ADMINISTRATIVE NOTES Newsletter of the Federal Depository Library Program ------------------------------------------------------------------------ July 15, 1999 GP 3.16/3-2:20/11 (Vol. 20, no. 11) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Request Your 2000 GPO Access Training or Demonstrations The Government Printing Office (GPO) provides a variety of GPO Access support services to Federal depository libraries. GPO Access support includes the GPO Access User Support Team, print and online documentation such as user guides and training booklets, and GPO Access training classes and demonstrations. While both demonstrations and training classes provide valuable information relating to the GPO Access services, their purpose, design and technological requirements are very different. As a result, you should consider each characteristic before deciding which support service or combination of services would be most beneficial to the intended audience. Generally, attendees at GPO Access training sessions should be depository librarians and any staff members of depository libraries who assist users with access to Federal Government information or conduct research. However, demonstrations may be more appropriate for general audiences. GPO Access Training Classes GPO Access training classes involve hands-on use of GPO Access by participants at individual computer workstations. The hands-on training provides an in-depth review of all facets of the GPO Access services, including GPO Access components, interfaces, methods of access, general searching strategies, Web interfaces, etc. Because of the large amount of information presented, a full-day class is recommended. (A full day class is approximately eight hours; six hours of actual hands-on training and two hours for breaks and lunch, however, adjustments can be made based on your individual needs.) In fact, over 80% of depository librarians who attended a four-hour class said they would rather have attended a full-day class. Appendix A contains the GPO Access Training Overview, detailing the information covered during a full-day session. The hands-on and practical experience the training session provides will allow you to take full advantage of GPO Access services. The knowledge that you gain will prove invaluable, whether you are training another librarian, assisting a patron or conducting research. A checklist of the technological requirements for all GPO Access training classes starts on page 10. GPO Access Demonstrations GPO Access demonstrations do not provide for hands-on experience and as a result can cater to larger audiences than a training class. In a demonstration, the audience views the presentation on a screen or projection monitor. As a result, the technological guidelines for a demonstration are not as rigorous because only one terminal and a projection screen or large monitor are required. The main purpose of a demonstration is to show the basic GPO Access features and functions. Demonstrations are usually two hours in duration, consisting of 90 minutes of lecture and a 30-minute question and answer period. Making Your Request for GPO Access Training Classes and/or Demonstrations Due to the large number of requests for GPO Access Training/Demonstrations, the Library Programs Service (LPS) and the Office of Electronic Information Dissemination Services (EIDS) have developed a checklist you should use when submitting your requests. Please fill out the checklist in its entirety. We will utilize these checklists when reviewing your request, when responding to your training requests and prioritizing the allocation of our resources. Priorities Priority consideration will be given to: * training, rather than demonstrations, * groups of depository librarians, * large audiences, * events which may be combined with other official travel or appearances, * events in states where GPO has not recently appeared. For example, conducting GPO Access training in proximity to national or state library association conventions allows us to maximize the use of our travel funds and training personnel. Direct requests for GPO Access training or demonstrations to: Chief, Library Division Library Programs Service (SLL) U.S. Government Printing Office Washington, DC 20401 Phone: (202) 512-1119 Fax: (202) 512-1432 E-mail: smcgarr@gpo.gov In order to facilitate LPS and EIDS planning for 2000, LPS should receive your requests by January 1, 2000. If you are unable to meet the January 1, 2000 deadline for training requests you may still request training; however, requests will be considered on a first come, first served basis. Whenever possible, requests for GPO Access training or demonstrations should be received at GPO at least three months in advance of the planned event date. GPO will respond to all requests upon final approval of our fiscal year training budget. GPO will work with local event planners to ensure that all necessary arrangements are made as far in advance as possible. As a general rule, acceptance of travel expenses from an organization that is substantially affected by GPO policies and actions is a violation of GPO regulations, and is therefore not permitted. GPO Access Training Session Overview (Note: all times are approximate) 9:0010:30 Break 10:45 Code of Federal Regulations Database coverage includes a brief explanation of Commerce Business Daily database content, (CBD) searching techniques and "helpful hints." (Time is allowed for users to work independently with databases and receive individual attention if needed.) 