Before I move on to highlight any of the spiffy online resources of today, I’d like to take a brief trip down memory lane. Come with me now as we travel back through the dim recesses of time to those simple days before e-mail and the Internet...1987. In 1987 I began work in the Documents Department at St. Louis Public Library’s main branch. I was the State Documents Specialist, but I also worked with the federal documents. For those who may not have personal recollections of how the FDLP worked in those days, here’s what I recall: * We had two very important sets of cards—our shelflist, and our item selection cards. When we processed a shipment of documents we checked in serials on a serials check-in card and typed a new card to represent each new monograph. There was much pulling and re-filing of shelflist cards to be done each day. The item selection cards were divided into two sections—items selected, and items not selected. Those cards got updated each time an item number was created or discontinued, and when we changed our selections in the annual selection update. * At the beginning of the selection update we’d get a printout from GPO that listed all the active item numbers. Things we selected were marked with a “Y” and those we didn’t select were marked with an “N.” We went through the list and highlighted the Ys. We then went through a copy of the List of Classes and highlighted our selections there. That allowed us to do our “zero-based” analysis and decide which items to add or drop. It seemed to take forever each time we went through the process. * The Administrative Notes newsletter was our only way to get news from GPO. We devoured each new issue when it came in. Before the creation of the Administrative Notes Technical Supplement, we received pink “corrections” sheets in our shipment boxes that listed call number errors and so on. * We lived in fear of the periodic onsite inspections that GPO would do. God forbid they should find a paper clip in your stacks or a rubber band in your microfiche. * Microfiche was the most cutting-edge format in our collection. By the time I left St. Louis in 1991, we’d experimented with the Electronic Bulletin Board (where you could get CPI statistics on the same day they were released!), had mastered the art of loading CD-ROMs along with their floppies of accompanying software, and had heard that there was something out there called GOVDOC-L that was proving to be a very useful tool. Since then I’ve seen the birth and death of technological tools like Vax terminals, DOS commands, CD-ROM caddies, Gopher, Archie, Veronica, Mosaic, etc., etc. It seems I may within my lifetime see the end of documents on paper. It’s been a long strange trip thus far, and I think we’re cresting a hill and preparing to pick up even more speed. From here on out I advise that we hang on for dear life and try to enjoy the ride. Continue reading →

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Immigration and Federal Depository Libraries

Alfonso Aguilar, Chief, Office of Citizenship, Homeland Security

Focusing on the specialized information and services provided to immigrants by the Office of Citizenship, the presenter will also discuss the President’s Task Force on New Americans, whose goal is to coordinate Federal resources to promote the integration of legal immigrants. Under the auspices of the Task Force, the Office of Citizenship plans to offer a Citizenship and Civics toolkit for immigrants to libraries nationwide, including the Federal Depository Libraries.

Explain the debate on immigration of the day. Numbers

Why is this important now?

• U.S. is facing record levels of legal migration

1. 1 in 9 U.S. residents are foreign-born
2. 3.84 million new LPRs from 2002 to 2005
3. 2.18 million new citizens naturalized, from 2002-2005

• Over 80 percent of immigrants from outside of Europe

1. Top 5 birth countries of new American citizens, 2005: Mexico, Philippines, India, Vietnam, China, Africa, Asia, South America

Immigrants increasingly settle in “New Gateways”, i.e. North Carolina, Nevada, Georgia. In the 90s, New York, Houston, LA. Some states haven’t seen a wave of immigration. So that is a great challenge. Proportionately, it isn’t as large as the 20^th century, but still very impressive. Challenge of undocumented immigrants. 9/11 also created a problem, how can we be an open welcoming nation with 9/11. The immigration situation is broken and needs to be fixed. We need security and border control, but we also need a guest worker program. Our native born work force is shrinking.

Bush asks how are we to assimilate immigrants into our country. If we have an open legal immigration policy, what are we doing to help them become part of the American community. Bush is the first President to talk about immigration as part of his policy and legacy.

Our national identity is based on ideals rather than religious or ethnic issues. We need a common set of values so we can preserve our common national identity.

Most people believe that immigration assimilation and integration patterns aren’t handled, we will have social issues to deal with in 20 years or so.

1924 to 1965 we didn’t have immigrants within the American culture because there was a moratorium. Since 1965 we have had a comprehensive immigration reform program, with legal immigration. We need to strengthen out program. We will have a nation of minorities in a few decades. But it is also a challenge. If your nation is composed of diverse peoples, having different cultures, it becomes a real challenge to bring them in to the culture. Look at France from this past summer. And the U.K. where some of the terrorists felt they were not part of that community or the murder of Nederland’s photographer who produced a movie on Islam.

You cannot have political and social cohesion if people don’t share values in a country. Perhaps (in France) the multinational plan doesn’t work. In U.S. we have built our nation on civic ideals. But we may have similar problems like Europe is having now.

Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson were champions of this idea. Even libraries were part of the assimilation movement in the 20^th century. We want to make sure they do assimilate. You can respect your heritage but still be part of the American culture.

Introduction

The office was created by the Homeland Security Act of 2002, the Office of Citizenship. Mandate to help immigrants to use the resources to help them assimilate.

• Promotes instruction and training on citizenship rights and responsibilities, and
• provides immigrants with information and tools necessary to successfully integrate into American civic culture

Products and Publications

Promoting Civic Literacy in the Community

Through the development of educational materials for permanent residents to sue as study tools and educators to use in the classroom, the Office of Citizenship is assisting the immigrant community learn more about American History and Government.

The community we are targeting are the permanent residents, those who are making America their home. How to settle in the U.S., learn English, etc. the guides are in 10 different languages because they are just beginning the process of assimilation.

We are developing a citizenship questions and answers to pass the citizenship test. In 2008 we are developing a standard class on citizenship and our national identity. This is just a beginning in terms of the work. The President signed the:

Task Force on New Americans is looking at different initiatives.

• Established by Executive Order. Essential component of the President’s comprehensive immigration reform proposal.
• Develop educational initiatives to help legal immigrants embrace the common core of American civic culture, learn English, and fully become American
• Prevent marginalization of the foreign-born – which can lead to social problems, radicalization – via successful integration

New Americans Library Initiative

• Description: Expand access to citizenship and civics materials and educational programming at public libraries
• Approach:

1. Distribute a toolkit with citizenship and civic publications to libraries nationwide, they also have English/ Spanish software and English classes
2. Partner with GPO, Institute of Museum and Library Services (MLS), and state libraries
3. Use libraries as venues to deliver Civic Orientation sessions developed with National Constitution Center. The federal assistants are willing to go to libraries to promote assimilation to immigrants. Many college libraries have developed programs with the community in mind to help them assimilate.
4. Develop educational products with other federal agencies

POC: Carlos Muñoz, 202-272-1304, Carlos.munoz@dhs.gov

This is the basic concept we have developed and want to share with you. It would be interesting to partner with the depository libraries. Issue of funding. As we develop this effort, we will hold round tables and see how we can leverage funding for the program. Grants to libraries and the private sector. In general that is what I have to share with you. This will garner more attention in the next year. I truly believe libraries can play a pivotal role. Materials and resources and build capabilities to deal with these communities and provide funding for these programs.

Thank you. (applause)

Q. Have you done market surveys to find out how these customers have received this information in the past.

A. Little research on this topic. Immigrants using libraries, there is very little information. Did set up a focus group with groups that had integration programs. Uscis.gov has the report. When they heard from libraries and churches there is lack of information. Those libraries who reach out to immigrants, their libraries are used. Some libraries don’t have the resources so there are challenges. In some of the district offices there is online assistance, to get their appointments. But libraries didn’t have the services necessary to help them. The toolkit is on their web site for the immigrant to use. He feels they need to develop an initiative and then do the research. Something needs to be done now, because immigrants are in our community now. Start a program and then do the research to see if it is working. This needs to be done now. Feedback they have gotten is extremely valuable.

