ADMINISTRATIVE NOTES

Newsletter of the Federal Depository Library Program

Vol. 16, no. 02 GP 3.16/3-2:16/02 January 15, 1995

[This letter was sent to all directors of depository libraries by first class mail during the week of

January 3-6, 1995. ]

January 4, 1995

Dear Depository Library Director:

I am writing to you in your capacity as the director of one of the nearly 1,400 libraries in the

Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP), to share some thoughts on what we can do

together to meet the challenge of the electronic information future. The U.S. Government

Printing Office (GPO) has administered the FDLP for over 100 years, forging a successful

partnership in safeguarding the American public's right to know about the activities of their

government.

In GPO and in depository libraries the historical mechanism of distributing physical copies of

publications produced a system based on the on-site use of depository library collections.

Electronic publishing and dissemination technologies are shifting the emphasis from what a

library owns to what the library user can access. The FDLP is in a transition period during

which both GPO and the depository libraries must work together to create new and

innovative ways to serve the public.

As you know, it is difficult just to keep up with current events in the expanding world of

electronic information delivery. Federal agencies are spawning bulletin boards, Internet

servers, and CD-ROMs at a dizzying pace. The opportunities for connecting with this

proliferation of information are multiplying exponentially. Connectivity is important, but it is not our main problem.

What is missing, and what we must work on together, is the ability to sift through this

exploding universe of data and take useful information the final ten yards to the public

consumer in a way that satisfies individual needs. We must address a whole range of critical

issues including the training of librarians, technical support, upgrading library computer

resources, promoting public awareness, and paying for the costs of these activities. Without

this commitment to reach out and make contact with the American public we will have a huge but unused storehouse of Federal Government information.

l
AN-vl6-#02-l/15/95

GPO Access

Here are some new initiatives undertaken by the FDLP. Under the GPO Electronic

Information Access Enhancement Act of 1993, the Superintendent of Documents is required

to maintain an electronic directory of Federal electronic information (the Locator Service);

provide a system of online access to the Congressional Record, the Federal Register and

other appropriate publications (the Online Service); and operate an electronic storage facility

for Federal electronic information (the Storage Facility). Collectively, along with the Federal

Bulletin Board, these are called GPO Access.

The GPO Access online interactive services, including the Congressional Record, the Federal

Register, and the Congressional Bills databases, are now being offered free of charge to depository libraries. We will soon add the U.S. Code and other legislative, regulatory, and

judicial databases. In addition, over the past three years more than 800 Federal CD-ROM

products were distributed to depository libraries. These electronic products offer exciting

new public service opportunities for those libraries which have the requisite equipment and

personnel resources to use them.

To this point, the electronic products in the FDLP are additional, not alternate, selections for

Federal information, and have been offered as adjuncts to the traditional print formats. Since

we are moving from paper to electronic format, depository libraries must prepare for the day

when the electronic version of many publications will be the sole format provided through the

FDLP.

GPO's electronic storage facility will soon offer important new services I am sure you will

want to test and use. The facility will collect Federal electronic information in image and

full-text formats which will be available to depository libraries on demand. We foresee that

on demand electronic access will ultimately replace much of the microfiche and paper

presently being sent to depository libraries.

GPO's Locator Service, the "electronic directory of Federal electronic information," will serve the public directly and through depository libraries. It will provide users with

descriptive data on a variety of Federal information services and products and facilitate access

to the referenced information. The Locator Service will provide access to bibliographic

records from the GPO sales publication database (Publications Reference File) and the

Monthly Catalog of U.S. Government Publications . Users who wish to view the referenced

publications will be directed to the nearest depository libraries which received the material.

In addition, users may opt to order publications from the GPO Sales Program. The GPO

Locator Service's design complies with the recently announced Government Information

Locator Systems (GILS) standards, and allows the incorporation of additional locators from

other participating Federal agencies.

Gateways to GPO Access

Perhaps our most exciting initiative is the "gateway" project, under which a participating

depository library can extend no-fee, off-site public access to GPO's online services, through

the library's own computer resources or an arrangement with a state or local public network.

