This morning I would like to give a brief overview on Depository Distribution statistics for fiscal year 1992. I will also review what our accomplishments were, where we feel the problem areas are, and what we have proposed for future consideration to improve services.

Overall our FY 1992 statistics indicate that FY 92 was a record year as 29.7 million copies of 75,000 different titles were distributed. This makes FY 92 the third consecutive year in which there was a significant increase in the number of titles and copies distributed. In addition, approximately 600,000 maps and 1.8 million microfiche were distributed under interagency agreements established with the U.S. Geological Survey and the Department of Energy.

On the subject of microfiche, I am happy to report that we are now in the process of distributing the remaining 125 microfiche shipments in the current backlog and by the close of business on Friday of this week, microfiche shipments will be completely caught up. Notices on this project to eliminate the microfiche shipment backlog were mailed to you.

I know that many of you are concerned about claims. We are currently in the process of eliminating the paper claims backlog. The backlog has been reduced from over 10,000 to fewer than 2,000 claims. The total number of claims received as a percentage of the total number of copies distributed is 0.22 percent. This finding suggests that Depository Distribution Division personnel distributed the publications to libraries correctly in excess of 99.0% of the time.

The Mail Manifest System was fully implemented in May, 1991, and postage savings to date are estimated at $500,000. The system creates an itemized listing of parcels being shipped, together with charges. This allows the operator to choose the least expensive method of shipping each parcel. These lists are supplied to UPS or the Postal Service. After a 90-day trial period to determine if U.S. Postal Service specifications were being met, the Library Programs Service received authorization and certification from USPS to utilize the system.

Significant progress was also made on the Lighted Bin System enhancements. Enhancements to the systems software that allows a supervisor or zone operator to verify the proper operation of the electronics and zone bin light wiring at any time have been completed. This operation, worked by an operator or supervisor at the VDT on a daily basis, has greatly reduced the time it takes to detect malfunctioning hardware.

The following proposals are under consideration for future implementation:

Now it's my pleasure to introduce Laurie Hall. Laurie came to GPO in 1985 as a cataloger. Since her arrival, Laurie has served as supervisor of a cataloging section and as Chief of the Cataloging Branch. Laurie is currently involved in systems support for the automated ACSIS system, coordinating implementation and staff training.