----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Below is the text of the Action Alert from the Chair of the ALA/Government Documents Round Table. Although this information is targeted for Documents Librarians, anyone working with government information needs to be aware of this information. Please feel free to pass this information to your colleagues, supervisors, Library Directors or Deans. Thank you. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- March 10, 1995 TO: Federal Depository Librarians FROM: Mary Redmond, Chair, Government Documents Round Table American Library Association RE: Action Alert Your help is vitally needed to ensure the continuing existence of the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP). Equitable access to information by and about the Federal government is essential to an informed electorate. In the current atmosphere of budget cutting your help is needed to preserve this low-cost and efficient program with its wide-reaching and long-lasting benefits. With many new Representatives and Senators in Congress, it is absolutely essential that every legislator be contacted by the depository librarians in his or her district. Members of Congress need to be better informed about the value of depository libraries to their constituents. Depository library staffs are in a unique position to inform legislators about how their constituents are served in depository libraries, and how government information is used. It is important to stress small business uses of government information, for example, and to give specific illustrations. Depository libraries can also assist Congressional district offices with inquiries from the public. Key members of Congress have indicated interest in shifting the Federal Depository Library Program to all-electronic distribution. The FDLP is making the transition from dissemination of Government information to libraries in the traditional print formats to the appropriate use of electronic media. Of greatest significance will be the change from the physical dissemination of documents to a system of electronic on- demand delivery of the information. Such delivery, in either image or full text format, offers potential future economies for both libraries and the Government. Depository libraries will also be acting in new roles, serving as intermediaries helping the public find paths to Federal electronic information and providing access to the information via electronic gateways. There are a variety of legislative proposals before Congress which would affect the Government Printing Office (GPO) and the Federal Depository Library Program. GPO is an attractive target because it has a large number of employees devoted to Congressional printing. However, more than 75 percent of GPO's printing is procured from the private sector. But GPO's involvement in the printing process, either directly, or through contracting, ensures that materials get into the depository library program, are distributed to libraries throughout the United States and thus are preserved for current and future use. Legislators need to be better informed about how the public uses Federal information, as still today only a small proportion of Federal information is available in electronic formats. Further, only a small proportion of the population has access to electronic information formats, or can use information in non-print formats. Depository libraries provide a valuable function in delivering electronic information, such as the National Trade Data Bank, to users who need assistance or lack equipment to access electronic information. The point is that while the FDLP is moving forward with the use of electronic media, there is a thoughtful transition to be undertaken before the electronic format becomes the norm for general public use. It is imperative that you communicate with your legislator in a non-partisan manner, as the Federal Depository Library Program works in a non-partisan partnership role in nearly every Congressional district in the nation. Various members of the Government Documents Round Table, a group of more than 1,300 individuals interested in promoting access to government information, have prepared the attached fact sheet which summarizes information about the depository library program. Like our parent organization, the 55,000 member American Library Association, we are a non-partisan, nonprofit educational association. You, as a depository librarian, staff member, director or library user, are the most qualified to provide the information that legislators need to make intelligent, informed decisions on critical government information issues. You know the value of Federal information in all formats, the importance of preserving it, and how the legislator's constituents use government information. WHAT CAN YOU DO? * Please, contact your Representative's and Senators' local office and invite them--and his or her staff--to visit your depository library. It's important to call now. Since the House and Senate will be in recess from mid to late April, Members of Congress will be returning to their districts. If a visit to your library cannot be arranged, ask for an appointment to visit the legislator or staff. * Besides educating your local legislators, which is of primary importance, also contact members of the Appropriations Committees, particularly the Legislative Branch Subcommittees in the House and Senate. A list of members and addresses is attached. Concentrate first on members from your state. Members of the Subcommittees are making decisions now about GPO's FY 1996 funding request of $30.3 million for the Superintendent of