Anyone with a personal computer, a phone modem, and communications software may
AN-vl6-#02- 1/15/95

connect from home or office to the GPO Access databases through a depository library

gateway. Gateway users may search the databases as frequently as they like, without charge.

GPO is working with a select group of depository libraries and local networks to develop

model gateways built on existing campus and public networks. The first two gateways began

in October 1994, making free access to the GPO online interactive services available to the

American public around the clock, seven days a week.

Access to these electronic products, including the online interactive services, is provided free

of charge to depository libraries, with the costs paid by the FDLP appropriation. As with all depository information, the library must provide free public access to the selected databases

and CD-ROM products. Increasingly, the users of depository libraries expect to have access

to Federal electronic information, whether disseminated online or on CD-ROM. Although it

is not yet mandatory to provide such services through public access work stations, it is recommended.

For the past several years, GPO has provided to the depository community a set of

"Recommended Minimum Technical Guidelines" for microcomputer hardware and software

for use with Federal electronic information. We have recently upgraded the recommended

platform based on the results of the "Electronic Capabilities Survey" of depositories which we

conducted during July and August 1994. Considering the findings of that survey, and the

types of electronic products which GPO and other agencies are offering, we are recommending high-end public use work stations for depository libraries. Although these

recommended guidelines are only advisory in nature today, it is quite possible that they will

become requirements for depository libraries in the future.

What Depositories Can Do

Over the next few years, depositories should be able to offer users access to work stations

with a choice of a text-based or graphical user interface, CD-ROM capability, Internet

connections, and the ability to print or download extensive documents. We view Internet

connections as essential for future depository services. Internet dissemination is becoming the

de facto standard for many Federal information products, as well as supporting timely public

participation in the interactive processes of Government. GPO is moving quickly toward

using Internet as the principal channel of administrative communications with depositories.

Also, as you know, libraries throughout the nation are using Internet to develop arrangements

for electronic resource sharing.

Electronic information dissemination represents an opportunity for depository libraries to expand the quantity and quality of Federal information available to the public, but it is also a challenge for many libraries. I urge you to assess the electronic information delivery

capabilities of your library, and to take an active role in ensuring that your library has the

requisite resources to take its place in the Federal Depository Library Program of the future.

An Invitation to Discuss Issues

GPO, in cooperation with the American Library Association (ALA) Government Documents

Round Table, will present a special program for library directors on electronic information

3
AN~vl6-#02-l/15/95

initiatives at the upcoming ALA Midwinter Meeting in Philadelphia. I invite you to attend

this program Saturday, February 4, 1995, from 8:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. The location of

this session will be listed in the final ALA Conference schedule.

I also want to encourage you to consider establishing your library as a gateway to our online

services, or to partner with a public network in your area which would act as a gateway.

The direct involvement of a library's top management is essential to bring the resources

together for an institution to become a gateway. Please contact me at (202) 512-0571, or Mr. Jay Young, Director, Library Programs Service, at (202) 512-1114, to discuss the

gateway opportunity or any other matter concerning the FDLP.

Sincerely,

WAYNE P. KELLEY

Superintendent of Documents

GP0 Releases U.S. Code on 6P0 Access

The U.S. Code database is now available on GPO's WAIS Server. This important new

database joins the official Government versions of the Congressional Record, Congressional

Bills and the Federal Register that have been offered in electronic format over the Internet

through the GPO Access service since June 1994. The new database is available free to participating depository libraries and at no additional charge to all Congressional Bills

subscribers.

The United States Code is prepared and published by the Office of the Law Revision

Counsel, U.S. House of Representatives. It is the codification of the general and permanent

laws of the United States. The database contains the text of laws in effect as of January

1994; however, any section that has been affected by laws passed during the 2nd session of

the 103d Congress includes a note identifying the public law that affected that section.