Q. Never heard of his office. Federal funding agency. Every state manages those funds and some funds actually make their way to those programs. ALA has already done a lot of research on these communities so he needs access to those reports. The public libraries do work to help the immigrant and serve this population. What would be useful would be information for library staff to bridge the gap between American library culture and their own. Example, many cultures don’t understand the idea of checking out a book and then bringing it back.

A. This is a comprehensive approach, that is part of a larger effort. To encourage Americans with in the program to teach English to foreigners. Also there is a problem because they can’t take English classes because they work two jobs. Churches also help immigrants to assimilate. We need volunteers to help move the program forward. Something we have to look at. Separate from other funding streams. Private sector for funds. Libraries are another resource to go to get their information.

ALA one of the first places was ALA. Initially, one of the problems was a suspicion because we are part of the homeland security department.

Q. Most of the immigrants can’t use the computer to make appointments so they want the librarian to fill out the forms for them. The lottery program came out this month but it isn’t in Spanish, only in English and it is an online form. They need a picture to be uploaded with the application. There isn’t enough staff to handle all these questions.

A. This is mainly about providing material but not specifically about filling out forms. Each district office has its own way of handling problems. Obviously, this isn’t the best way to handle things.

Q. Sometimes the immigrant doesn’t know what a web address is.

A. We are aware of this. Absolutely, but this is not something that can be addressed from our office. but we will take it into account. We don’t want to recommend they go somewhere where they can’t get the information they need. We are also looking at non-mandating online filing.

Q. I am not a librarian but I am a technologist. Librarians feel they are taking the overflow from the offices. Wouldn’t it be appropriate to develop a program with libraries in their own languages? It’s going to take some work. Libraries are places to exchange information.

A. We are already working with some libraries who are targeting orientation sessions with the Office of Citizenship.

Libraries are going to have funding issues to provide services to community members and immigrants. It is a very complex issue and it isn’t going to change. We need to address those needs. Are we going to have adequate funding? Probably not. We need to have more funding for libraries.

Q. Recommend he write a letter of what is needed to address and help the immigrant populations.

A. He doesn’t want to make this another unfunded mandate, he wants to make this a partnership. He wants to start little by little with those libraries who can help fund this on their own first. Then look at grant monies.

Q. Ami Quinn. There is a big disconnect with immigrants and librarians in filling out forms. The Univ. ILL has been working to help with this already. There needs to be a national strategy on how to work with this. That includes the libraries and churches. There needs to be a meeting at least once a year to update the changes with the immigration law.

A. The government is working on this initiative. They are interested in helping immigrants come together to get the information they need. Congressmen have been holding classes in their offices in English. Chicago area to provide adequate information. We need to think smart to work with different groups to get the message out. We have immigration meetings.

Q. Seattle pub lib what about podcasting? It might be a way to spread out the information. If we do that as a .government, she can certainly work with people to see that immigrants can have access to computers at her library.

A. They are working on it. Government site in language, that has web casting. Interesting idea. In California they have a great program but only a small portion use the libraries. We need to look creatively.

Q. Massachusetts. We have an Immigrant Services Librarian. Users want them to do things and public libraries want to help but they don’t have the funds to do everything, They just had to cut back on the English classes. Work with ALA and help librarians find what is available. What might be a better use of funds would be orientation for librarians.

A. What I am hearing here today, task force will be working with the library community to hear your ideas. Certainly don’t want to impose an unfunded mandate. But he truly believes that you need to start building on something to get the attention of the policy makers.

Q. To the task force members list available on the web site?

A. There are about 10 cabinet level agencies.

Q. Closed libraries in the west. We need advice and how to reach the members of our communities to help them. We need help with marketing ourselves.

A. We have a very nice flash presentation. We could train the trainer. With immigrants, you wouldn’t have the knowledge to answer some of their questions and you shouldn’t answer them.

Q. Hispanic in Arizona, there is a huge mistrust of government sites, so they don’t go there. They won’t come even if we have the marketing available. These sessions can’t be labeled immigration in any way.

A. The old IMS has been disbanded. We have information for documented immigrants, not undocumented. This initiative is targeting those who are in the country legally. They shouldn’t have a problem using a government web site. Until we have a comprehensive immigration reform, we will have problems with this area. Many of the customers in your library will be in the target population.

