Federal Information Dissemination Research Articles

The U.S. Government Printing Office's initiatives for the Federal Depository Library Program to set the stage for the 21st century

Abstract It is estimated that the majority of federal information is born digital. To that end, the U.S. Government Printing Office is transforming into a 21st century electronic information agency. As part of this effort, the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) has been investigating new options for the dissemination of Federal information that incorporate digitization, preservation, electronic metadata, and information retrieval. The FDLP's efforts to find new solutions will improve acquisitions, information access, and collection development for depository libraries. This article describes just a few of the initiatives GPO has undertaken to increase access to electronic U.S. Government information.

Federal information in the networked environment: A perspective from the coalition for networked information

The Coalition for Networked Information (CNI) has had a longstanding interest in U.S. government information and the potential that the network offers to scholars, researchers, students, and citizens. This article is based on a CNI paper whose goal is to guide institutional leaders (e.g., library directors, chief information officers, and chief academic fficers) in higher education in the development of strategies for providing access to and services for U.S. federal information using the rapidly expanding global information infrastructure. The paper is not a policy paper nor does it propose a new Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) model. Its aim is to identify issues for the higher education community and to raise questions regarding sustainable access and services in order that federal information remains a viable resource in the evolving technological environment. Institutions of higher education that have provided access to, and services for, these materials are finding that they need to rethink their policies and practices to keep pace with the changes in electronic production and dissemination of federal information. Likewise, there is a concurrent need to focus people and investments on re-engineering their service programs so as to continue making federal information widely available.

Access to and services for U.S. federal information in the networked environment

The Coalition for Networked Information (CNI) has had a long‐standing interest in U.S. government information and the potential that the network offers to scholars, researchers, students, and citizens. This article is based on a CNI white paper whose goal is to guide higher education in the development of strategies for providing access to and services for U.S. federal information using the rapidly expanding global information infrastructure. The paper suggests that institutions quickly need to adopt new practices to keep pace with the changes in electronic production and dissemination of federal information. Likewise, institutions need to focus people and investments on re‐engineering their programmess so as to continue making federal information widely available.

Federal information dissemination policies and practices: One perspective on managing the transition

The environment in which federal agencies, libraries, other information providers, and users are operating is one of rapid change. These institutions, agencies, libraries, and providers face similar pressures. It is a time to maintain current services with increasing budget pressures and shifting priorities. It is a time of transition to net-worked-based services with the concurrent delivery of, or expectation of, ongoing information services. Finally, it is a time that all stakeholders understand, indeed they are clamoring for a rethinking of government information dissemination programs, albeit from different perspectives, yet in reaction to similar or common pressures. A review of some of the pressures on the federal information dissemination system is presented in addition to descriptions of some innovative collaborative partnerships that are forming in response to the call for change in information dissemination policies and practices.

Depository libraries, the Internet, and the 21st century?

The convergence of Internet technology and federal information policy are encouraging federal information producers and users to adopt a new direct model of information dissemination of federal information from producing agency to end user. On the surface, this trend would appear to remove the traditional middlemen—the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) and depository libraries—from the dissemination model. To assess the impact of the Internet model on the future viability of the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP), the traditional GPO/depository library model of information dissemination is examined in four areas, keeping in mind the underlying intent of the FDLP to assure access to federal information in all congressional districts.

A model for a new approach to federal government information access and dissemination

The potential of electronic technologies to reduce costs, increase access, and decentralize federal information dissemination activities has sparked several legislative reorganization proposals. Congress has also called on the U.S. Government Printing Office to plan for a more electronic Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP). Realizing that developments to data were only opening salvos, the American Library Association President convened a Forum on Government Information Policy in July 1995. Representatives of several library associations developed a “Model for New Universe of Federal Information Access and Dissemination.” This article discusses the New Universe model, which includes two preliminary proposals: to reconceptualize federal information access and dissemination responsibilities and to reinvent the FDLP as a federal/ state/local library partnership program.

Electronic government information and the depository library program: Paradise found?

During the 1980s, Federal information dissemination began a transition to significant use of electronic formats. Because of legal, policy, and other constraints, these electronic products and services were not included in the depository library program, raising concerns about the availability and accessibility of Federal information for the public. Librarians and others advocated that access and availability of Federal information would be increased through inclusion of electronic products in the depository library program; surveys and reports were used to validate depository libraries' capabilities to accommodate electronic formats. Problems were encountered as the formats were introduced into the depository library program; useful experiences were gained. Inclusion of electronic products into the program has not solved all of the problems concerning access and availability of Federal information; however, dissemination of electronic formats to depository libraries has increased availability and access.

