Public libraries do not always meet community information needs because librarians are trained to answer questions through books when often the best information in an area is from alternative sources. The government provides free information on investments, jobs, health, and legal problems; experts and clearinghouses are other good information…

Argues that the public's right of access to government publications is increasingly difficult to manage in light of changing technologies and budget constraints, and suggests principles and policies to preserve the traditional right of access. (28 references) (LAE)

Describes a study commissioned by the Office of Technology Assessment that was conducted to identify innovative information technology applications, management practices, and policies to help integrate the electronic delivery of federal government services. Highlights include the information infrastructure, existing federal information policy,…

It is not legally permissible for depository libraries to impose user fees upon library patrons who want government information which is available in electronic format. Publishing federal agency is responsible for costs of furnishing access to the database, and Government Printing Office is obligated to pay the costs of conveying that information…

Includes 248 citations to articles, books, reports, government publications, and chapters in collected works covering government information policy, government publications, and information resources in United States, foreign countries, and international and intergovernmental units; government archives; U.S. state/local publications and…

Reports the results of a survey of Arizona libraries that gathered information on the collection development policies for state and local government publications. Problems that result from not having a depository system for state publications are discussed, cataloging and classification practices are examined, and use of bibliographic utilities…

Includes annotations for 23 local government publications that reflect the main issues confronting local communities, including AIDS, children at risk, homelessness, human rights, and environmental decline. The shift of local problem solving from the federal and state government levels to the local level is briefly discussed. (LRW)

Focuses on four issues related to providing government numeric databases in libraries: hardware, access software, staff skills, and organizing services. Basic, intermediate, and advanced levels of service and a guide for selecting an appropriate level are presented. Examples of screens from actual searches are included. (Contains eight…

Discusses the explosion of government information in the electronic age, how to guarantee and enhance public access, and how to standardize and seamlessly link information services for better use. Pilot projects to develop governmentwide locator systems or services are described as possible solutions. (Contains six references.) (EAM)

Describes study that investigated whether assigning Library of Congress classification numbers to government documents, instead of the Superintendent of Documents classification numbers, would result in a wide scattering of the materials. Implications for the shelf arrangement of government documents are discussed, and further research is…

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) underwent a business process reengineering (BPR) exercise with respect to future co-location of previously separate regulatory docket facilities. Their experience suggests that future mandatory electronic records management (ERM) requirements will cause federal agencies to take a more…

Discusses the history of the concept of freedom of information, development of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and its fluctuations. Explains how to file a FOIA request, what happens when records are released, and what can be done to improve FOIA. Sidebars list FOIA Web sites and material exempted from FOIA. (AEF)

Discusses the development of strategies for providing access to and services for U.S. federal government information in higher education using the global information infrastructure, from the perspective of the Coalition for Networked Information (CNI). Discusses the preservation of electronic information and networked information discovery and…

The Next Generation Internet (NGI) proposal by the Clinton Administration would advance the current state of the Internet, advance university research capabilities, and assist federal agencies in achieving their missions. Several concerns to be addressed before deciding on final action include the appropriate roles of the federal and private…

Notes that high school librarians should know what transpires at Model United Nations Assemblies and which books will help prepare students and educators for these experiences. Describes the conferences, student responsibilities, and awards. Provides a list of relevant university depository sources for United Nations records and reports. (AEF)