Current subscribers using WAIS client software should create a new source file with the server address wais.access.gpo.gov, the database name uscode, and the internet port number

210. It has already been added to the menu for SWAIS users.

For additional information, contact the Access User Support Team on telephone: (202)

512-1530; fax: (202) 512-1262; or Internet e-mail: < help@eids05.eids.gpo.gov

4

W
AN-vl6-#02-l/15/95

Recommended Minimum Technical

Guidelines for Federal Depository Libraries

Revised January 1995

In order to assist depository libraries in remaining current with advances in personal

computer (PC) technology, the Library Programs Service (LPS) has once again revised the

"Recommended Minimum Technical Guidelines." This revision emphasizes the Windows

operating system and Internet capability, and is based in part on the findings of the Electronic

Capabilities Survey which LPS conducted in 1994. Libraries having equipment which meets

or exceeds these guidelines will be in a position to use the electronic products distributed

through the Federal Depository Library Program. In addition, these guidelines support the use of the GPO Access online services, as well as other Federal online information resources.

Although these are recommendations, rather than requirements, LPS strongly encourages

depositories to install microcomputer work stations that meet at least these minimum

standards. It is also recommended that these guidelines be applied to public work stations, as well as those intended for depository staff.

Minimum Workstation Configuration

Computer IBM-compatible 486DX2 computer operating at 66Mhz

8 or more megabytes (Mb) of RAM; expandable to 16 Mb or more

Both 3.5" high density and 5.25" high density

Memory

Floppy Disks

Hard Disk Drive 540 Mb capacity or higher; 15ms or less access time; IDE or SCSI

interface

Expansion

Display

CD-ROM Drive

Minimum of three free expansion bus board slots; 1 or more

additional hard drive bay(s) desirable; 2 serial and 1 parallel ports;

consider an available ZIF (zero insertion force) CPU upgrade

socket.

Super VGA (SVGA) compatible, 15" monitor with at least 70Mhz

vertical refresh rate at SVGA resolution (800X600) non-interlaced,

0.28 or smaller dot pitch; display card which supports 800X600

resolution at 70Mhz or faster. Consider a 19" high resolution

monitor to display 8.5" x 11" full page images.

Single or multiple platter drive compatible with ISO 9660 standard;

consider the multi-media supporting standards. (300 K/byte per

second transfer rate, double speed support, CD-ROM XA support,

include a 16 bit sound board for PC; Ad-Lib or Sound Blaster

compatible)

5
AN-vl6-#02-l/15/95

Printer

Pointing Device

Modem

Network

Connection

Software

Operating System

Database

Spreadsheet

Word

Processing

Communications

Client Software

Viewers

24 pin dot matrix; Epson or IBM Proprinter emulation compatible.

Consider purchase of low cost color dot matrix printers for multimedia output or laser printers for high resolution graphics (HP

compatible).

Microsoft-compatible mouse or similar pointing device to support

programs and Microsoft Windows.

14.4 kbps, meeting V.32, V.42, V.42bis or MNP 5 standards and

compatible with Hayes "AT" command set.

SLIP/PPP Internet connection, with FTP (File Transfer Protocol)

capability.

Microsoft Windows 3.1 or later (requires MS-DOS 3.3 or higher);

Device driver for CD-ROM drive and MS-DOS CD-ROM

extensions.

dBASE file format compatible or dBASE and ASCII comma

delimited file importing database management software; useful to have fixed field format (SDF) import ability.

Lotus .WK1 file format compatible software; support for other

popular formats such as Excel and Quattro Pro.

Software capable of importing major text file formats (Ami Pro,

WordPerfect, Microsoft Word, Multimate, etc.) and ASCII text

files.

Software package which offers "script" files to automate log-on

procedures; and supports XMODEM, YMODEM, ZMODEM, and

Kermit file transfer protocols; several terminal emulations such as ANSI-BBS, TTY, VT-100; and capable of up to 19200 bps transfer

speeds; supports Hayes "AT" compatible modems; manages telnet

sessions.

WAIS client (EINet WinWais customized for GPO Access

recommended), and a World Wide Web browser.

Adobe Acrobat PDF file viewer.

6
AN-vl6-#02-l/15/95

Costs

The cost section is being eliminated from this revision. Cost information is readily

available, and subject to rapid change and local market conditions. The ranges offered in the

previous "Guidelines" were too wide to support accurate planning and budgeting.

