For example, in addition to the direct value of the information presented to Marylanders in each edition, the Manual has been used overseas to illustrate the nature of Maryland government. In April 1994, Clarke R. Williams, a budget analyst with the Department of Budget and Fiscal Planning was chosen for a technical assistance mission to the Union of South Africa. There, the United States Agency for International Development sponsored management training for South African state and local government officials. During this two-week program, Mr. Williams helped explain the executive budget process. He distributed Maryland Manuals to the participants so they could relate the functions of government to fiscal administration.
Information is a public resource.
But information created today and stored in electronic formats is highly fragile. We need to pay close attention to how it is maintained and managed, and provide for its conservation and preservation. This applies not only to daily information processing but to those records of government which have historical, legal, fiscal, administrative or other archival values. We need to ensure that permanently valuable records, including electronic records, are preserved and made accessible. If that information is to survive beyond this century to become the resource upon which future generations will draw we need to act now and allocate funds wisely for this purpose.