#2 Ask for the records electronically so they can avoid costs for copying.

#3. Keep the request subject specific.

#4. Keep the request time specific, knowing that it is possible to ask for more information at a later time.

#5. Don't be afraid, these records belong to the taxpayers, not the bureaucrats who are simply the custodians of the records (In other words, it is the job of the custodian to keep the records neat and clean.)

#6. Follow-up. Once you get the records that you have requested, they will usually generate more questions so it is important to do a follow-up reqests for more information. The TV detective Lt. Columbo was famous for always saying "Just one more thing." That is what you will have to do when looking into government records. Keep asking for more records until you get what you are looking for.