Documents Appropriation. This sum includes $25.6 million for acquisition and distribution of publications and electronic information to depository libraries, and $3.3 million for cataloging and indexing of government publications so that it is accessible to the public. * Once you have established contact with your legislators, maintain communication. If you visit Washington, D.C., visit Congressional offices. Attend town meetings and other local functions that put you in contact with your legislators. Keep abreast of developments in Congress. Let your Representative and Senators know how legislation would affect their local depository library and service to their constituents. The American Library Association Washington Office monitors Federal legislation of interest to libraries, and can provide specific information. Members of the Government Documents Round Table Legislation Committee can also assist. Addresses are at the bottom of this letter. * Urge your legislators to: 1) support the continued distribution of print and electronic products to the Federal Depository Library Program; and 2) oppose legislation that would eliminate GPO's centralized printing and printing procurement, and sever the link between the printing function and distribution to depository libraries. Legislators need to be better informed about the distribution of Government information, because they may erroneously assume that all information is available online. Addresses: Mary Redmond Chair, Government Documents Round Table (GODORT) Cultural Education Center (518) 474-3940 New York State Library [log in to unmask] Albany, NY 12230 Linda Kennedy Chair, GODORT Legislation Committe (916) 752-1656 Government Documents Department [log in to unmask] Shields Library University of California, Davis Davis, CA 95616 American Library Association (ALA) Washington Office (202) 547-4440 110 Maryland Avenue N.E Washington, D.C. 20002 ______________________________________________________________________________ Append to cover NAAN cover letter: HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS H 218 Capitol, Washington, D.C. 20515-6015 (202) 225-2771 Republicans Democrats R. Livingston, Jr. (LA), Chmn. David R. Obey (WI) Joseph McDade (PA) Sidney Yates (IL) John Myers (IN) Louis Stokes (OH) Bill Young (FL) Tom Bevill (AL) Ralph Regula (OH) John P. Murtha (PA) Jerry Lewis (CA) Chalres Wilson (TX) John Edward Porter (IL) Norm D. Dicks (WA) Harold Rogers (KY) Martin Olav Sabo (MN) Joe R. Skeen (NM) Julian C. Dixon (CA) Frank R. Wolf (VA) Vic Fazio (CA) Tom D. DeLay (TX) W. G. "Bill" Hefner (NC) Jim Kolbe (AZ) Steny H. Hoyer (MD) Barbara Vucanovich (NV) Richard J. Durbin (IL) Jim Ross Lightfoot (IA) Ronald D. Coleman (TX) Ronald C. Packard (CA) Alan B. Mollohan (WV) H. L. Callahan (AL) Jim Chapman (TX) James T. Walsh (NY) Peter J. Visclosky (IN) Charles H. Taylor (NC) Thomas M. Foglietta (PA) David L. Hobson (OH) Esteban Edward Torres (CA) Ernest Jim Istook (OK) Nita M. Lowey (NY) Henry Bonilla (TX) Ray Thornton (AR) Joe Knollenberg (MI) Dan Miller (FL) Jay Dickey (AR) Jack Kingston (GA) Frank Riggs (CA) Rodney Frelinghuysen (NJ) Roger Wicker (MS) Michael Forbes (NY) George Nethercutt (WA) Jim Bunn (OR) Mark Neumann (WI) Legislative Subcommittee Packard, Chmn. Fazio Young Thornton Taylor Dixon Miller Wicker SENATE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS S-128 Capitol Building, Washington, D.C. 20510-6025 (202) 224-3471 Republicans Democrats Mark Hatfield (OR), Chmn. Robert Byrd (WV) Ted Stevens (AK) Daniel Inouye (HI) Thad Cochran (MS) Ernest Holldings (SC) Arlen Specter (PA) Bennett Johnston (LA) Pete Domenici (NM) Patrick Leahy (VT) Phil Gramm (TX) Dale Bumpers (AR) Christopher Bond (MO) Frank Lautenburg (NJ) Slade Gorton (WA) Tom Harkin (IA) Mitch McConnell (KY) Barbara Mikulski (MD) Connie Mack (FL) Harry Reid (NV) Conrad Burns (MT) Robert Kerrey (NE) Richard Shelby (AL) Herbert Kohl (WI) James Jeffords (VT) Patty Murray (WA) Judd Gregg (NH) Robert Bennett (UT) Legislative Branch Subcommmittee Mack, Chmn. Murray Bennett Mikulsi Jeffords JOINT COMMITTEE ON PRINTING SH-818, Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510 (202) 224-5241 Thomas, Bill (R-CA), Chmn Stevens, Ted (R-AK), V-Chmn Senate members: Hatfield, Mark (R-OR) Ford, Wendell (D-KY) Thad Cochran (R-MS) Inouye, Daniel (D-HI) House members: Roberts, Pat (R-KS Hoyer, Steny (D-MD) Ney, Bob (R-OH) Jefferson, William (D-LA) RULES AND ADMINISTRATION SR-305, Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510-6325 Phone: (202) 224-6352 Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) -- chairman Republicans: Democrats: Mark O. Hatfield (Ore.) Wendell H. Ford (Ky.) Jesse Helms (N.C.) -- ranking member John W. Warner (Va.) Claiborne Pell (R.I.) Bob Dole (Kan.) Robert C. Byrd (W.Va) Mitch McConnell (Ky.) Daniel K. Inouye (HI) Thad Cochran (Miss.) Daniel Patrick Moynihan (N.Y.) Rick Santorum (Pa.) Christopher J. Dodd (Conn.) Don Nickles (Okla.) Dianne Feinstein (Calif.) HOUSE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE H-312 Capitol, Washington, D.C. 20515-6157 (202) 225-8281 Bill Thomas (R-Calif.) -- chairman Republicans: Democrats: Vernon J. Ehlers (Mich.) Vic Fazio (Calif.) Pat Roberts (Kan.) -- ranking member John A. Boehner (Ohio) Sam Gejdenson (Conn.) Jennifer Dunn (Wash.) Steny H. Hoyer (Md.) Lincoln Diaz-Balart (Fla.) William J. Jefferson(La.) Bob Ney (Ohio) Ed Pastor (Ariz.) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FACT SHEET: The Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) PARTNERSHIP: The Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) is operated by the Government Printing Office (GPO) and its partnership network of 1,391 private, state, and Federal libraries located throughout the United States and its Territories. This network of libraries, each staffed by professional librarians knowledgeable about Government information, provides a Government information infrastructure for the nation. * The FDLP is a partnership between the Federal Government and libraries funded by state or local government or private institutions to serve the public in their local communities. * Depository libraries ensure equitable access to government information, an essential function in a democracy. * Depository libraries are designated by members of Congress and located in public, academic, federal and private libraries in all parts of the country. * The nearly 1,400 depository libraries contribute at least three times the value of the documents they receive, by providing cataloging records, storage and work space, microform and computer equipment, and professional staff with expertise in government information to assist the public. * During the period of transition to electronic delivery, depository libraries must also continue to service the historical paper and microfiche collections of Government documents while expanding their capability to handle electronic information. Depositories will also help the public find Federal electronic information and provide access to the information via electronic gateways. * Depository libraries have been one of the most important factors in preservation of the historical record of the Government of the United States of America, by acquiring, cataloging and preserving federal government information. * Depository libraries take a significant burden from the Government by making its information accessible to the public, and preserving it for future use. ELECTRONIC INFORMATION The FDLP is expanding the electronic delivery of Federal information through depository libraries, but a thoughtful transition period is needed. Electronic delivery, in either image or full text format, offers potential future economies for both libraries and the Government. * Depository libraries already provide access to a wide variety of government information in electronic formats distributed by GPO. In addition, there are a growing number of online electronic services from government agencies. HOWEVER, the vast majority of government information is still available only in PRINT. * Of the over 64,000 titles distributed through the FDLP in FY 1994, less than 0.5% were even available electronically. * Access to electronic information is still limited to a minority of the population: ** The majority of citizens are not computer users and require assistance in using both printed and electronic information. ** Estimates vary as to how many people actually use the Internet. According to the National Journal (1/21/95), 36 percent of U.S. households own computers, but few of these are high-end machines that can fully access the Internet. In 1993, only 22% of schools had computers with modems (1994 Statistical Abstract). ** Even at that level of use, many popular sites are not available at peak periods. * The electronic form of a publication is not recognized as a legal citation. WHY THE FDLP WORKS SO WELL * Congress created a centralized Government Printing Office in 1861 to end mismanagement in printing procurement. In 1895 Congress recognized the advantage of linking the FDLP with the GPO's printing function, and reassigned responsibility for the FDLP to GPO. * More than 75 percent of GPO's printing is already contracted out to the private sector. The remaining 25 percent, printed at GPO's facilities, is primarily for Congress and key executive products with special printing requirements. * The FDLP is efficient because it consolidates the printing and distribution of publications of many agencies into one system of printing, selection, cataloging and classification, and distribution to libraries all over the country, thus realizing enormous economies of scale. * The FDLP provides a selection mechanism for depository libraries to customize its selection of publications according to the needs of its user community. GPO "rides" agency print orders by adding the requisite number of copies for selecting libraries, keeping production costs to a minimum. * The FDLP has cost-effective procurement contracts to convert paper publications to microfiche when appropriate, saving millions of dollars in printing and distribution costs. GPO's distribution network provides a cost effective mechanism for consolidating and shipping publications. * GPO's distribution provides depository libraries a mechanism to request publications which have not been received and to answer queries, relieving the publishing agencies of this responsibility. COSTS: * The cost to the taxpayer for the FDLP and the Cataloging and Indexing Program is approximately $28 million per year, out of a Superintendent of Documents appropriation of $32 million. This represents less than one percent of the Legislative Branch appropriation, or about 0.002 percent of the entire federal budget. In other words, the annual cost of this critical national resource is less than 11 cents per person. * In FY 1994, Federal depository libraries received more than 20 million copies of over 64,000 individual documents, at a cost to the taxpayer of just over $1 per copy. * This level of efficiency is achieved through the centralization and specialization of the FDLP. If operated on a decentralized basis, its costs could triple, and coverage of Government information would decline. Government Documents Round Table, American Library Association March 10, 1995