Administrative Notes

Newsletter of the Federal Depository Library Program

Vol. 22, no. 02 GP 3.16/3-2:22/ 02 January 15, 2001

New Library Inspector Appointed: Walter Zoller

Walter Zoller has recently joined the Library Programs Service as a depository library inspector.

Mr. Zoller came to LPS from East Carolina University's Joyner Library, where he was a

documents librarian for the past three years. Prior to this, he had brief employment stints with

the Small Business Administration and the School of Information and Library Sciences at

SUNY-Buffalo, from where he received his MLS. His prior work experience also includes 19+

years in the banking industry, where he worked in all aspects of the commercial lending field.

His undergraduate degree is from St. Bonaventure University in mathematics.

Revised Edition of Preparing for a Library Inspection

Now on GPO Access

An updated version of Preparing for a Library Inspection has been added to the FDLP Desktop

Web site at <http://www.access.gpo.gov/fdlpdesktop>. This updates a print version that had

been sent to depositories prior to an inspection visit. Libraries scheduled for an inspection

should review the online document prior to the visit.

Keep Your Library’s Directory Entry Up to Date

Does your library have a new director or depository librarian? Have there been any changes in

phone numbers, fax numbers, e-mail addresses, or the depository’s URL? Now would be a good

time to review your library’s entry in the online database at <www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/

fdlp/tools/ldirect.html> and make any necessary corrections.

Any changes input by February 9 will be reflected in the February 2001 edition of the Federal

Depository Library Directory.

Please note that in the online directory, the URL should be for a site that has a direct link to

specific government information page(s) or a significant mention of the library’s depository

status.
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New Dissemination/Distribution Policy Implemented

The new Superintendent of Documents’ “Dissemination/Distribution Policy for the FDLP” (SOD

71) and the related list of “Essential Titles for Public Use in Paper Format,” printed below, have

been approved and were put into effect on January 2, 2001. The policy statement and the list are

important working documents for LPS staff to use in acquiring publications for the Federal

Depository Library Program, and should result in a more predictable decision-making process.

At the fall 2000 Depository Library Council meeting, the “Dissemination/Distribution Policy for

the FDLP,” which at that point included the list of titles, was presented in draft form. The

discussions at the meeting resulted in several suggestions for clarifying the draft. Council

recommended that GPO proceed with the policy (See Recommendation no. 5, Administrative

Notes, v. 21, #16, 12/15/00). LPS staff incorporated the substance and spirit of the Council

discussions into the final policy, as well as the input received as a result of posting the draft to

GOVDOC-L.

The expanded list of “Essential Titles for Public Use in Paper Format” contains titles of 42

publications that GPO is committed to keeping available for selection in paper format as long as

those titles continue to be issued in paper by the publishing agency. In October and November

LPS received comments and suggestions from the depository library community for the list.

LPS received suggestions from 55 persons, recommending 207 specific titles as essential for

distribution in paper. Only 105 of the 207 titles were recommended by more than one person.

Of the 207 specific titles recommended, we added 22 to the “Essential Titles” list, including the

open-ended category for decennial census publications.

All of the other suggestions were also considered, with the following results:

1. Many of the remaining suggested titles and categories of publications meet the special

conditions or needs categories identified in the policy statement, which states that

publications in such categories will be distributed in paper. For example, military history

titles are included in the “titles of historical significance” clause in policy statement part

4.(b).

2. Other recommended titles, such as the Survey of Current Business, are not specifically cited

on the list because they are considered to be of “significant reference value to most types of

FDLP libraries.”

3. Some suggested titles did not address the choice between dissemination in paper or online.

For example, there were suggestions to include titles that are currently distributed in

microfiche.

4. The remaining suggested titles not addressed above will not necessarily be migrated to online

dissemination only. They are, however, subject to being migrated to online format as

funding or other circumstances change.
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SUPERINTENDENT OF DOCUMENTS

POLICY STATEMENT

EFFECTIVE DATE January 2, 2001

NO. SOD 71

Subject: Dissemination/Distribution Policy for the Federal Depository Library Program

Overview.

