Council recommends that in instances where GPO has input into the level and quality of software that accompanies electronic products and services that this or similar level software be used. We appreciate the Council's enthusiastic response to the prototype of the online Congressional Record . The prototype which was demonstrated to the Council represents the quality of software that GPO intends to procure for the System of Access. In particular, Council is interested in ensuring that results from the Connectivity of Depository Libraries initiative that is part of APIP help provide the answers necessary to determine the feasibility of electronic depositories. CNI will keep GPO informed concerning any future developments.
Council recommends a moratorium on the establishment of new depository libraries.
The power to designate depository libraries is vested solely in members of Congress and in various specifically named territorial officials. Because the Public Printer has no authority to accept or reject these designations, unless the members or officials designate more libraries than 44 U.S.C. 1905 allows them to designate, the Public Printer can impose no moratorium. Minimum technical requirements for existing depository libraries should be developed. In addition, it is the opinion of Council that libraries should be given a reasonable amount of time to meet these requirements. Failure to comply with these requirements after a reasonable period of time has passed should be treated as non-compliance, and a major infraction of the rules for depository libraries.