of records created by the agency available to the public. All records are stored in a repository in the appropriate format, to be retrieved later for transmission. FOIAXpress enables you to post information to the PAL Reading Room on a scheduled basis, or on demand, where individual Requesters can download the requisite information without having to make a formal FOIA request. The PAL Reading Room is updated on a timely basis, so that when a request for information arises, the information is readily available. The updating operation is done on a periodic basis, based on the frequency of requests received by the agency.

These records include:

1. Final opinions and orders made in adjudicating cases.

2. Final statements of policy and interpretations which have not been published in the Federal Register.

3. Administrative staff manuals and instructions to staff that affect a member of the public.

4. Copies of records that have been the subject of a FOIA request, and that are of sufficient public interest or curiosity.

5. An agency's annual FOIA report, which includes information such as the number of Requests received by the agency, the amount of time taken to process Requests, the total fees collected by the agency, information regarding the backlog of pending Requests, and other information about the agency's handling of FOIA Requests.

Create PAL Reading Room File Cabinet

PAL Reading Room File Cabinets need to be created within FOIAXpress. Once created, they can be enabled and displayed on your agency’s PAL Web Portal. Follow the steps below to create a PAL Reading Room File Cabinet:

1. Click Administration > Document Management > PAL Reading Room - File Cabinets. The PAL Reading Room - File Cabinets screen displays as shown below.
   
   

2. Click New. The New PAL-Reading Room File Cabinet screen displays as shown below
   
    

3. Enter a File Cabinet Name.

4. Enter a Description.

5. Click Save. A verification message displays as shown below.
   
   

6. Click OK.

Edit PAL Reading Room File Cabinet

Follow the steps below to Edit a PAL Reading Room File Cabinet:

1. Click Administration > Document Management > PAL Reading Room - File Cabinets. The PAL Reading Room - File Cabinets screen displays.

2. Select the PAL Reading Room File Cabinet you want to edit, then click Edit. The Edit screen for the selected File Cabinet displays.

3. Make any necessary modifications, then click Save. A verification message displays.

4. Click OK.

Delete PAL Reading Room File Cabinet

Follow the steps below to delete a PAL Reading Room File Cabinet:

1. Click Administration  > Document Management > PAL Reading Room-File Cabinets. The PAL Reading Room-File Cabinets screen displays.

2. Select the PAL Reading Room File Cabinet you want to delete.

3. Click Delete. A verification message displays.

4. Click OK.

Change the Order of PAL Reading Room File Cabinets

If you have created more than one PAL Reading Room File Cabinet, you can change the order in which they appears. Follow the steps below to change the order of the PAL Reading Room Filing Cabinets:

1. Click Administration > Document Management > PAL Reading Room-File Cabinets. The PAL Reading Room-File Cabinets screen displays as shown below.
   
   

2. Select the PAL Reading Room File Cabinet you want to move. The first PAL Reading Room File Cabinet will be selected by default.

3. Click Move Up to move the PAL Reading Room File Cabinet one place up in the order, or click Move Down to move the PAL Reading Room File Cabinet one place down in the order.