Currently, only the Congressional Record and Indexes are the only in-house printing done at GPO, and Congress is not prepared at this time to relinquish printing of these titles. FDLP plays a constitutional role in public dissemination of government information. Congress is sensitive to the impact and costs associated with the electronic transition. There should not simply be a shift of costs to libraries and the public. A key issue is determining the appropriate costs for the federal government.
Librarians play a critical role in the public policy arena.
Librarians should seize every opportunity to actively advocate for libraries and public access to government information. Point noted for further consideration. Underlying work of government employees published as government publications vs. proposal to offer manuscripts to a university press for peer review. The advisory councils included in this draft bill were specifically included to point out that the law applies to all three branches of government. The language is meant to be discretionary not exclusive.