Technology and Policy Issues With Acquiring Digital Collections
We recently mentioned a couple of articles about digitizing print materials (Mass Digitization of Books, 2006-12-23). Now there is a new article on LLRX.com that echoes some of the same issues brought up in those earlier articles.
- Technology and Policy Issues With Acquiring Digital Collections By Roger V. Skalbeck and Iva M. Futrell, LLRX.com, February 12, 2007.
Skalbeck and Futrell outline some key issues:
- How will people access a new service?
- Is a link to the digital collection’s website sufficient?
- How can people find out about a new service?
- How should a law firm assess overall costs?
- What is protected by copyright?
- What does the access contract cover?
- When and how can you charge clients?
- Should a client pay more for a poorly-designed system?
- Access v. Ownership Continue reading
State of the Broadband Nation
A 2005 report by the FCC on broadband network access is back in the news this week.
- Federal Communications Commission Releases Data On High-Speed Services For Internet Access, FCC, July 7, 2005
An opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal quotes it ( Broadband Breakout [subscription required], also available from ProQuest [subscription required] Wall Street Journal (Eastern edition) New York, N.Y.: Feb 16, 2007. pg. A.14). It uses the (evidently inflated -- see article below) figures in the report as a reason for opposing network neutrality and regulation.
An article in Information Week examines it critically (When It Comes To Broadband, U.S. Plays Follow The Leader By Richard Hoffman, InformationWeek, Feb. 15, 2007). Hoffman is thorough and objective and his piece could be called a "State of the Broadband Nation." Hoffman describes the state of broadband access in the U.S., compares it to other nations, and puts current debates of telecommunications regulation in this context. I recommend it as essential reading for anyone interested in access to networked government information.
Continue readingFOIA hearings held this week
Jim A. Jacobs linked to some items about this week's FOIA hearings. The Guardian has published a summary of the testimony by AP. It also includes a link to GAO's report, "Freedom of Information Act: Processing Trends Show Importance of Improvement Plans," [PDF] which was released yesterday. The abstract notes that the FOIA request backlog is increasing at many agencies. However, it also says that it is difficult to properly gage trends in reporting because the time lags are reported in median times, not average times. The Executive Order referenced in the report, "Improving Agency Disclosure of Information," was signed by President Bush on December 14, 2006. It outlined a plan to improve the FOIA process, including improved customer service for requesters and increased access to government information on federal websites. Continue reading
FOIA Hearings
On Tuesday, February 13, Congress held hearings on the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The hearings, held by the Information Policy, Census, and National Archives Subcommittee of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee have not received much press, but should have. Here are some links to tide you over till the transcripts are available:
- FOIA is essential but also needs change By Clark Hoyt, Sacramento Bee, February 15, 2007. (text of testimony former Knight Ridder Washington editor Clark Hoyt)
- "Freedom Of Information Fans Urge Changes To Law" by Andrew Noyes, National Journal's Technology Daily February 14, 2007 PM edition [subscription required]
- House Subcommittee Asks Archive for FOIA Reform Advice, National Security Archive Update, February 14, 2007
FGI: The Toolbar! Get it for yourself and tell your friends
Another day, another demonstration project! This time Free Government Information is pleased to announce a browser toolbar we hope will increase awareness and usage of government information. You can get our toolbar at fgi.ourtoolbar.com. With this conduit.com powered toolbar you get the following features:
- Easy access to federal government publication web sites.
- Quick access to reports from the Congressional Research Service and Government Accountability Office.
- Four ways to ask government information questions online.
- Links to easy-to-understand information guides written up by documents librarians from around the country.
- A 50-state directory of Federal Depository Libraries
- Links to major Freedom of Information Act pages and written guidance on filing FOIA requests
- Easy access to all sections of the Free Government Information web site