Information content remains the primary selection criteria for inclusion of U.S. Government

information products in the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP). Regardless of format,

publications must conform to the definition in 44 U.S.C. Sec. 1901.

Library Programs Service (LPS) will determine the best method for making government

information products available to the depository libraries. When more than one format exists for

a product, LPS will determine how to best provide the information by assessing: how the product

will be used, the specific characteristics of the online and/or tangible product, issues relating to

permanent public access, and the cost of providing the material.

As directed by Congress, the primary method of making publications available to the FDLP is

online dissemination. Specific product characteristics may dictate that an alternate method needs

to be used. LPS will use the following guidelines to determine the most appropriate method.

Guidelines.

Determination of the best method for making a product available to depository libraries is made

at the time of notification and product selection. If additional information becomes available,

modifications to the original dissemination decision may be made if feasible.

1. When a product is only available online, it will be disseminated in online format.

2. When a product is only available in tangible format, then LPS will distribute it in a tangible

format.

3. When the product is available both online and in a tangible format the standard practice will

be to disseminate the online version to depository libraries. A tangible product will be

distributed only if the online version is:

a. incomplete. For example:

i. online products that contain only selected or abstracted portions of the content

provided in its entirety in the tangible product, or

ii. kits comprised of mixed media tangible products where only a portion of the title is

online.
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b. not recognized as official by the publishing agency. For example, this can occur when

the electronic version is on a non-verifiable or unofficial Web site.

c. located in an online site where products are known to be changed randomly. For

example, this would occur when the product content may be overwritten by different

content.

d. very difficult to use, thus impeding access to data or content. For example, this can

occur when the product design imposes technological barriers to usage.

e. not cost-effective. The costs associated with disseminating the online product exceed

those for the tangible product. For example, this situation may arise with fee-based

online services.

f. fee-based, and created, all or in part, through the use of non-appropriated funds. For

example, this can occur when the publishing agency designates the product as

cooperative. 44 U.S.C. Sec. 1903.

4. If a product is disseminated to depository libraries online and a tangible format is available,

the tangible product will also be distributed if the tangible product meets special conditions

or needs, i.e., when:

a. there is a legal requirement to distribute the product in tangible format.

b. the tangible product is of significant reference value to most types of FDLP libraries, as

may be the case with certain compilations, legal resources, permanent legal records or

products of historical importance.

c. the tangible product is intended to serve a special needs population. For example, this

could occur when the publication is in Braille or large print.

d. the commonly-accepted medium of the user community is tangible format. For

example, this could apply to maps and/or charts.

e. the product is essential to the conduct of Government. GPO has identified a list of

“Essential Titles for Public Use in Paper Format.” When those titles are published in

paper format they will be made available in paper for selection by depository libraries.

5. When a tangible product is to be distributed, the product will be distributed in the format

issued by the publishing agency, except that a paper product will be reviewed for suitability

for conversion to microfiche. If suitable, it will be converted; if not, it will be distributed in

paper.

6. LPS will not convert products that are issued solely in tangible print format to electronic

format. This approach may be reevaluated as circumstances warrant. The costs of the

conversion process and the official status of the resulting online or tangible electronic version

are important factors.
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Scope.

This policy pertains to all U.S. Government information products subject to

dissemination/distribution to depository libraries. 44 U.S.C. Sec. 1901-1903.

Application.

The Director, Library Programs Service, is responsible for ensuring that all publications are

disseminated and/or distributed to depository libraries in the most effective manner.

Related Documents.

This policy relates to and augments the policy established in SOD 13, Format of Publications

Distributed to Depository Libraries, issued on August 22, 1983. It should also be used in

conjunction with the January 2001 document entitled “Essential Titles for Public Use in Paper

Format,” published by the Library Programs Service.

