From jrussell@gpo.govMon Mar 25 08:37:39 1996 Date: Sat, 23 Mar 1996 14:31:45 -0600 From: "Judith C. Russell" Reply to: Discussion of Government Document Issues To: Multiple recipients of list GOVDOC-L Subject: FDLP Study: Draft Report Section 1: Introduction DRAFT REPORT FOR THE STUDY TO IDENTIFY MEASURES NECESSARY FOR A SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION TO A MORE ELECTRONIC FEDERAL DEPOSITORY LIBRARY PROGRAM (FDLP) SECTION I. Introduction GPO is now compiling the final report for the FDLP study. Included below is the draft of section I. Other sections of the report will be released individually as soon as they are completed. [Attachments and Exhibits 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 study@gpo.gov 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. ***************************************************************** I. Introduction Emerging technologies afford tremendous opportunities for improved and enhanced public access to Government information. However, the advent of electronic dissemination has brought with it a host of new problems and concerns unheard of, or less prevalent, in the paper-based model of Government dissemination. In many cases, technology has outpaced Government efforts to accommodate and adjust to its development. Several legislative and administrative initiatives over the last decade, including the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Government Printing Office Electronic Information Enhancement Act of 1993, and the 1994 revision of OMB Circular A-130, have attempted to address and/or advance the shift in Government dissemination methods from paper to electronic. However, the current consensus of stakeholders in the dissemination process is that legislation still is needed to amend Chapter 19 of Title 44 of the United States Code in order to ensure continued fulfillment of the basic principles of Federal Government information through the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) in an electronic environment. In August 1995, to assist future Congressional initiatives in this area, the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO), at the direction of Congress, initiated a cooperative study to identify measures necessary for a successful transition to a more electronic Federal Depository Library Program. The study involved representatives from the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government, as well as the depository library community, the national library associations, the information industry, and other appropriate government and public entities. In the Senate Report 104-114 to accompany H.R. 1854, the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act of 1996, the Committee stated that: Public access to Government information is a basic right of every American citizen. The Committee recognizes the critically important service that the Government Printing Office and participating libraries in the Federal Depository Library Program provide to citizens throughout the country in furnishing timely, equitable access to Government information. While acknowledging that recent advances in technology provide new opportunities for enhancing and improving public access to Government information, the report stated that without careful analysis, planning, and a strongly coordinated effort, improvements to the FDLP would be delayed, costly, and might compromise the public's right to Government information. Since the increasing utilization of electronic technologies in support of dissemination programs by all branches of government necessitates analysis, planning and a probable restructuring of the FDLP, the Committee directed the Public Printer to initiate a study that: - - examines the functions and services of the Federal Depository Library Program; - - Surveys current technological capabilities of the participating libraries in the Federal Depository Library Program; - - Surveys current and future information dissemination plans of executive branch agencies; - - Examines and suggests improvements for agency compliance of relevant laws, regulations, and policies regarding Government information dissemination; - - Identifies measures necessary to ensure a successful transition to a more electronically based program; - - Identifies the possible expansion of the array of Federal information products and services made available to participating libraries; and, - - Ensures the most cost effective program to the taxpayer. This document, the final study report, was to be made available to Congress by March 1996. House Report 104-212 to accompany H.R. 1854 concurred with the Senate recommendation, and Public Law 104-53 (109 Stat. 533), the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1996, included the following provision: Sec. 210. The fiscal year 1997 budget submission of the Public Printer to the Congress for the Government Printing Office shall include appropriations requests and recommendations to the Congress that- (1) are consistent with the strategic plan included in the technological study performed by the Public Printer pursuant to Senate Report 104 114; (2) assure substantial progress toward maximum use of electronic information dissemination technologies by all departments, agencies, and other entities of the Government with respect to the Depository Library Program and information dissemination generally; and (3) are formulated so as to require that any department, agency, or other entity of the Government that does not make such progress shall bear from its own resources the cost of its information dissemination by other than electronic means. Appropriate sections from the House and Senate reports and from Public Law 104-53 are included in this report as Attachment A. The provision from Section 210 of Public Law 104-53 resulted in the development and submission of The Federal Depository Library Program: Information which is provided as Exhibit 1. ***************************************************************** Individuals and organizations wishing to provide comments can send Internet e-mail to study@gpo.gov 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.