From jrussell@gpo.govMon Mar 25 08:36:49 1996 Date: Sat, 23 Mar 1996 14:31:50 -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 2: Methodology DRAFT REPORT FOR THE STUDY TO IDENTIFY MEASURES NECESSARY FOR A SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION TO A MORE ELECTRONIC FEDERAL DEPOSITORY LIBRARY PROGRAM (FDLP) SECTION II. Methodology GPO is now compiling the final report for the FDLP study. Included below is the draft of section II. Other sections of the report will be released individually as soon as they are completed. [Attachments 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. ***************************************************************** II. Methodology To implement the study, the Public Printer established a working group consisting of representatives from GPO, appropriate Congressional committees, the Congressional Research Service, the Office of Management and Budget, the National Archives and Records Administration, the Federal Publishers Committee, the Interagency Council on Printing and Publication Services, the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, and the depository library community. He also invited a number of organizations to identify representatives to serve as advisors to the working group. A complete roster of working and advisory group members is provided as Attachment C. Following the initial meeting of the working group, a number of tasks were identified to provide data and alternatives for consideration. These tasks included: - - A technical analysis by a Federally-funded research and development center (FFRDC) to determine the most cost effective way to provide electronic access through the FDLP. - - Identification of relevant laws, regulations, and policies regarding Government information dissemination, and evaluation of agency compliance in so far as they effect the FDLP. - - Identification, acquisition, and evaluation of available information relevant to the study. - - Identification of current and ongoing electronic information dissemination activities for the FDLP. - - Evaluation of incentives for publishing agencies to migrate from print-on-paper products to electronic format. - - Evaluation of current laws governing the FDLP and recommendation of any legislative changes necessary for a successful transition to a more electronic program. - - A survey of Federal agencies to identify CD-ROM titles not currently included in the FDLP and reasons for both participation and non-participation in the program. - - Case studies of specific Federal electronic dissemination initiatives with respect to their costs, and impact on public access to information through the FDLP in comparison with present methods of dissemination. - - Evaluation of issues surrounding inclusion in electronic formats of materials traditionally not included in the FDLP in either paper or microfiche. - - A review of Federal programs permitting or requiring the sale of information to recover costs, and the effects on efforts to assure free public access through the FDLP. The complete task list which identifies task leaders and specific case studies is included as Attachment D. Task reports, including reports for each cast study, were distributed to study participants and posted electronically to major Government document listservs for comment. Task leaders reviewed the comments received and, when appropriate, incorporated these remarks into the final reports. The final task reports are included as Attachments E.1 - E.14. At Congressional direction, the FFRDC technical study was deferred until further data collection could be completed. The letter from the Joint Committee on Printing denying the request for the FFRDC analysis is included as Attachment E.1. Task 2, which involved identification of laws, regulations, and policies regarding Government information dissemination, resulted in the compilation of more than 400 pages of statutory text. Rather than include the complete text of this report, the index for this compilation is included as Attachment E.2. Task 4, which identified current GPO electronic initiatives, was accomplished through a series of demonstrations and presentations given to working and advisory group members; therefore, no report for this task is included in the attachments. ***************************************************************** 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.