The Internet puts a wealth of information at the public's fingertips. That includes access to official government records and related information.

The good news is that many communities are taking steps to get official information online. The challenge is to expand the amount of information that is available and to get the information up in a timely fashion.

The term “public record” is one to be taken literally. Whatever is contained in a public record is what the public has an unquestionable right to view and examine.

Until the recent past that meant going to the appropriate government facility — a city or town hall, school district administrative offices, a courthouse — to view the various documents during business hours, usually in view of one or more government employees as well as other members of the public who might come to the office to transact business. Now, the Internet provides the opportunity to view these records from anywhere Internet access is available at any time of the day or night.

Many local communities are including on their websites such information as meeting agendas and minutes, budgetary information, tax maps and even information about property assessments. The variety of information varies depending on the municipality or school district. The same is true on the time it takes to get information up online. For example, the most recent Gilford Selectmen's minutes available on the town's website are for the April 9 meeting, while the last minutes of the Laconia City Council online are for the meeting of Feb. 25.

Officials should do everything feasible to get as much public information online as possible, as quickly as possible. This goal needs to take into account staffing and budgetary realities. But having said that, this is something which officials need to make a priority.

More and more, the Internet is the way in which people are getting their information. Government cannot expect that it is going to be untouched by this trend.

In making records available to the public, government officials must at the same time ensure that they are secure. Considering the legal weight that this information carries, they cannot afford to do otherwise. And it is possible that there might be personal information contained in certain public records that should not be available online, such as people's Social Security numbers.

But due diligence and common sense are not impediments to making access to the workings and business of government more efficient and more convenient.