Ode to Govdoc-L
I was cleaning my condo today and ran across a "government documents jounral" that I turned in as an assignment in grad school back in 1995. Part of what I did for this assignment was to subscribe to Govdoc-l, the documents librarians' electronic mailing list. I had to report my impressions. The three things I cited 13 years ago were:
- Govdoc-L is practical.
- Govdoc'rs are helpful
- Govdoc-l is informative
Kudos for Qatar
Another note from abroad reminding us that the importance of accessing government information is recognized worldwide: Title: Promise of technology is for everybody (By HESSA AL JABER) Source: The Peninsula On-line: Qatar's leading English daily, 5/17/2008 http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/commentary/commentaryother.asp?file=maycommentary482008.xml In article otherwise on technology for the disabled, the head of Qatar's Information and Communications Technology had this to say about government information:
Because people with disabilities cannot participate in government processes or benefit from government services if they don’t know what government offers, ictQATAR looks forward to setting a timeframe in which all public government information is universally accessible. This will include information that the government provides through radio and television programming, kiosks, and websites. And I call upon other government entities to begin incorporating into their websites accessibility functions such as media players, specially designed web browsers, and other assistive technologies. In the near future, ictQATAR will work to establish a Fund to offset the costs of both individual and organisational adoption of ICT to benefit the disabled. Although the details have yet to be fully developed, we expect that disabled individuals will apply for grants or vouchers to help pay for technologies and/or services that will enable them to benefit from the same opportunities as everybody else. Similarly, government organisations, corporations, and other organisations will be entitled to grants to encourage the universal provision of services and employment of disabled individuals.To the extent the government's goals are in line with the desires of Qatar's people, we wish them well in their efforts to place government information online. For more information about Qatar, please see the US State Department's Background Notes for Qatar, last published in July 2007. Continue reading
Please Participate in Virtual Library Legislative Day Today or Tomorrow
The American Library Association Government Documents Roundtable (ALA GODORT) wants YOU to participate in this year's virtual National Library Legislative day. Here are details from GODORT chair Bill Sleeman:
May 13th and 14th is National Library Legislative day and GODORT is participating as an organization. This is a first for us and is the first time that an ALA unit has attempted to coordinate all of its members to participate. It is made easier this year by ALA's effort to offer a virtual participation option. We need your participation, libraries need you. To take part will only require a bit of your time - GODORT has done much of the initial work for you. The Government Documents Round Table's Legislation Committee has created four handouts that address legislative issues of concern to our community. These include: 1. S. 2321: E-Government Reauthorization Act of 2007 2. H.R. 1255; S. 886: Presidential Records Act Amendments of 2007 3. Senate Resolution 401: A resolution to provide Internet access to certain Congressional Research Service publications 4. Government Printing Office 2009 Budget Request 5. National Agriculture Library funding We are asking you to please visit the GODORT Legislation committee Wiki at http://wikis.ala.org/godort/index.php/Virtual_Library_Legislative_Day_Activities download the talking points and background materials, and to please on either Tuesday, May 13th or on Wednesday, May 14th contact your legislators and let them know how these services will affect your ability to serve their constituents. The future of America is @ your library. We must ensure that in the future the American public has access to government information in libraries by assuring sustained funding and support. Millions of people pass through the library each year, but without adequate support, these resources may not be there when you need them. Everyone loves libraries. But libraries cannot live on love alone.Please participate if you can. Continue reading
Classifying the Unclassified – Blanket Secrecy License?
On May 9, this past Friday, the White House issued a memorandum doing away with the old category of "Sensitive But Unclassified" and replacing it with "Controlled Unclassified Information." The memo is titled, "Memorandum For The Heads Of Executive Departments And Agencies - SUBJECT: Designation and Sharing of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)". Here is how the memo defines CUI (bolding mine):
a. "Controlled Unclassified Information" is a categorical designation that refers to unclassified information that does not meet the standards for National Security Classification under Executive Order 12958, as amended, but is (i) pertinent to the national interests of the United States or to the important interests of entities outside the Federal Government, and (ii) under law or policy requires protection from unauthorized disclosure, special handling safeguards, or prescribed limits on exchange or dissemination. Henceforth, the designation CUI replaces "Sensitive But Unclassified" (SBU).This is such a broad brush that it could be used to exempt anything from public disclosure. By definition, isn't anything the government produces at least somewhat pertinent to the national interests of the United States? Otherwise, why waste taxpayer dollars and government time creating the product? Then there's the allowance for "policy." I'm sure that DoD's 2002 domestic propaganda program probably "required protection" from "unauthorized disclosure" for "policy" reasons. This is a definition that appears to be designed to give the executive branch total control over what information is released by the US Government regardless of existing law. It is an order that should be challenged by Congress today with no funding permitted for its implementation. Assuming the President doesn't back down, it should be one of the first items revoked by the incoming President. Government information items should be properly classified and protected, safeguarded when containing individuals personal data, or public record. No twilight zone of "It's unclassified, by I can't give it to you for reasons of government policy." Continue reading
As Easy as FDL? What do you think?
The Government Printing Office has produced a draft marketing plan for the Federal Depository Library Program. The 22 page plan and a survey link can be found at http://www.fdlp.gov/promotion/marketingplan.html. Depositories have been asking for marketing/promotion assistance for awhile and this plan seems to be in response to these requests. It's also quite good that it is a draft plan and that input is being solicited before being rolled out. It suggests a willingness to collaborate that is appreciated. It is our hope at FGI that GPO will get a good response rate to their call for comments because this will become a major way of marketing for the community. Better that stakeholders have input and suggestions BEFOREHAND instead of complaining about it afterwards. The proposed slogan for the marketing campaign has stuck in my head every since I read it off the executive summary of the plan -- "As Easy as FDL - Free (information), Dedicated (service), Limitless (possibilities)" As slogans go I think that this is an excellent encapsulation of everyone's vision for the FDLP. I think it might even serve as a rough approximation for what the program is now. Whether this slogan will strengthen an improving reality or degenerate into mere lip service depends greatly on how the electronic era will be implemented. If it becomes a centralized model with digital rights restrictions that means that info is only free within depository walls, then it won't be as easy as FDL. But if librarians successfully adapt the century old model of decentralized, freely reusable information to the electronic era, it will be as easy as FDL. Continue reading
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