Document Terminology.

Dissemination The act of making government information products accessible to

depository libraries.

Distribution Applying FDLP information and services to a tangible product and

sending a tangible copy to depository libraries.

Online Dissemination Applying FDLP information and services to an online product and

announcing it to depository libraries.

Online Format The product is published at a publicly accessible Internet site.

Product A publication regardless of presentation media or format.

Tangible Product Information conveyed on a physical medium. Tangible products

may be in traditional print format, i.e., paper or microfiche, or in

tangible electronic format, i.e. video, diskette, magnetic tape, CDROM, optical disk, or successor technology.

References:

“Depository Library Program,” Title 44 U.S. Code, Sec. 1901-1916, 1994 ed.

“Format of Publications Distributed to Depository Libraries,” Superintendent of Documents

Policy Statement No. SOD 13, August 22, 1983.
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MacGilvray, Marian W. and John M. Walters. Electronic Capabilities of Federal Depository

Libraries, Summer 1994. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1995.

“Priorities for Disseminating Electronic Products and Services from the U.S. Government

Printing Office.” Documents to the People, 20, no. 2 (June 1992): 78-79.

U.S. Government Printing Office. Report to the Congress: Study to Identify Measures Necessary

for a Successful Transition to a More Electronic Federal Depository Library Program, as

required by Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1996, Public Law 104-53. Washington:

Government Printing Office, 1996.

U.S. Government Printing Office. Library Programs Service. Managing the FDLP Electronic

Collection: A Policy and Planning Document. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1998.

U.S. House. Making Appropriations for the Legislative Branch for the Fiscal Year Ending

September 30, 2001, and for Other Purposes. Conference Report (H. Rpt. 106-796).

Washington: Government Printing Office, 2000.

U. S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science. Report on the Assessment of

Electronic Government Information Products, prepared by Westat, Rockville, Md. Washington:

Government Printing Office, March 30, 1999.

Approved ___________________________

(Superintendent of Documents)

Essential Titles for Public Use in Paper Format

The dissemination of information products through the Federal Depository Library Program

(FDLP) includes a variety of formats. As directed by Congress, the primary method of making

publications available to the FDLP is in online format. There are, however, specific titles that are

to remain available for selection in paper format, so long as they are published in paper by the

originating agency. These titles contain critical information about the activities of the U.S.

Government or are important reference publications for libraries and the public. Maintaining the

availability of these titles for selection in paper format has been deemed essential to the purposes

of the FDLP.

This list was developed using input provided by the depository library community. Discussions

concerning what titles were essential to the public and to FDLP libraries in paper format were held

in conjunction with the development of the “Dissemination/Distribution Policy for the FDLP” in

October 2000. An initial list, published in the 1996 “Study to Identify Measures Necessary for a

Successful Transition to a More Electronic Federal Depository Library Program,” served as a

foundation for this document.
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Titles may be added or removed from this list. Titles recommended by the library community

will be considered for inclusion in this list. Titles will be removed when it has been determined

that the agency has ceased publication in paper. Major changes in the operations or funding of the

FDLP may cause this list to be modified at any time.

In addition, publications not available in electronic format, as well those determined to be

appropriate for distribution in tangible format under the Superintendent of Documents’

“Dissemination/Distribution Policy for the Federal Depository Library Program” (SOD 71, dated

January 2, 2001), will be distributed in tangible format.

The following list of specific titles, when published in paper format, will be made available for

selection by depository libraries:

Agricultural Statistics

Budget of the United States Government

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

Code of Federal Regulations

Condition of Education

Congressional Directory

Congressional Record (final bound edition)*

Constitution of the United States, Analysis

and Interpretation

Consumer Price Index (CPI) Detailed Report

Crime in the United States

Decennial Census

Digest of Education Statistics

Economic Census

Economic Indicators

Economic Report of the President

Federal Register

Foreign Relations of the U.S.