He avoids answering some questions because of the problems. Immigration law is more complex than tax law. He is a lawyer.

Make sure you refer people to accredited immigration lawyers. You can provide basic orientation, but don’t answer immigration questions. And make sure they are referred to the correct people.

If your library decides to provide a citizenship program, they will have materials on their web site to help them.

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Managing Tangible Collections in an Electronic Environment

Oct 24, 1:30 pm

Copies of the slides. Considerable discussion of the tangible collections.

Two parts Suzanne [Talks too fast.] will talk about the tools and Cindy will talk about the others.

Future of Tangible Publications

• Distribution of tangible publications remains an important part of the FDLP.
• Depositories may wish to retain and provide access to a tangible collection.
• Need to include tangible publications in collection development and management plans.

Tools

• Basic Collection- differences between the basic, core, and essential. Basic is economic.

1. Federal publications that should be accessible in all depository collections.
2. Examples: Economic Indicators, CFR, Statutes at Large.
3. Must provide access to these titles
4. Determine if electronic or tangible access is best for your users

• Core Collection – adjusted list of titles. Based on your type of library. List is a few years old. Will be updated.

1. Developed by depository librarians
2. Depositories are not required to select but can be a useful tool for collection development
3. Being revised with development of new Handbook

• Essential Titles – Not required for selection.

1. Developed by GPO that contains important references. If in paper, from agency.
2. contain critical information about the activities of the U.S. Government or are important reference publications for libraries and the public
3. Developed using input provided by the depository library community
4. Will remain available in print for depositories as long as agency contuse to public in print format or if available through Sales Program in print format
5. Depositories are not required to select

• Superseded list – aid to identify obsolete material or dated before end of normal 5 year period.

1. Superseded material can be discarded without regional approval. List created in 2002.
2. Serve as guideline for type of material that can be superseded; not all titles that supersede are listed.
3. Not required to discard superseded material
4. Consider the needs of users and collection development policies
5. If retain superseded material, mark it as such. I.E. “Superseded” or “not current”
6. Apply guidelines when superseding titles not on list.

• Substitution list – works in a similar fashion to the superseded list.

1. Permits depositories to replace tangible versions with electronic equivalents
2. Electronic version must be complete official, and permanently accessible.
3. Material less than 5 years old may be substituted with regional approval.
4. Not comprehensive. List is just examples.
5. When substituting a title not on the list, follow the guidelines.
6. Consider user needs, usage patterns, research reuirements, and collection development policy when substituting an electronic version for the tangible. Make sure it is official and permanently accessible.

• CGP – Catalog of U.S. Government Publications generated since 1976 working on a retrospective collection back to the 1800s.

1. More than 500,000 records generated since July 1976
2. Online counterpart of the Monthly Catalog of United States Government Publications
3. Will eventually include records for publications dating back to the late 1800s
4. E-mail up to 20 catalog records at a time to yourself

• Needs and Offers – GPO has been maintaining on their web site.

1. Facilitates collection development
2. Offer gifts and weeded publications to other depositories
3. Locate copies of needed titles
4. Offers must follow regional disposal procedures and weeded publications. Offers to the regions first.

• WebTech notes – changes to publications. but in a searchable database format.

1. SuDoc class corrections
2. Changes to item numbers
3. Format changes
4. Title changes
5. Discontinued titles
6. New titles are also listed

• Documents Data Minor 2 – no discussion would be complete without data minor tools. You can filter your list to your selection tools. shelf list also. Also export files for local use. ddm2 talk with Nan. She is the expert. Her session will be tomorrow morning.
1. List of classes
2. Item selection profiles
3. FDL Directory
4. Shipping lists
5. MARC records
6. Superseded List
7. Able to export files from DDM2 for local use
8. Contains official data from GPO
9. Developed and Maintained by Wichita State University

Collection Development on the Desktop – these can all be found on the desktop.

• CGP: http//catalog/gpo.gov/
• Needs & Offers: http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/tools/needs_of/index.html
• WebTech Notes: http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/tools/webtech.html
• Documents Data Miner 2: http://govdoc.wichita.edu/ddm2/gdocframes.asp
• Collection Development on the FDLP Desktop http://www.access.gpo.gov/su-docs/fdlp/coll-dev/index.html

Collection Development Policies

• Why a written collection policy is needed
• Elements of a collection development policy
• Regional and collection development policies

Policy should:

define the users

provide guidance for selecting and deselecting

assist with planning – if you have a good plan and there is a budget question, i.e. binding and commercial support, then you can say it is justified because it is in the plan. Maybe this is something the reference area doesn’t have. Cooperative storage areas is another planning tool.

helps with public relations

defines cooperative efforts

outlines service parameters - Sort of has a service parameters.

When you get into these items you think you all have them. Don’t put in secondary users on your web document because it isn’t a good marketing tool that someone is secondary. Are there areas you want to collect comprehensively or as an historical collection?

Policy Elements

Introductory section

• Mission – why are you there who are you serving and how are you going to do it. faculty staff and students, third congressional district. remote or onsite services? teaching research services?
• Generalizations – not collecting in this area.
• Primary and secondary clientele
• Programs supported by the collection – are you part of a developing area? Heath education center? other information?
• Community Profile – geographic area you serve. Look at the population: Age, diversity, income, education This will help you get to know your users; District characteristics business and industry, other libraries primary occupations, wired?

Policy elements

• Who selects? Do you share this with others?
• Offer suggestions. subject profiles. intensity of collection and formats. i.e. no cds anymore. I’m leaning toward electronic in this area. making online in this area… physical location – selective housing sites. separate unit.
• Selected housing sites. Signed memorandum of agreement (MOA) When receiving library is under the purview of a different director from the designated depository’s
• Sample in the Instructions (Exhibit H) – this can be edited.
• Termination Clause. Needs to be there. Often things don’t last forever. If the material can be accessed online maybe they don’t need the paper. Maybe you need use stats on other materials. Maybe they don’t need it but you do.

• Access
1. Catalog, indexes? What kind of online subscription services. You need to be aware what is in the subscription services. i.e. Ebscohost.
2. How you are going to provide service in the electronic environment

• Maintenance of the collection:

1. Weeding, superseding, binding, replacing.
2. How long term you have the collection.

• Anything of local concern?

1. historical, or multiple copies, non-depository pubs, collection evaluation methods? policy review?
2. Evaluate your collection. You don’t need to do this every year, but you need to reevaluate on a regular basis.
3. What do the changes in curriculum do to the collection needs?

Collection Development Policy for Regionals?

Same list for depository libraries but it must be available for regional libraries also.

Regionals now have choices on what they collect. There is some flexibility.

Policy is part of a larger whole

• Don’t have to have separate policy for depository collection if the policy is part of the library’s policy:
• Recognition of depository and obligation to serve the public need community profile. Statement of which collections the policy covers or mention any exclusions.

Collection Development Policy for Core Collection

• The policy that describes why the collection is maintained
• Who it serves
• Definition of a core title
• Criteria for selecting a title

Questions:

Collection policy doesn’t have to be exclusionary, only for federal. it can include state and local materials.

Old and valuable – should these be included in the collection dev policy?

Preservation of older materials housed in a separate location. Housed as part of a preservation collection.

Physically handling the collection. Start to do some weeding. If I don’t have most current, use wooden blocks and list or file folders to show. Create stamp that says newer version online.

Only the things in title 44 are set in stone. When you start looking at collection intensity levels.

GODORT Handout Exchange has sample policies. Also off the ALA GODORT page. There is also a supplement to the collection development program. Different types of policies some are general and others are more of a working policy for staff.

The new item selection profiling. What they are doing is gathering data on item selection profiling. going to new platform. They haven’t moved forward yet on the distribution and electronic selection will come later. Depository distribution system. One requirement is that the selection system will need to talk with the ILS.

How will it work? Tangible items a one to one item. Not creating new multiple items with one SuDoc number.

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