Rationale

The above configuration provides ample resources to handle multiple software and CDROM retrieval packages, yet is available at a reasonable cost. Current 486DX2 prices are only slightly higher than the 486SX. The ability to run 32 bit specific software in a graphical

environment is desirable. Selection of the high end options mentioned in these guidelines will

help to delay the onset of obsolescence. The available system memory can be better utilized

by a variety of software. The software recommendations should permit the use of most

anticipated government produced products. Microsoft Windows 3.1 software is also easily

supported by this configuration.

While this configuration should prove satisfactory, LPS encourages the purchase of a

configuration superior to this if affordable. The speed at which the computer industry

changes dictates that flexibility is a desirable quality in any hardware and software purchases.

Systems which are more than adequate today are obsolete tomorrow.

ERIC Microfiche Distribution to Resume in March 1995

The Library Programs Service (LPS) has not received ERIC publications (SuDocs class

ED 1.310/2:, item 0466-A-03) for conversion to microfiche since the fall of 1992. Other

publications from the Educational Research and Improvement Office have been acquired and

distributed. In January 1995, LPS will begin receiving second generation silver reproducible

microfiche from ERIC for duplication and distribution to depository libraries. LPS expects

resumption of distribution of ERIC publications by March 1995.
AN-vl6-#02-l/15/95

New Publications Survey Distributed

The Library Programs Service (LPS) has issued survey 94-001 to determine the item

count for depository distribution of new publications. LPS sent the survey to depository

libraries via first class mail under shipping list number 94-0343-P, dated December 27, 1994.

(This shipping list number was generated solely for use with this survey.) The survey is due

back in LPS by January 27, 1995.

This is the second time LPS has conducted a survey using fax transmission. The first,

survey 93-002, was sent to libraries via fax (see Administrative Notes, v. 14, #23, Nov. 15,

1993). Survey 94-001 was sent by mail in order to dedicate the terminal containing the fax

software to receiving the returned forms.

Surveys 93-002 and 94-001 share the following features:

• Each item should be marked, whether for selection or non-selection. (Previously,

libraries marked only those items they wished to select.)

• The title, as well as the item number, is shown on the response form for each

publication.

• The machine-readable survey response form must be faxed back to LPS. Responses

will be automatically tabulated through the use of special software.

LPS asks for your patience and constructive comments as we work on improving the

survey process.

Please return survey forms to this fax number only: (202) 512-1625. Use of any other

fax number will result in delays and possible non-tabulation of your selections.

Free Subscriptions to STAT USA Available to Depositories

Commerce Department's Online Service Consolidates Data

Registration forms for STAT-USA were distributed to depository libraries in the regular

shipment boxes for the week ending 12/16/94. STAT-USA is available on the Internet. Federal depository libraries are eligible for a free subscription to this new service from the

Economics and Statistics Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce. STAT-USA

focuses on economic, financial, and trade data. Familiar resources now available through

STAT-USA include Market Research Reports, Guides to Doing Business in Foreign

Countries, and U.S. Export Regulations.

Registration for this new online service is available to all depository libraries. The

registration form must be faxed to LPS staff at (202) 512-1636. We encourage all libraries

8
AN-vl6-#02-l/15/95

to take advantage of this opportunity provided by the Department of Commerce, Economics

and Statistics Administration to have current business information in the most timely manner.

Federal Depository Library STAT-USA Internet Account Validation Form

This account will provide you with Internet access to STAT-USA' s collection of business and

economic information, including the National Trade Data Bank and the National Economic,

Social, and Environmental Data Bank.

Please complete the entire form and return it by fax to 202-512-1636.

Depository Number:

Depository Name:

Library Address:

Depository Librarian's Name:

Phone Number: Internet Email Address:

User Support Contact Name (if different from above):

Phone Number: Internet Email Address:

This account will provide you access to both STAT-USA' s subscription-only World Wide

Web Servers.

Your account is good for a single workstation. This site is to be used for free public access under the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP). It is against STAT-USA policy to give out your account number or password to another organization or individual. Also, you

may not allow organizations outside your library to connect to STAT-USA using your

account and password via your library's computer network; a public access workstation in an FDL is permissible. Any violation of these terms will result in the termination of your

account with STAT-USA. If you agree to these terms, please sign below.

