Approved-By:  RAED@VMD.CSO.UIUC.EDU
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.govdoc-l
Date:         Tue, 8 Sep 1992 09:41:05 CDT
From:         GARCORN%NERVM@PSUVM.PSU.EDU
Subject:      GPO Bulletin Board

----------------------------Original message----------------------------
Submitted by:
      Gary Cornwell
      Chair, Depository Library Council


There has been much discussion lately on GOVDOC-L regarding
the GPO BBS, I had a long talk with Judy Russell yesterday and
perhaps I can offer some additional insight into the discussions.

As was pointed out by Julie, there have been a number of SIGS
and enhancements added to the Bulletin Board.  Most of the
new files available on the Bulletin Board (such as the TRI) have
already been distributed to depository libraries in another
format.  (In the case of TRI in both MF and CD-ROM.)  Without
going to JCP and Appropriations for authorization and funding,
GPO is presently unable to make these online files available via
the DLP.  In other words, they are currently only available to
persons accessing them through a GPO deposit account.
However, GPO plans are to disseminate by either floppy or CD-
ROM all files posted on the Bulletin Board that haven't been
distributed to depository libraries.  Additionally, all "free files"
(such as the readme files) associated with each SIG are
available to depositories at no charge.  Once this first step has
been made and GPO acquires not only experience in the
dissemination of electronic files, but also obtains some actual
cost figures on running the system, then they can go back to
JCP and Appropriations on behalf of depositories libraries.

With regards to enhancements to the GPO EBB, LPS staff has
been diligently working to improve their system.  While some
may argue that the GPO BBS is not as "user friendly" as the
Census Bulletin Board, significant advances have been made.
More importantly, they are committed to doing whatever is
necessary to produce a first-class product.  I would encourage
anyone with specific comments or suggestions for improving
the GPO EBB to forward their comments to the SYSOP, which by
the way, you can now do via email on the Bulletin Board.

An article detailing all the enhancements and changes to the
GPO BBS will be published in the September 15 issue of
AdminNotes.

I know that many of you are still concerned about not having
access to online files and would request that GPO take all
actions necessary to acquire authorization and funding to make
these files available via the DLP.  To a large extent they are
actively working toward this goal.  In the meantime, we are
working with an antiquated DLP - designed for the
dissemination of print products - and trying to make it work in
the electronic age.  Based on a number of factors, including a
very limited GPO budget, the DLP as currently structured is no
longer the best vehicle for dissemination of government
information.  In light of NREN, the Internet, and proposed
WINDO legislation, GPO and the Depository Library Council are
very interested in taking a pro-active role in developing a
proposal for a restructured and revitalized Depository Library
Program.

Toward that end, the Fall 1992 Depository Library Council
meeting with be primarily devoted to restructuring the DLP.
The meeting will be the first in a series of discussions on
restructuring the program.  The ultimate goal of these
discussions will be the development of a proposal for a revised
DLP that meets the needs of both the producers and users of
government information.  Topics to be discussed at the Fall
meeting and the Council members assigned to each topic are
listed below.

RESTRUCTURING OF THE DEPOSITORY LIBRARY PROGRAM

1)  Should there be a Depository Library Program in
the
     electronic age?  If so, how could the program be
     structured to fit the realities of the current GPO
budget?

                 Bob Oakley (Issue coordinator)
                 William Cassell
                 Miriam Drake

2)  What are the goals and objectives of the Depository
     Library Program, are these goals consistent with
the
     member institutions?  Are they also meeting their
     responsibility to serve the public?

                 Beth Duston (Issue coordinator)
                 Jack Sulzer
                 Gary Cornwell

3) What Federal agency dissemination needs are being
met
     through the current Depository Library Program?
How
     well are they being met?  How could the current
     program provide better service?  What Federal
agency
    dissemination needs could be met through a
restructured
    DLP?

                 John Weiner (Issue coordinator)
                 Bill Ellis
                 Mark Vonderhaar

4)   What criteria can be developed to measure the
      effectiveness of the existing Depository Library
      Program and how can these criteria be applied to
      models such as the one presented by ARL?  What
are
      the implications of maintaining the status quo and
      making no changes to the current program.

                 Richard Varn (Issue coordinator)
                 Judith Rowe
                 Sandy Morton-Schwalb

5)   Various critics of the Depository Library System
have
       proposed alternative models such as the creation
of a
       national collection or a system of "super-
regionals" or
       electronic depositories to help relieve some of the
       problems associated with the current system.
What
       are the ideal characteristics of these alternative
       structures and what criteria can be used for their
       analysis.

                 Kay Schlueter (Issue coordinator)
                 Susan Tulis
                 Carol Gordon

The members of the Depository Library Council welcome any
comments or input that you may have regarding these topics.  I
urge you to forward any comments that you may have on these
topics to either appropriate the "Issue Coordinator," GOVDOC-L,
or to me directly.


   ****   ****   ****   ****   ****   ****   ****   ****   ****   ****

GARY CORNWELL                      PHONE:     (904) 392-0366
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA LIBRARIES    FAX:       (904) 392-7251
DOCUMENTS DEPARTMENT               BITNET:    GARCORN@NERVM
LIBRARY WEST                       INTERNET:  GARCORN@NERVM.NERDC.UFL.EDU
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA  32611
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU