----------------------------Original message---------------------------- The point Charley, is not electronic or paper, but the existence of a Depository Library Program. I agree that the issue has become muddied with the question of electronic informtion. In fact, the issue is that at the end of October a lot of Document Libr'ns are going to make some recommendations about the Depository Library Program. Do the Map Librarians want to comment, or do we feel comfortable allowing our collegues making recommendations for us? Whatever we might feel about electronic mapping will matter little if we are not receiving the material through the depository program... IN THE MAP LIBRARY OR ANYWHERE IN THE LIBRARY. I think our government is not above trying to do what every other (?) nation does and make libraries pay for information. ---------------------- PATRICK MCGLAMERY MAP LIBRARIAN U-5M HOMER BABBIDGE LIBRARY UNIV. OF CONNECTICUT STORRS, CT 06268 (203) 486-4589 LIBMAP1@UCONNVM ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- In all this great rush to climb on the electronic bandwagon, let us remember that there are any number of depository libraries who simply are not up to coping with the internet, let alone all the other stuff that is going on. It is very important that we move into an electronc age, but do not assume that the electronic junkies reading this are the depository universe. We cannot abandon the great majority of the 1400 depositories simply because the top several (?) hundred see the approach of the electronic millenium. charley seave aka DOCMAPS