Library Director's Signature:

This form will be used to validate your STAT-USA account and update your selection

records.

Thank you for taking the time to complete this form.

9
AN-vl6-#02-l/15/95

United States Department of Commerce

"Information for the 21st Century"

The Economics and Statistics Administration of the U.S. Department of

Commerce is pleased to introduce STAT-USA* ~ the comprehensive

information service providing economic, business, and social/environmental

program data produced by more than 50 Federal sources. An immediate

response to Vice President Gore's call for an Information Superhighway, it already delivers hundreds of thousands of Federal publications and statistical reports to U.S. businesses and the public.

THE FIRST STAGE: The first stage of STAT-USA focuses on economic, financial, and trade data.

This includes worldwide listings of businesses interested in buying U.S.

products, analyses of export opportunities in specific industries and countries,

tens of thousands of research reports, labor statistics, and price indexes.

These reports are of immediate use to a broad cross section of the business

and professional community, including:

• American businesses,

• economic and business analysts,

• educational institutions at every level,

• exporters and trade specialists,

• financial analysts,

• government economic policymakers, and

• state, local, and private economic development authorities

In the near future, STAT-USA will add many more reports on the economy

and trade, and on a broad spectrum of domestic programs. Coverage will include demographic and social statistics, Government procurement

opportunities, calendars of events, news releases, Federal rules and

regulations, economic and business conditions in specific U.S. localities,

Federal trade laws, health care and welfare proposals and legislation ... and

much more.

* STAT-USA is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Commerce,

Economics and Statistics Administration.

COMING

ATTRACTIONS:

10
AN-vl6-#02-l/15/95

ACCESSING STAT-USA is open to all on the Internet: STAT-USA:

WWW: www.stat-usa.gov

Gopher: gopher.stat-usa.gov

FTP: ftp.stat-usa.gov

CONTACTS: Call STAT-USA (formerly the Office of Business Analysis) for more

information on this service, the National Trade Data Bank on CD-ROM,

and our other electronic information products. Our Help Line number is 202-482-1986. For TDD access, dial 202-482-1526. Our fax number is 202-482-2164.

STAT-USA Agricultural Commodity Production and Trade

AT A GLANCE: Basic Export Information

Country Reports on Economic and Social Policies and Trade Practices

Energy Production, Supply, and Inventories

Exchange Rates

Export Licensing Information

Guides to Doing Business in Foreign Countries/ How-to Guides

Interest Rates

International Trade Regulations and International Trade Agreements

Market Research Reports

Overseas and Domestic Industry Information

Price Indexes

State Exports

State Trade Contacts

Trade Opportunities

U.S. Export Regulations

U.S. Import and Export Statistics by Country and Commodity

U.S. International Transactions

U.S. National Economic Accounts

The complete contents of STAT-USA includes hundreds of books,

magazines, reports, and major databases. The topics above give a

general idea of the breadth of information available. STAT-USA is growing every day as information of interest to you becomes available.

n
AN-vl6-#02-l/15/95

A Short Guide to Using PayPerNet

[The following guide was supplied by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.]

What It Is:

The PayPerNet is a public Bulletin Board System (BBS) operated by the U.S. Office of

Personnel Management. It provides information relating to: Title 5 Special Rates, Position

Classification, Pay Administration, Total Quality Management (TQM), Employee and Labor

Relations, Senior Executive Service (SES), Federal Employees Pay Comparability Act of

1990 (FEPCA), Federal Wage System, and issuances on Federal personnel processing to Federal agencies and individuals nationwide. There are no subscription costs to use this

system other than incurred long-distance telephone charges.