Green Book (Committee on Ways and

Means)

Handbook of North American Indians

Harmonized Tariff Schedule of U.S.

Health US

Letters to Delegates of Congress

List of Sections Affected (CFR)

Monthly Labor Review

North American Industry Classification

System Manual (NAICS)

Occupational Outlook Handbook

Producer Price Index (PPI) Detailed Report

Public Papers of the President

Social Security Bulletin

Social Security Handbook

Sourcebook of Criminal Justice Statistics

Statutes at Large

State & Metropolitan Area Data Book

Statistical Abstract of the U.S.

Treaties and Other International Acts of the

United States

Treaties in Force

U.S. Government Manual

U.S. Industry and Trade Outlook

United States Code

United States Congressional Serial Set

(bound edition)*

United States Reports

World Factbook

* Distribution is already limited to regional depository libraries and one library in each state

without a regional.

December 15, 2000
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Library Programs Service Update

American Library Association Midwinter Conference

January 2001

[Handout]

LPS Personnel Changes

The Library Programs Service (LPS) has experienced some recent changes in work assignments

among the managerial personnel. Vicki Barber, Chief of the Depository Distribution Division,

has been detailed to the Superintendent of Documents’ staff to assist in implementing the

Integrated Processing System (IPS) in the Documents Sales Service. This detail is expected to

last up to one year. Consequently, Colleen Davis has been detailed to the position of Chief of the

Depository Distribution Division.

Sheila McGarr has left LPS to become the director of the National Library of Education. As

Chief of the Library Division, Sheila had management responsibility for the Cataloging Branch

(CB), the Depository Administration Branch (DAB), and the Depository Services Staff (DSS).

DSS includes the library inspection team, the responsibility for LPS publishing, and event

planning for the annual Federal Depository Library Conference, the semi-annual Depository

Library Council meetings, and annual Interagency Seminar. In order to cover these critical

activities, Robin Haun-Mohamed has been named the Chief of DSS.

The transition of the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) to a program that emphasizes

the discovery, cataloging, and management of online publications has brought about many

operational adjustments in LPS’ work. During the past year LPS has experimented with an

Electronic Collection Team. More recently, we have conducted two analyses of the impact of

processing online publications on our operations. These efforts strongly suggest that operating

effectiveness and service to the public can be improved through a closer coordination between

CB and DAB staff. Therefore, Thomas A. Downing, Chief of the Cataloging Branch, has been

named the acting Chief of the Depository Administration Branch. He will also continue as Chief

of the Cataloging Branch.

Finally, LPS is pleased to announce the addition of two librarians to our staff. In October,

Martin Bokow joined LPS as a serial cataloger. From 1996 until joining GPO Marty was

employed as a contract serials and monographs cataloger working at the National Oceanic and

Atmospheric Administration Library. This month, Walter Zoller from East Carolina University

became a Library Inspector. There is still one inspector vacancy yet to be filled in order to return

to the summer 2000 staffing level in DSS.

Dissemination/Distribution Policy for the FDLP

LPS has completed two items that were discussed at the fall 2000 meeting of the Depository

Library Council to the Public Printer (Council). These are the Superintendent of Documents’

“Dissemination/Distribution Policy for the FDLP” (SOD 71, dated 1/2/01) and the related list of
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“Essential Titles for Public Use in Paper Format.” These will be published in Administrative

Notes and posted on the FDLP Desktop, GOVDOC-L and DocTech-L.

At the fall 2000 Council meeting, the “Dissemination/Distribution Policy for the FDLP,” was

presented in draft form. Following the discussion at the meeting, and the suggestions that

Council made for the policy’s clarification, LPS staff has revised the draft, incorporating both

Council’s comments and input received as a result of posting the draft to GOVDOC-L. The new

policy statement incorporates the substance and spirit of the discussions at Council.

