The original optical disk system is migrating to a new platform and ODS now stands for Official Documents System. She noted the tremendous infrastructure problems in many countries which makes delivery of the information from UN duty stations in those countries difficult. They are trying to input documents all the way back to 1946. Ms. Loytved distributed a memo that informs depositories that they may now have free access to the ODS if they choose to substitute ODS access for hard copy distribution of their entitlements beginning January 1, 2001. Better general access and IP access are still needed for the database.
Parliamentary material is in the public domain, but sales material is copyrighted.
She is unaware of any plan to place sales publications online. Subscribers need to know, however, that the file goes back only six years. Depositories seeking free access will need to decide if a six-year file is adequate. She is also trying to communicate increasingly with depositories and to create some guides. Mary requested that she consider sharing information with standing order libraries as well since we are often just as interested in receiving the information.