Born-Digital U.S. Federal Government Information: Preservation and Access
The paper that I prepared under contract for the Center for Research Libraries is now available: Born-Digital U.S. Federal Government Information: Preservation and Access, March 2014. Prepared by James A. Jacobs for “Leviathan, the Center for Research Libraries Global Resources Collections Forum.” [link updated] This is one of several background readings recommended by CRL for […]
Best. Titles. Ever. Better with Tumblr!
A few weeks ago I (Daniel) was approached by Aimee Slater, a government documents reference assistant with the Brooklyn College Library. She and her boss really enjoyed the Best. Titles Ever. page and Flickr photo group that were populated with funny, bizarre and intriguing titles found by documents librarians around the country. Aimee asked if […]
OSTP releases new directive to improve the management of and access to scientific collections
Today, the US White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) issued a directive to federal agencies that own or support scientific collections calling for improved management and access to these collections. Here’s the directive text (PDF). Scientific collections are assemblies of physical objects that are valuable for research and education—including drilling cores from […]
ALA off target in giving Madison Award to Review Group on Intelligence and Communications Technologies
I’m in 2 minds about this year’s James Madison Award given annually by the American Library Association to “honor individuals or groups who have championed, protected and promoted public access to government information and the public’s right to know at the national level.” Last year’s award was given to computer programer and internet activist [[Aaron […]
Happy Sunshine Week! Congressional Data Coalition, open data, and public records
Happy Sunshine Week 2014! This is the week every year when open government activists and organizations, journalists, libraries, teachers and others interested in the public’s right to know promote a dialogue about the importance of open government and freedom of information and [[FOIA]]. Check out the Sunshine Week events happening all this week! As a […]