The related “Essential Titles” list contains titles of publications that GPO is committed to

keeping available for selection in paper format as long as those titles continued to be issued in

paper by the publishing agency. This list was initially derived from a title list included in the

draft “Dissemination/Distribution Policy for the FDLP.” During the process of working with the

many suggestions for the list, LPS decided to separate the list from the policy statement. The

rationale for this action is the expectation that the list of titles will be more dynamic than the

policy statement, which should remain relatively fixed over a long period of time.

LPS took suggestions from the depository library community for the new “Essential Titles” list,

considering all suggestions received through November 15. Fifty-five persons sent suggestions,

recommending 207 specific titles as essential for distribution in paper. Based on this input, LPS

has expanded the “Essential Titles” list to 42 titles, including decennial census publications.

Outreach

The 14th annual Interagency Depository Seminar will be held from May 30 - June 6, 2001 at the

U.S. Government Printing Office. The preliminary agenda and registration form appeared in the

October 15, 2000 issue of Administrative Notes at <www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/pubs/

adnotes/ad101500.html#6>. There are still slots available in the seminar. The registration

deadline is March 13, 2001.

The spring 2001 Depository Library Council meeting will be held April 1-4, at the Four Points

Hotel Riverwalk North in San Antonio. The preliminary agenda and registration form will

appear in the January 15, 2001 issue of Administrative Notes.

Library Address Corrections

Documents staff should review and correct their directory entry at <www.access.gpo.gov/

su_docs/fdlp/tools/ldirect.html> as soon as possible. Entries in this database are used to produce

the Federal Depository Library Directory. The next edition will be published in March and will

be supplied to each Member of Congress and staff in the local congressional offices, as well as to

all depositories.

Correct library addresses are also necessary to prevent delivery problems and additional expense.

FedEx Ground charges LPS an additional $5.00 per shipment box if there are any delivery

problems resulting from incorrect library addresses. Recently LPS has been assessed numerous

surcharges that were traced back to incorrect library zip codes. When your library’s delivery
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address changes for any reason, such as temporary delivery locations due to a strike, library

renovations, severe weather, zip code changes, etc., it is imperative to notify LPS immediately.

Depository Product Update: Recent Additions to the FDLP

Buy a Safer Car 2001: Valuable Information on: Crash Tests, Safety Features and Buying Tips.

TD 8.2:2001002120, Item 0982-D-01 (Online)

Crime in the United States. J 1.14/7:999, Item 0722 (Paper and Online)

Healthy People 2010, Understanding and Improving Health, November 2000.

HE 20.2:P39/4/2010, Item 0485 (Paper and Online)

ID Theft, When Bad Things Happen to Your Good Name, Revised August 2000.

FT 1.2:2000023276, Item No. 0535 (Online)

Policy and Supporting Positions (Plum Book), November 8, 2000.

Y 4.G 74/9:S.PRT.106-54, Item 1037-B (Paper & Online)

106-1 S. Doc., Proceedings of the United States Senate in the Impeachment Trial of President

William Jefferson Clinton. Y 1.1/3:106-4/V.1-4, Item 1004-E (Paper)

Report of the FDA Retail Food Program Database of Foodborne Illness Risk Factors.

HE 20.4502:2001001417, Item 0495-B-01 (Online)

Standard Occupational Classification Manual, 2000. PREX 2.6/3:2000, Item 0854-A-04 (Paper)

Tiger/Census Tract Street Index, Version 4. C 3.279/2:DVD-TGR 2000-CTSI-V 4, Item 0154-

E-01 (DVD)

Shipping Lists Available Online

Shipping Lists, beginning with lists for FY2001, are now available on GPO Access in PDF

(Adobe Portable Document Format). PDF files for paper, electronic and separates shipments are

available at <http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/tools/sl/slister.html>. Since PDF

documents can be printed as exact facsimiles of the original shipping lists that accompany

depository shipments, these copies may be used to claim missing items following established

claiming procedures.

