----------------------------Original message----------------------------
This message is forwarded from Geonet-L.  Perhaps the map library
community needs to develop a response.  Linda Zellmer
 
Date:    Tue, 17 Oct 95 12:55 PDT
From:    "Barbara E. Haner"                   <[log in to unmask]>
 
Subject: USGS Publications Advisory Coomiittee needs input
 
   USGS:   GEOLOGIC DIVISION PUBLICATIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
 
An Ad Hoc Committee has been formed within the Geologic
Division of the USGS to make recommendations on a wide
variety of issues concerned with publications, the
integration of the scientific programs into the publication
process, and the USGS libraries.  Recommendations will be
made to the Chief Geologist and the Division Policy Council.
The final report will be sent to the Chief Geologist in
November.
 
The chair of the committee, James Smith, is seeking general
overall publication reviews from outsiders.  This is your
opportunity: as librarians, as users of the geologic
literature, as keen observers of its use by patrons, and as
people with a vested interest in the smooth, efficient
dissemination of the published literature to have input into
a critical report.
 
You have all had the opportunity to work with the new
digital formats and probably have some insight into their
efficiency, usefulness, and what is missing or currently
unavailable when information is presented in this format.
You have worked with the USGS publication series and maps
and know the usefulness and value of these series.  How do
they relate to the needs of your patrons?  Do you see
overlap?  How are open-file reports used? What improvements
would you like to see?  Think of these issues and others,
then put pen to paper.
 
Some of the issues being considered by the committee which
you may wish to address include:
      - Establishing publication priorities
      - What type of publications should be published in the
      future.
      - Standards for publications and whether these should
      be determined by regional technical report publication
      groups/units or a central publications group
      - On-line publishing, publications on alternate media
      (eg. WWW) etc. What types of information in this form,
      are they efficient and can they be maintained? How is
      payment made?
      - What are the consideration for spatial databases and
      the implications for their use, distribution, etc
      - What policies should be developed to govern general
      interest publications
 
      *** What administration and technical support does the
      library need and who should provide it.  (The library
      by tradition has been in the Geologic Division to
      support the research efforts of scientists); library
      funding, organization, its future role.
 
Letters should be sent to:
Chairman Publications Advisory Committee
James Smith, Chairman
U.S. Geological Survey, M.S. 910
345 Middlefield Road
Menlo Park, CA 90025
Fax: 415-329-5203
email: [log in to unmask]
 
OR: Library Representative to Publications Committee
Wendy Merryman
U.S. Geological Survey
National Center, M.S. 950
12201 Sunrise Valley Drive
Reston, VA 22092
 
Library Issues Committee
Kathryn Gunderson, Chairman
U.S. Geological Survey
National Center, M.S. 802
12201 Sunrise Valley Drive
Reston, VA 22092
 
OR:   West Coast Library Representative
William Normark
Associate Chief Geologist
U.S. Geological Survey M.S. 919
345 Middlefield Road
Menlo Park, CA 94025
email: [log in to unmask]
 
Distributed by:  Barbara E. Haner, GIS President
[log in to unmask]