Federal mandates requiring that publicly funded research be made openly accessible recast scholarly information as public information and provide an impetus to join the efforts of scholarly communication and government information programs in United States research libraries. Most major research libraries are long-standing participants in the…

Answers questions regarding the impact of the Freedom of Information Act on libraries. Highlights include the definition of a public body as used in the act, which public records are covered, circulation record, how to submit requests for records, and who is responsible for complying with requests for records. (LRW)

This column, part of a series of commonly asked questions on library law, completes discussion of two previous columns on common questions about the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Highlights include: procedures if a request for records is denied; appealing a denial of records; how FOIA is enforced and interpreted by the courts; personal…

Discusses the final report of the American Library Association's Commission on Freedom and Equality of Access to Information, which addresses such issues as telecommunications, access to electronic and government information, preservation, illiteracy, censorship, copyright, libel, postal rates, and the future role of libraries in providing access…

Discusses problems and ethical issues associated with access to special collections in the humanities. Topics include access to the Dead Sea Scrolls; scholastic monopolies and access barriers; access restrictions and destroyed documents; privacy rights and professional codes of confidentiality; fair use of unpublished manuscripts; and the Freedom…

Provides an overview of U.S. federal information policy and its treatment of electronic information resources. Highlights include government publications; electronic government information; main providers of government information, including the Government Printing Office; the Freedom of Information Act; public access and use; information…