PDF files for microfiche shipping lists will be available in the future. Until then, the FY 2001

microfiche shipping lists will continue to be available on U.S. FaxWatch. The paper, separates,

and electronic shipping lists are no longer available from U.S. Fax Watch. Only the new FY

2001 shipping lists are being converted to PDF--no retrospective conversions are planned.

Paper shipping lists will continue to be sent to libraries in shipment boxes. The information on

the shipping lists will continue to be available in dBase format from the Federal Bulletin Board
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located at <http://fedbbs.access.gpo.gov/fdlp01.htm>. The Enhanced Shipping List Label

Service, a partnership project between the State University of New York at Buffalo and the

Federal Depository Library Program, will also continue to be available from <http://ublib.

buffalo.edu/libraries/units/cts/acq/gpo/>.

Serials Supplement: 2001 Issue

The first paper issue of the Serials Supplement is expected to be published in early 2001. The

Serials Supplement, which replaces the Periodicals Supplement, will consist of more than 1,000

bibliographic records representing serials currently published by U.S. Government agencies.

Many of these records will contain URL/PURLs for online access to serial issues. The

Depository Library Council concurred with a re-definition of serials to include resources issued

once or more a year. This change has prompted a title change from Periodicals Supplement to

Serials Supplement. Use of this more inclusive definition means the Serials Supplement contains

several hundred more records than were included in the Periodicals Supplement, which had

represented only serials issued three or more times a year.

GPO Cataloging Guidelines

Internet publishing by U.S. Government agencies has significantly influenced the development

of national cataloging policies. In recent years GPO has established policies associated with

computer files, linking fields, and collection level records for the use of GPO catalogers. These

specific guidelines are accessible via the FDLP Desktop application at the GPO Web site.

These and other changes to cataloging policies during recent years have prompted efforts to

publish a revised edition of the GPO Cataloging Guidelines. Edits are now being made to

approximately 200 pages of text. When completed, this edition of the Guidelines will be

published online on the FDLP Desktop during the early part of 2001.

GPO Papers Published, Presented

The Cataloging Directorate of the Library of Congress (LC) recently sponsored an international

conference entitled “Bicentennial Conference on Bibliographic Control for the New Millennium:

Confronting the Challenges of Networked Resources and the Web.” This conference included

participants from the U.S. national libraries, several major university libraries, the British

Library, the National Library of Canada, National Library of Australia, major commercial

vendors, and distinguished faculty of graduate schools of library and information science.

Thomas A. Downing, Chief, Cataloging Branch, was invited to participate and contributed a

conference paper entitled, “An Initial Survey and Description of How Selected United States

Government Libraries, Information Centers, and Information Services Provide Public Access to

Information via the Internet.” This paper is available at <http://lcweb.loc.gov/catdir/bibcontrol/

downing_paper.html>. This and other papers published at the conference site provide readers

with insights into the challenges, policies, options, and methods used to identify and provide

access to online resources.
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George Barnum represented the FDLP at "Preservation 2000: An International Conference on

the Preservation and Long Term Accessibility of Digital Materials" held in York, England,

December 6-8, 2000. The conference, sponsored by the British consortium Cedars, the Research

Libraries Group, OCLC, Inc., and the Joint Information Systems Committee (UK), was preceded

by a workshop on developments in the creation and use of metadata for digital preservation.