The BBS is organized as a Main Board with conferences. A conference is a special segment

of the BBS which is dedicated to a specific program area. Conferences contain their own

messages, news items, files, and bulletins for users interested in the specific program areas. They also permit users to exchange messages on a specific topic and to share information that

would not be of primary interest to other users. PayperNet offers eleven public conferences:

1 . Special Rates Information (SRTIS)

2. Utilities (UTILTY)

3. Total Quality Management (QUALNET)

4. Classification (CLASSIF)

5. Pay Administration (PAYAD)

6. Performance Management (PERFMANA)

7. Employee and Labor Relations (LABORREL)

8. Senior Executive Service (SES)

9. Federal Employees Pay Comparability (FEPCA)

10. Personnel Records Processing & Management (PERSRCDS)

1 1 . Federal Wage System (WAGESYS)

What It Does:

It enables users (via four nodes) to exchange messages, download and/or upload files, view

bulletins and news files, etc. over regular telephone lines. The BBS has a 4-line rotating

capability which handles four callers simultaneously. The system accommodates modem

transmissions from 1200 to 9600 baud.

All users are given 30 minutes per call when they register. On joining a conference, users

are given an additional 30 minutes for a total time of 1 hour per day. Users will be

disconnected after that time is exhausted and will not be able to call back until the next day.

The BBS will disconnect any user after 4 minutes of inactivity. There is a warning given

after three minutes of inactivity; users are then disconnected after another inactive minute.

12
AN-vl6-#02-l/15/95

What It Contains:

• SRTIS Conference - information about Title V Special Rates program, reports of

Title V Special Rates authorizations, and individual salary tables for Title V Special

Rates authorizations

• UTILTY Conference - shareware computer programs for bulletin board users

• QUALNET Conference - information on Total Quality Management (TQM) issues

• CLASSIF Conference - information on new developments in position classification,

selected draft and final standards, IAG classification committee minutes, and

significant classification decisions and opinions

• PAYAD Conference - salary tables for the General Schedule and Senior Executive

Service; adjusted 8% General Schedule; and GS and SES Law Enforcement Officers

in the 4%, 8% and 16% special pay adjustment areas; locality pay schedules and

geographic locations; other pay and compensation issues

• PERFMANA Conference - information and guidance on performance management,

PMRS developments, performance appraisals, incentive awards and other performance

management issues

• LABORREL Conference - assistance to agency employee and labor relations

programs and up-to-date information on Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB),

Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA), and employee relations court decisions;

judicial review status reports; and other labor relations issues

• SES Conference - information on Senior Executive Service job opportunities and

development programs

• FEPCA Conference - information on pay issues and initiatives relating to the Federal

Employees Pay Comparability Act of 1990

• PERSRCDS Conference - provide operating personnel offices FPM Letter and

Bulletins on matters related to guidance in FPM Supplements 293-31, Basic Personnel

Records and Files System and 296-33, The Guide to Processing Personnel Actions.

• WAGESYS Conference - guidance and information on the Federal Wage System and

Federal Wage Schedules

Equipment Required:

• Personal computer, word processor, or data terminal capable of asynchronous

communications

13
AN-vl6-#02- 1/15/95

• Telephone modem at 1200, 2400 or 9600 baud rate

• Asynchronous communications software (parameters set to full duplex (F), no parity

(N), 8 data bits (8), and 1 stop bit (1)

• Regular phone line

How To Access And Use It:

• Using your telecommunications software package, dial 202-606-2675.

• When connection is made, type in your name and complete the online registration

process for new users.

• After registration, the Main Board news screen will appear followed by the main

menu.

• To join a program area conference, select J from the menu and press enter. Then

select the appropriate conference number. When you join a specific conference area, a short listing of important news for that area will be displayed. After the news

information the main menu will appear again; however, the prompt will indicate you

are in the conference area you selected.

• The system contains four main sections that you can access:

1. NEWS - information on recent developments, short items of interest, conference

file updates, etc., that all users see immediately after they sign onto the system

and when they join a conference.

2. BULLETINS - general conference and file information. Users can get a list of

subjects by selecting bulletin listing from the menu. All bulletins can be read online.

3. MESSAGES - users can ask questions, or post messages and receive responses

within each conference area.

4. FILES - text files or programs that users can copy to their own personal

computer (download).

• To download a file, select D (Download a File) or DB (Batch Download), then type

the filename and select a protocol type. We recommend using one of the Xmodem

protocols for single file downloads and the Ymodem or Zmodem for multiple file downloads.

