----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Everyone has probably seen announcements for the National Geo Data Policy Forum (May 10-12), at the Sheraton Premiere at Tysons Corner, D.C. Will map librarians/libraries be represented? By the Cartographic Users Advisory Committee (CUAC)? At GIS/LIS in San Jose, the Geo Data Policy theme was meta-data standards (i.e. database records). Gary Fitzpatrick, Library of Congress liason to the Federal Geographic Data Committee, voluntered MARC as an existing Federal (FIPS) standard suitable for this application, "with the infrastructure already in place, practicioners trained and a national utility of map and computer records on-line." Convenors were surprised, to say the least. Judging from the advertisment for this May's meeting, the meta data issue is resolved. Now, access and freedom of information are prominant. We've been down this road before with Landsat, Tiger, USGS doling out GNIS cd's to state affiliates only, etc. NGDC needs to get public domain principles right from the start. If a map librarian from the east can attend, you could do good disproportionate to your number; if you would be willing to file a report, I'll see about a press pass for you.. [log in to unmask]