George presented a paper, written in collaboration with former LPS Transition Specialist Steve

Kerchoff, titled "The FDLP Electronic Collection: Preserving a Tradition of Access to United

States Government Information." He was one of 17 speakers from around the world addressing

all aspects of digital preservation. His paper focused on the unique challenges of preserving and

delivering free and open access to official information. He shared the podium with speakers

from the National Library of Australia, the British Library, the Koninklijke Bibliotheek

(Netherlands), and the Government of Canada, among others. He will share the paper and his

impressions of the conference in articles in Administrative Notes.
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Public Printer’s Comments on NCLIS Report Draft

January 4, 2001

The Honorable Martha B. Gould

Chairperson

U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science

1110 Vermont Avenue, NW

Suite 820

Washington, DC 20005-3552

Dear Ms. Gould:

The National Commission on Libraries and Information Science (NCLIS), under your

leadership, is to be commended for taking on the ambitious and difficult task of assessing

Federal information policy and recommending changes for the future. However, I am unable to

support the proposals in the draft NCLIS report, “A Comprehensive Assessment of Public

Information Dissemination,” or the draft legislation that has resulted from this effort, “The

Public Information Resources Reform Act of 2001.”

The NCLIS study characterizes public information resources as a “strategic national asset.” I

agree that this level of importance should be assigned to Government information (although I am

concerned that treating these resources as a commodity, rather than as mainstays of our civic

culture, may have some unforeseen consequences). I also agree that Federal information policy

faces a number of challenges from electronic information technology. These challenges,

however, do not lead me to believe that a wholly new Federal agency, accompanied by a new

and highly complex set of interagency roles and responsibilities, is necessary, feasible, or even

desirable.

There already exists in the Federal Depository Library Program (supplemented by the electronic

authority provided by chapter 41 of Title 44, U.S.C.) an effective statutory mechanism for

providing comprehensive, equitable public access to Government information. With sufficient

funding, this system is capable of meeting the challenges of the electronic information age:

guaranteeing permanent public access, ensuring authenticity, providing finding aids, supporting

users of electronic products and services, and meeting the continuing demand for information in

printed formats (which is still considerable). The FDLP has already made demonstrable progress

in these areas, a fact to which the NCLIS draft report regrettably pays little attention. The FDLP

has articulated and embraced a new vision of a primarily electronic FDLP in the Internet era

through its 1996 Study to Identify Measures Necessary for a Successful Transition to a More

Electronic Federal Depository Library Program and its 1998 report, Managing the FDLP

Electronic Collection: A Policy and Planning Document. Last year, more than half the new titles

included in the FDLP were in electronic format. We have convened the Government’s primary

interagency working group on permanent public access, and taken a variety of other steps toward

improving and expanding public access to electronic Government information holdings. In view

of this progress, I do not believe Congress would establish and fund an alternative agency—at an

unknown cost—to perform substantially the same function.
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I have strong reservations about the executive branch function proposed by NCLIS because it

would remove information dissemination from the direct control of the people’s elected

representatives, where it most appropriately belongs in our form of government. I do not agree

that information dissemination is an “inherently executive function.” It is Article I of the

Constitution that requires Congress to inform the public of its activities—and so the activities of

the Government—not Article II, and it is from within the legislative branch that the

Government’s information has been disseminated for most of this Nation’s history. I am not

aware of any comparable information dissemination capability—nor statutory responsibility nor

record of commitment to comprehensive and equitable public access—in the executive branch

that would lead me to believe that it would be the superlative location for that function.

I am concerned by the Commission’s proposal to separate printing procurement authority from

GPO. This was a central tenet of the “reinventing Government” proposals regarding GPO that

were advanced in 1993-94, and it was not accepted by Congress. Separating the printing

procurement program from GPO will subject those procurements to the Federal Acquisition

Regulation (FAR), rather than GPO’s Printing Procurement Regulations. The FAR’s treatment

of small purchases will end open, competitive procurements of most print orders flowing through

the program, significantly raising costs to the taxpayer. Other major issues regarding

Government printing are left unaddressed by the draft report and legislation. Would agencies be

permitted to expand their own in-plant printing operations? Would they be permitted to conduct

their own printing procurements through waivers? How would the cost of printing left with GPO

be addressed? The brief attention given to the future of the Government’s printing capability in

the draft report and legislation is problematic, and I urge the Commission’s staff to review

GPO’s testimony on the “reinventing Government” printing proposals delivered before the

Senate Committee on Rules and Administration in February 1994.