NOTE: After you select a file or files for downloading, you must initiate the beginning

of a file transfer. You must signal your communications software to begin accepting the

file transfer. If you are using PROCOMM you must press the "Page Down" key to

14
AN-vl6-#02-l/15/95

begin the downloading process. For other communications programs you will need to consult your software manual for instructions on how to initiate downloading.

• To exit a conference select A (Abandon Conference) from the menu and press the

enter key. If you select G (Goodbye) within a conference area, you will automatically

re-join the same conference when you logon again. (You will by-pass the Main Board

area.)

15
AN-vl6-#02- 1/15/95

Readers Exchange

Contact Your Congressperson

Regionalisms

by Julie Wallace, Regional Librarian, Government Publications Library (GPL),

University of Minnesota

Regardless of our sentiments about the election results, every depository librarian has a

task ahead right now, and it may be more important than ever. It is essential that every

member of Congress (returning or new) hears NOW from the depository libraries in his [or

her] district. The interim before they head for Washington is a good time to make those

contacts, and especially to invite them and their local staff to visit. Even if you can't get the

member himself to visit, see if someone from the staff wouldn't like to come for a tour of

your collections and a sampling of the electronic resources you can provide. Since local staff are responsible for constituent work, they are often asked for information which can be found

in depositories. They need to know how to make good referrals to you, and the good will can be enormously important.

As Congress seeks new and deeper cuts in all budgets, they need to be reminded of the

responsibility they have to keep their constituents informed, and the role the depository

program plays in that. By far the most impact is made when you can tell them about

practical uses which benefit voters in the district—businesses which find useful contract leads

and marketing information, hospitals which find regulations and research reports, faculty

members who check on grant opportunities and trace legislative history, and of course

citizens who can study the workings of government.

Remind your contacts of the importance of unrestricted and cost-free access for all citizens. New toys like government World Wide Web servers are nice, but will not help

most citizens, who do not have the necessary computers at home. The libraries still must get

information from the government in a coordinated manner (like the depository program).

Those libraries are then in a position to work with Congress to keep the citizens informed.

The partnership between Congress, local staff, and libraries is a good "hook" for your

contact.

It may be useful for libraries in the same district to make these contacts together, or at least to mention the other depositories in correspondence. Once you have contacted your

representative, modify your letter a bit and send it to the senators too. [Some senators] will

be anxious to cut budgets, so [they] need to know that government information is worth

funding.... I urge all depositories to make some sort of contact. Library directors should be

involved—they may want to guide a tour of the whole library, or sign a letter. The

depository designation is a good excuse for contact with a legislative office, so help your

administration make the most of it.

[Reprinted from Doc Soup (Minneapolis, MN: Government Documents Round Table, Minnesota

Library Association) vol. 13, no. 3, 12/94. Slightly edited to remove local references.]

16
AN-vl6-#02-l/15/95

New Books Catalog Has New Title and New Logo

Over the past year the Superintendent of Documents Office of Marketing has revised the

logos that appear on promotional materials. The revised logos are intended to communicate

the fact that an increasing number of products in the Sales Program are electronic.

The catalog formerly called New Books has a new title: United States Government

Information. It also has a new logo, reproduced below, which first appeared on the August

1994 issue.

*

s. Gove"""

Publications, periodicals and electronic information products for sale

If you have any questions about catalogs, please call Vicki Rhone or Kathryn McConnell

in the Office of Marketing: (202) 512-1710.

17
vl6-#02-l/15/95

Table of Contents

SuDocs Letter: Electronic Future 1 GPO Releases U.S. Code on GPO Access 4

Recommended Minimum Technical Guidelines for Federal

Depository Libraries 5

ERIC Microfiche Distribution to Resume in March 1995 7

New Publications Survey Distributed 8

Free Subscriptions to STAT-USA Available to Depositories 8

A Short Guide to Using PayPerNet 12

Readers Exchange: Contact Your Congressperson 16

New Books Catalog Has New Title and New Logo 17

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, SLL

Washington, D.C. 20401

Editor: Marian W. MacGilvray (202) 512-1130

IS