12:00 Lunch Break 1:30 Congressional Database Database coverage includes Overview and Review of a brief explanation of Web Page database content, searching techniques and Congressional Record "helpful hints." (Time is allowed for users to work Congressional Record independently with Index databases and receive individual attention if History of Bills needed.) Congressional Bills Public Laws U.S. Code (Other Congressional Databases dependent on time) GAO Reports 3:00 Break 3:15 Additional Web Applications Pathway Locator Services Government Information Locator Service (GILS) Privacy Acts Monthly Catalog of Government Publications (MOCAT) Federal Bulletin Board Sales Product Catalog and Online Ordering Look at FDLP Administration Page 5:00 Class Ends Please note: Although GPO will make every effort to honor our GPO Access training or demonstration commitments, changing circumstances may require cancellation at the convenience of the U.S. Government. Curriculum Checklist Note: If your available time and resources do not allow for the full-day class (as outlined above), it will be necessary to remove sufficient topics and independent practice time to fit the class within the available schedule. We will assist you in this elimination process, but would prefer that you make the final decision on what will be left out of the classes at your site. If there are any additional GPO Access topics that you would like to have added to the class, the same elimination procedure will be necessary in order to fit within the allotted class time. If you are requesting less than a full-day class, please check off the GPO Access topics you would like to be covered: Databases: Additional Web Applications: Adobe Acrobat Reader ___ Congressional Bills ___ Congressional Record ___ Congressional Record Index ___ The Federal Bulletin Board ___ Federal Register ___ GAO Reports ___ GILS ___ History of Bills ___ MoCat ___ Pathways ___ Privacy Acts ___ Public Laws ___ Sales Info. From SuDocs ___ U.S. Code ___ Other GPO Access topics/databases you wish to be covered: GPO Access Training Requirements (Please submit this completed form along with your request) I. Site Requirements All workstations in one continuous, self-contained training area, preferably a computer lab. The maximum number of people per workstation is two, with no more than 30 students per training session. 1. Date(s) and time(s) requested ___________________ ___________________ ___________________ ___________________ ___________________ ___________________ 2. Training Site Location (Full Address): _________________________________________ _________________________________________ _________________________________________ _________________________________________ 3. Number of workstations at your facility: __________ 4. Type of platform: MAC _____ IBM Compatible _____ 4a. If IBM compatible what type of operating system? Windows _____ Windows 95 _____ Windows NT _____ DOS _____ 5. Do you have projection equipment (i.e. overhead projector/LCD unit)? Yes ___ No ___ 6. Is an instructor's workstation available? Yes ___ No ___ 7. Approximate number of individuals expected to attend training sessions: Day 1 _____ Day 2 _____ Day 3 _____ 8. Will instructor have lab access one day prior to training? Yes ___ No ___ II. Technical Requirements It is mandatory that each of the technical requirements listed below are met. 1. Do you have a Full Internet Connection? Yes ___ No ___ 2. Do you have a Web Browser, such as Netscape 3.0, successfully installed on each workstation? Yes ___ No ___ 3. Do you have Adobe Acrobat Reader successfully installed on each workstation? Yes ___ No ___ It is essential that software be configured and tested prior to the arrival of the instructors to maximize the time instructors can devote to training. III. Personnel Requirements It is imperative the contact person(s) be accessible during every event. In addition, the contact person(s) must be available the day before the event to meet with GPO personnel to visit all facilities and prepare for the following day. Training Facility Coordinator Contact Name: _________________________ E-mail: _________________________ Phone: _________________________ Technical Contact Person: (if same as above do not complete.) Name: _________________________ E-mail: _________________________ Phone: _________________________ *In addition to completing this form, if your request is accepted you will be expected to complete and sign a GPO Access Training Agreement Form prior to the session.