I had hoped that the NCLIS study would examine in depth the feasibility of combining the

National Technical Information Service with GPO, as I proposed before the 106th Congress in

1999, and perhaps discuss the ramifications of combining the FDLP with the Library of

Congress, as is being reviewed now by the General Accounting Office at the direction of the

conferees on the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act of FY 2001. These are specific issues

that could impact public access to Government information significantly. I urge the Commission

to address these issues in revising the draft report.

Sincerely,

MICHAEL F. DiMARIO

Public Printer
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Library Programs Service Contacts

January 2001

OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR

Voice Fax E-mail

Gil Baldwin – Director 202-512-1002 202-512-1432 ebaldwin@gpo.gov

Greta Campbell - Secretary 202-512-1114 202-512-1432 gcampbell@gpo.gov

George Barnum – Electronic Collection

Manager

202-512-1114 202-512-1432 gbarnum@gpo.gov

William Thompson – Program Analyst 202-512-1114 202-512-1432 wthompson@gpo.gov

Laurie B. Hall – Supervisory Program

Analyst

202-512-1114 202-512-1432 lhall@gpo.gov

Cindy Etkin – Program Analyst 202-512-1119 202-512-1432 cetkin@gpo.gov

Sandy Morton-Schwalb – Program

Analyst

202-512-1114 202-512-1432 smorton-schwalb@gpo.gov

DEPOSITORY DISTRIBUTION DIVISION

Colleen Davis - Acting Chief 202-512-1007 202-512-1429 cdavis@gpo.gov

Depository Claims Office 202-512-1024 202-512-1429

LIBRARY DIVISION

DEPOSITORY SERVICES STAFF

Robin Haun-Mohamed - Chief 202-512-1119 202-512-1432 rhaun-mohamed@gpo.gov

Charles Bradsher - Inspector 202-512-1119 202-512-1432 cbradsher@gpo.gov

Walter Zoller - Inspector 202-512-1119 202-512-1432 wzoller@gpo.gov

CATALOGING BRANCH

Thomas A. Downing - Chief 202-512-1121 202-512-1432 tdowning@gpo.gov

DEPOSITORY ADMINISTRATION BRANCH

Thomas A. Downing –Acting Chief 202-512-1121 202-512-0877 tdowning@gpo.gov

Yvonne Washington – Publications

Management Specialist

202-512-1131 202-512-0877 ywashington@gpo.gov

Earl Lewter – Chief, Acquisitions and

Classification

202-512-1063 202-512-0877 elewter@gpo.gov

John Tate - Chief, Acquisitions and

Classification

202-512-1129 202-512-0877 jtate@gpo.gov

Micrographics Section 202-512-1060 202-512-1636
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Table of Contents

New Library Inspector Appointed: Walter Zoller.........................................................................1

Revised Edition of Preparing for a Library Inspection Now on GPO Access..............................1

Keep Your Library’s Directory Entry Up to Date.........................................................................1

New Dissemination/Distribution Policy (SOD 71) Implemented.................................................2

Essential Titles for Public Use in Paper Format...........................................................................6

Library Programs Service Update, ALA, 1/01..............................................................................8

Public Printer’s Comments on NCLIS Report Draft...................................................................13

Library Programs Service Contacts, January 2001.....................................................................15

Administrative Notes is published in Washington, DC by the Superintendent of Documents, Library

Programs Service, Government Printing Office, for the staffs of U.S. Federal Depository Libraries.

It is published on the 15th day of each month; some months have additional issues. Postmaster send

address changes to: The Editor, Administrative Notes

U.S. Government Printing Office

Library Programs Service, SLLD

Washington, DC 20401

Internet access at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/pubs/adnotes/index.html

Editor: Marian W. MacGilvray (202) 512-1119 mmacgilvray@gpo.gov