From lpsmail@access.digex.netThu Nov 9 15:48:24 1995 Date: Thu, 9 Nov 1995 11:11:23 CST From: Shipment Reply to: Discussion of Government Document Issues To: Multiple recipients of list GOVDOC-L Subject: ADNOTES: COUNCIL: REMARKS BY JAY YOUNG ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- THE MESSAGE BELOW IS FROM ADMINISTRATIVE NOTES, VOL. 16, #15 (Nov. 15, 1995). ELECTRONIC TRANSITION IN THE DEPOSITORY LIBRARY PROGRAM Remarks by J.D. Young Director, Library Programs Service at the Fall 1995 Depository Library Council Meeting Good morning and welcome to the new Council members. My remarks will be short and I will then turn it over to others to update you. First, I will give a few highlights from the early results of the Biennial Survey. Biennial Survey: Early Returns The 1995 Biennial Survey of Depository Libraries was distributed to all depositories by first class mail during the week of September 18. Data is being compiled using Teleform fax software. Many of the questions are intended to update the 1994 Electronic Capabilities Survey. * To date, only 332 [23.9%] of 1,386 depositories have responded. The due date is November 1st. * The survey shows that more libraries are keeping in touch electronically. In 1994, 63.3% monitored the GOVDOC-L listserv. In 1995, 74.6% do. * Concerning the Internet, 302 of the 332 responding libraries have Internet for staff use; 223 have the World Wide Web. Only two libraries say they have no plans to acquire Internet. * We are concerned, if the pattern of the early returns holds, however, about Internet tools available at work stations for the public. 22.8% currently do not have Internet access for the public and 15.6% say they have no plans for such access. * 44.5% report being registered for GPO Access; 18.6% use another institution's gateway; 30% say they will register within the next 2 years, but 10.2% have no plans to provide GPO Access. * 48.7% have not yet registered for the GPO Federal Bulletin Board. * Over 90% have CD-ROM capability now, though 65 libraries say they do not use the CD-ROMs at all, but on the other hand, 59 say they use them more than 1.5 hours daily. And the $64,000 question: * If electronic media and online services replace most paper and microfiche in the next 2 years, 8.7% say they would not retain depository status. Sheila McGarr has asked me to remind you that the due date of November 1 is fast approaching. Please don't wait until the last minute so you can avoid constant busy signals. Congressional study This is by far the most challenging and most interesting period in Federal information that I have seen in my 25 years as both a player and an observer. The reason for this is obviously the use of electronic information. It is clear that change is occurring throughout the Government and crystal clear that our program must change to remain viable. Fortunately, I believe that we have the opportunity not to just be a player but to lead. The Congressionally directed study which is titled "to identify measures that are necessary to ensure a successful transition to a more electronically based program" is the centerpiece for a negotiation involving access to Federal information the likes of which I have not seen before. It is important to keep in mind, however, that the title of this study is just one of seven bullets in the charter laid out in the Senate Report [see Administrative Notes, v. 16, #13, 10/15/95]. There are copies of that and other pertinent reports in your folder. The final language states "The study shall include a strategic plan that will assist Congress in redefining a new and strengthened Federal information dissemination policy and program." And that is what the negotiation is about. The study was initiated by Republican staff members, and around one table we now have House and Senate Republican and Democratic staff from all the committees involved with information and Government, representatives from OMB and other Executive Branch agencies, representatives from Legislative Branch agencies, and representatives from the Judicial Branch. In my opinion, this is truly significant. I'm afraid I can't tell you what and how beneficial the results will be, but I can say that the opportunity to affect change is certainly at hand since our Program is the centerpiece and the Superintendent of Documents is the Study Chair. Earlier, I used the term "access to Federal information." I believe it is very important that we begin to think now in terms of new terminology. In this regard, I see the terminology for the two key elements of our program being (1) information products and services, and (2) access. "Information products and services" encompasses the terms publications and documents and includes electronic files, databases, etc., as well as the physical electronic products such as CD-ROMs and diskettes. "Access" represents the customer or user and encompasses the terms distribution and dissemination and includes the availability of on-line or near-line electronic information. We are using the term near-line to mean CD-ROMs or optical disks which would be housed at a remote site in a juke box and picked from the juke box to be searched. We have titled a new draft policy statement, that is here for review, "Electronic Information Access and Dissemination in the Federal Depository Library Program" [to be published in a future issue of Administrative Notes]. In that title, the term dissemination refers to CD-ROMs or diskettes that would be physically sent to and used in libraries. However, this would change if the CD-ROM was mounted at a remote site for near-line access rather than being sent to you. "Access," however, in my opinion, must mean one other thing. It must mean "usefulness." Our program is to make Federal information not only available, but useful, to the general public who paid for its creation. In this regard, this Depository Library Council and the library associations are the link with the ultimate user. You are in the best position to represent that user. I realize this is one heck of a challenge, but as you hear much more about this Congressional study from Judy tomorrow, you will realize what we are all being faced with. To help us respond to our challenge, I have established an Electronic Transition Staff within LPS. The next three speakers will be members of that staff. The first will be Ric Davis, the head of the staff, who is a new kid on the block. Ric will tell you about himself and the task he is taking on. He will introduce Maggie Parhamovich and Raeann Dossett who are certainly not new to you. Following them, Robin Haun-Mohamed will update you on some of the operational things going on in LPS, and Judy Russell will talk about her area.