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Forwarded from GOVDOC-L.
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DRAFT REPORT FOR THE STUDY TO IDENTIFY MEASURES NECESSARY FOR A
SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION TO A MORE ELECTRONIC FEDERAL DEPOSITORY
LIBRARY PROGRAM (FDLP)
 
SECTION IV.  Mission and Goals for the Federal Depository Library
Program (FDLP)
 
GPO is now compiling the final report for the FDLP study.
Included below is the draft of section IV.  Other sections of
the report will be released individually as soon as they are
completed. [Attachments are omitted, but will be available with
the final report.]
 
Although time is short, your comments are welcome. You can send
Internet e-mail to [log in to unmask] or send a fax to the attention
of FDLP Study at 202-512-1262.  Correspondence can be addressed
to FDLP Study, Mail Stop SDE, U.S. Government Printing Office,
Washington, DC 20401.
 
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IV.  Mission and Goals for the Federal Depository Library Program
(FDLP)
 
MISSION:  The mission of the Federal Depository Library Program
is to provide equitable, efficient, timely and dependable no-fee
public access to Federal Government information products within
the scope of the program [See Note 1 below for definitions].
 
The Government's transition to electronic dissemination requires
changing the way the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP)
operates, redefining terms taken for granted in the
print-on-paper publishing environment, finding ways to use new
technologies both to sustain and increase the amount of
information in the FDLP, and exploring new methods for the
delivery of information in timely, useful formats. However, the
underlying mission of the program remains unchanged -- to provide
equitable, efficient, timely and dependable no-fee public access
to Federal Government information products that fall within the
scope of the program. Fulfilling this mission in the
rapidly-changing world of electronic information requires the
renewed and expanded cooperation of Federal publishers, the
Government Printing Office, depository libraries, the National
Archives and Records Administration and other organizations both
public and private that are committed to the dissemination of,
and public access to, Government information.
 
The goals for an electronic FDLP reaffirm the traditional
objectives of the program with a new emphasis that reflects the
increasing amount of Government information in electronic form.
 
GOAL 1:  Ensure that the public has equitable, no-fee, local
access to Government information through a centrally managed,
statutorily authorized network of geographically-dispersed
depository libraries.  This includes ensuring that depository
libraries provide public access workstations and the related
services necessary to connect the public to remote Government
information and sufficient to assure equitable access to
Government information.
 
GOAL 2:  Use new information technologies to improve public
access to Government information and expand the array of Federal
information products and services made available through the
FDLP. This includes (1) ensuring that Government information
traditionally in the FDLP in print or microform remains available
through the FDLP when converted to electronic form by publishing
agencies; (2) converting appropriate Government print products to
an electronic format when a suitable electronic format is not
available from the publishing agency and conversion is a
cost-effective means to disseminate the information to
depository libraries; and (3) acquiring, or obtaining access for
depository libraries to, electronic Government information
products and services which have not been included in the FDLP in
print or microform, but which can now be cost-effectively
included as electronic products.
 
GOAL 3:  Provide Government information in formats appropriate
to the needs of users and intended usage. This includes
establishing a reasonable number of standard formats for
electronic information disseminated through the FDLP which
depository libraries are responsible for supporting.
 
GOAL 4:  Enable the public to locate Government information
regardless of formats.  This includes (1) participation in, and
utilization of, the Government Information Locator Service
(GILS) and (2) development of other locator services tailored
specifically to the needs of the FDLP.
 
GOAL 5:  Ensure both timely, current public access and permanent,
future public access to Government information at or through
depository libraries.
 
GOAL 6:  Facilitate preservation of Government information
through the National Archives and Records Administration. This
includes the transfer to NARA of information disseminated to
depository libraries by GPO or held by GPO for depository library
access.
 
GOAL 7:  Ensure that the program is cost-effective for all
parties involved, including Government publishing agencies, GPO,
depository libraries, and the public.  This includes a commitment
to minimize costs to depository libraries as a result of changes
in the FDLP, in order to encourage continued participation in the
program and thereby assure broad public access to Government
information.
 
Note 1:  For purposes of this report, Government information is
defined as Government publications, or other Government
information products, regardless of form or format, created or
compiled by Government employees, or at Government expense, or as
required by law.  The scope of the FDLP is Government information
products, except those determined by their issuing agency to be
required for official use only or for strictly administrative or
operational purposes which have no public interest or educational
value and information classified for reasons of national
security. [A full list definitions will be included as an
attachment to the final report.]
 
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Individuals and organizations wishing to provide comments can
send Internet e-mail to [log in to unmask] or send a fax to the
attention of FDLP Study at 202-512-1262.  Correspondence can be
addressed to FDLP Study, Mail Stop SDE, U.S. Government Printing
Office, Washington, DC 20401.