U.S. federal information dissemination system and its recent trends (<Special feature>Grey literature)

U.S. federal information dissemination system and its recent trends (<Special feature>Grey literature)

Title 44 and federal information dissemination — A technology and policy challenge for congress: A viewpoint

This viewpoint addresses the issues surrounding the impact of technological change on those chapters of Title 44 of the United States Code that provide the statutory framework for the Government Printing Office, including its document sales and depository library distribution programs. Technological advances are creating a number of problems and challenges not specifically addressed by existing statutes. Legislative action is urgently needed to resolve federal information dissemination issues and to set the direction of federal activities for the future.

A basis for increasing public access to federal electronic information

The Joint Committee on Printing requested that $800,000 be allocated in FY 1988 for 16 pilot projects involving the electronic dissemination of government information to depository libraries. That request was deferred by legislative appropriations subcommittees in both Houses of Congress pending completion of OTA’s report on electronic dissemination options. Originally expected in the fall of 1987, the report, titled Informing the Nation: Federal Information Dissemination in an Electronic Age, was finally released in October 1988. Was the wait worthwhile? Clearly, precious time and some important opportunities have been lost. However, the Federal government and the public at large should benefit significantly from the report ifit is used as a heuristic device for developing new policies in a fast-changing area of government responsibility. It is also valuable for scholars as a state-of-the-art description of new information technologies and as a case study of organizational adaptation to electronic technologies. Much has changed already in the short period since the subcommittees decided to delay “without prejudice” the provision of $800,000 for pilot projects. First, the Glenerin Declaration, signed by the United States, Canada, and Great Britain in December 1987, has established a general framework for information policy development in those countries, should its guidelines be followed. Second, a legislative-executive budget “summit agreement,” also in December 1987, has imposed some voluntary constraints upon funding for new programs. Third, the Reagan administration’s efforts to privatize the National Technical Information Service (NTIS) have probably been sidetracked permanently by legislative provisions in the trade bill and the National Bureau of Standards authorization act. Fourth, the Department of Commerce has issued its own draft proposal

Draft policy of the U.S. Department of Commerce on the dissemination of information in electronic format

On August 11, 1988, the U.S. Department of Commerce issued draft guidelines on electronic data dissemination. Although the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued Circular A-130 at the end of 1985, Commerce is the first department to issue draft guidelines under the circular. This article reprints part of the draft guidelines. These guidelines were not widely disseminated but may be revised for additional public comment once OMB issues its revision of A-130 containing inclusion of electronic files. Given possible revision of the draft policy, this article only calls attention to the guidelines and encourages readers to be aware that the Department of Commerce has been working on a policy for the dissemination of Federal information in electronic format. Readers should check on the status of draft policy and seek every opportunity to comment on the provisions.

Proposals for privatization of the national technical information service: A viewpoint

This viewpoint addresses the issues surrounding the proposed transfer of various functions of the National Technical Information Service (NTIS) to the private sector. The viewpoint is based on a review of the major Administration studies and analyses conducted on the issue of NTIS privatization as well as on an ongoing Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) study, “Technology, Public Policy, and the Changing Nature of Federal Information Dissemination.” The results of the review indicate that the proposed NTIS privatization has not as yet been demonstrated to be either cost-effective or beneficial for important governmental functions or for private marketplace opportunities.

Technology, public policy, and the changing nature of federal information dissemination: Overview of a new office of technology assessment study

Use of information technology—such as electronic document filing, computerized databases, optical disks, electronic mail, electronic remote printing, and electronic bulletin boards—could revolutionize the public information functions of the Federal government. Technology is providing many new opportunities for Federal information collection, maintenance, and dissemination, but is also raising new issues, as well as exacerbating old ones, such as equity of access to Federal public information, the private sector role in Federal electronic information activities, and institutional responsibility for Federal information collection and dissemination. Two congressional committees have asked the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) to study relevant technology and policy issues, including possible future roles for the Government Printing Office, Federal executive agencies, libraries, and private firms. The OTA study process includes in-depth research and extensive outreach, and provides several opportunities for the participation of individuals and organizations interested in these topics.

Access to information: The dream and reality

AbstractThe primary goal of the NCLIS is to help provide all people in the nation with equal opportunity of access to library and information services. The Commission's work has had significant impact on the library/information community and the users of its services. The single event that had the greatest impact throughout the country was the WHCLIS. Many of its resolutions focused on access‐related issues. The single most important technical development to affect access is the rapid expansion of information technologies. Networking, the dissemination of federal information, and the role of the private sector in providing public information are other access issues. All of these issues are currently part of the Commission's program.