----------------------------Original message----------------------------
Forwarded from GOVDOC-L, this may be of interest to those working with U.S.
federal maps, especially those received through the Federal Depository
Library Program. Three other forwarded messages follow on this topic.
----------( Enclosure 1 follows )-------------------------------------------------------------------
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Date: Sat, 23 Mar 1996 14:31:55 -0600
Reply-To: Discussion of Government Document Issues <[log in to unmask]>
Sender: Discussion of Government Document Issues <[log in to unmask]>
From: "Judith C. Russell" <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: FDLP Study: Draft Report Section 3: Principles of Govt.
Information
Comments: cc: Reply requested <[log in to unmask]>,
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To: Multiple recipients of list GOVDOC-L <GOVDOC-L@PSUVM>
DRAFT REPORT FOR THE STUDY TO IDENTIFY MEASURES NECESSARY FOR A
SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION TO A MORE ELECTRONIC FEDERAL DEPOSITORY
LIBRARY PROGRAM (FDLP)
SECTION III. Principles for Government Information
GPO is now compiling the final report for the FDLP study.
Included below is the draft of section III. 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.
*****************************************************************
III. Principles for Federal Government Information
The FDLP Study brought together an unprecedented combination of
representatives from all of the major parties which share an
interest in the continued dissemination of, and access to,
Government information through the Federal Depository Library
Program. Despite differing viewpoints, agendas and
responsibilities, study participants did reach consensus on
several basic principles for Federal Government information. Over
the years, these principles have been expressed by a wide variety
of organizations many times and in many different ways. Last
year, the National Commission on Library and Information Science
(NCLIS) published their version of the principles for comment in
the June 9, 1995 issue of the Federal Register. The NCLIS
principles are included as Attachment F. The principles below,
which derived from the NCLIS principles, served as the underlying
foundation for all study group discussion and activities.
Principle 1: The Public Has the Right of Access to Government
Information
A cornerstone of every democratic society is the public's right
to access Government information. Open and uninhibited access to
Government information ensures that the public has the
opportunity to monitor and participate in the full range of
Government activities. As Thomas Jefferson said in 1816, "[I]f we
are to guard against ignorance and remain free, it is the
responsibility of every American to be informed." Access to
Government information, except were restricted by law, is a basic
right of every American citizen. It should not be format
dependent, nor should it be compromised by the imposition of
fees, time delays or copyright-like restrictions imposed by the
Government expressly to hinder access, use or redissemination.
Principle 2: Government Has an Obligation to Disseminate and
Provide Broad Public Access to its Information
The Government should not only allow public participation in the
democratic process by providing access to its information, but
should encourage public participation and use of Government
information through proactive dissemination efforts. This
principle was the basis for the establishment of the Federal
Depository Library Program more than a century ago. It also is
supported by hundreds of other Government statutes which prohibit
the copyright of Federal information, mandate affirmative public
dissemination of such information and assign dissemination
functions to a variety of Federal agencies and government-wide
clearinghouses. This responsibility also entails providing public
access to Government information in such a way that even those
citizens without special equipment or training can find, access,
and use it.
Principle 3: Government Has an Obligation to Guarantee the
Authenticity and Integrity of Government
Information
Government information is used in many ways, some of which affect
the continued health and livelihood of the American public. Any
corruption of Government information poses a serious and real
threat to the common good. Therefore the Government has an
obligation to protect its citizens by guaranteeing to the
maximum extent possible the authenticity and integrity of its
information. Due to the ease in which it currently is possible to
manipulate electronic source files, the obligation to provide
long range assurances of authenticity will become increasingly
important as more Government information moves to electronic
format.
Principle 4: Government Has an Obligation to Preserve Its
Information
Government information is part of our national heritage. It
documents the fundamental rights of American citizens, the
actions of federal officials in all three branches of our
Government, and the characteristics of our national experience.
Therefore, it is a Government obligation to guarantee the
preservation of Government information for future generations of
Americans. This principle applies to Government information that
contains valuable historical data or that provides evidence of
the organizations, functions, policies, decisions, procedures,
operations or activities of the Government. Despite changing
times and technologies, public access to these types of
Government information in a meaningful form must be maintained in
perpetuity to ensure the continued accountability of the
Government to its past, present, and future citizens.
Principle 5: Government Information Created or Compiled by
Government Employees or at Government Expense
Should Remain in the Public Domain
Except when exempted by law, Government information created or
compiled at Government expense or by Government employees as part
of their official duties, regardless of the format in which it is
published, is in the public domain. The Government is precluded
by Chapter 1, Title 17, U. S. C. from holding copyright
protection for its published and/or unpublished works. This
prohibition on copyright should not be undermined by the
Government's imposition of copyright-like restrictions on the use
or reuse of Government information (i.e. imposition of royalties,
establishment of exclusive distribution arrangements, denying
access to underlying data).
*****************************************************************
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.
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