F e d e r a l    D e p o s i t o r y    L i b r a r y    P r o g r a m

Public Printer Names Five to Depository Library Council

Public Printer Michael F. DiMario has named five new members to the Depository Library Council to the Public Printer. The newly appointed members are: Linda Fredericks, Government and Legal Librarian, King County Library System, Bellevue, WA; Robert A. Hinton, Assistant Librarian, Reference and Research Team/Government Documents, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN; Sharon Hogan, University Librarian, the University Library, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL; Mary Redmond, Principal Librarian, Collection Acquisition and Processing, New York State Library, Albany, NY; and Andrea Sevetson, Head, Government Information, Government & Social Science Information Service, University of California, Berkeley, CA. The newly appointed members will be introduced to the Council activities and procedures at the fall 1999 meeting in Kansas City, MO, to be held October 18-21.

Special Offer Available to Depositories

A Special Offer will begin April 15, 1999 for two products previously distributed through the FDLP:

• The Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774-1989, Bicentennial Edition, Senate Document 100-34

• Binders for the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

Please check the condition of your library’s volume and respond to the special offer located at <www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/dpos/spec99-1.html> by April 30, 1999.

LPS will distribute the material on a first come, first serve basis. When the copies are exhausted, a notice will be posted on askLPS FAQs & News and on the online discussion lists.

Survey 99-001

Survey 99-001 will run from April 15, 1999 to April 30, 1999. This is an online only survey. The product information and survey form are located at <www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/dpos/surv99-1.html>

Two products will be surveyed:

• EPA’s Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention Office (CEPPO), has created Risk Management Program, Version 1.0.6. This is a free software package for facilities to use in submitting Risk Management Plans (RMP). It consists of a set of four diskettes that must be downloaded to the library’s hard drive. Users must also temporarily store the material on the library’s hard drive.

• The USGS Biological Resources Division Gap Analysis Program (GAP) is the primary Federal program for mapping and assessing the status of biodiversity in the U.S. Data for each state will appear on 1 to 4 CDs depending on the size of the state and data complexity. The product information and survey form are located at <www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/dpos/surv99-1.html>.

All libraries, including regional libraries, must respond to the survey by April 30, 1999. If you are unable to respond to the survey online, please contact Robin Haun-Mohamed at (202) 512-1071, fax: (202) 512-1636, e-mail: <rhaun-mohamed@gpo.gov>.

SuDocs Letter: Destroy Dept. of Justice Document

March 11, 1999

Dear Depository Librarian:

The Library Programs Service (LPS) was recently apprised by the Office of Legal Education, Department of Justice that Courtroom Evidence, September 1998, was not intended for public release. The publication contains copyrighted material from commercial publications and the agency did not secure copyright release for distribution of the publication outside the Department of Justice.

Descriptive information on the publication:

I am requesting that you immediately withdraw the publication and destroy it by any means that will prevent disclosure of its contents. Thank you for your cooperation and prompt attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

FRANCIS J. BUCKLEY, JR.
Superintendent of Documents

March 15, 1999

Dear Depository Librarian:

The Library Programs Service (LPS) was recently apprised by the U.S. Census Bureau that the Field Operations Manual, 1998 should not have been distributed to depository libraries. The Census Bureau has advised us that the publication was for internal use only.

Descriptive information on the publication:

I am requesting that you immediately withdraw the publication and destroy it by any means that will prevent disclosure of its contents. Thank you for your cooperation and prompt attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

FRANCIS J. BUCKLEY, JR.
Superintendent of Documents

[Handout]

Cataloging Branch Update
Spring 1999 Depository Library Council Meeting

The transition to a more electronic Federal Depository Library Program has produced a complex assortment of interrelated works in all media. During the first five months of Fiscal Year 1999, approximately 10,000 works in various media were received for cataloging. Approximately 11,000 of these works were processed, leaving a balance of approximately 10,000 works, mostly serials, to be processed. We are investigating the feasibility of a contract to procure commercial serials cataloging services to assist in reducing this backlog.

Most works in paper and CD-ROM and those available via the Internet are cataloged within one or two weeks of receipt. A backlog of approximately 300 Browse Electronic Titles (BET) entries remain to be cataloged. Most of the backlog in BET and microfiche consists of serials.

A recently advertised vacancy for a serials cataloger closed on March 19^th. This position was announced on GOVDOC-L, CONSER, and SERIALs discussions lists and on Web sites maintained by the Office of Personnel Management and the Government Printing Office. When hired, the incumbent’s efforts will focus on cataloging Internet related serials.

During March, 1999, a new policy concerning the display of PURLs and URLs in Monthly Catalog records went into effect. This policy requires use of one subfield "u" per 856 field for recording a PURL. This policy also stipulates that, when re-establishing links to records that had been accessible via a URL, the URL that was in effect at the time the PURL was assigned is to be recorded either in the 530 field (multiple format record) or the 538 field (electronic only record). As with other Internet related cataloging policies, we expect to make this policy available for review at our Web site.

We have based this policy on consultation with members of the American Library Association’s Government Documents Round Table (GODORT) Cataloging Committee, members of the Cataloging and Locator Services Committee of the Depository Library Council, and with Jean Hirons, CONSER Coordinator, Library of Congress. We appreciate the advice of distinguished colleagues and expect that the application of this policy will assist people in identifying appropriate access-related data elements in GPO produced Monthly Catalog records.

As members of the Federal Library and Information Center Committee (FLICC), we are actively involved in FLICC-sponsored efforts to investigate the potential that OCLC’s CORC (Cooperative Online Resource Cataloging) project may have for providing access to works published via the Internet. At present, CORC is a research project launched by OCLC staff to investigate the feasibility of producing brief bibliographic records to provide access to Internet related titles. OCLC personnel have advised us that OCLC has extracted data from several thousand GPO produced OCLC records to "seed" the CORC database. We look forward to continued involvement with CORC, especially as it may assist us in identifying opportunities to improve the scope or timeliness of our cataloging and locator services.

The Web edition of the Catalog consists of approximately 115,900 records. Approximately 8,500 of these records contain PURLs and/or URLs. At present, approximately 2,500 Monthly Catalog records contain PURLs. Approximately 6,000 additional older Monthly Catalog records contain URLs. As broken links in records with URLs are re-established, these works are made accessible via PURLs.

The Library Programs Service is devoting increasing amounts of time to restoring electronic access to electronic works. When our PURLs checking routines identify a broken link in a bibliographic record with a PURL, we restore access by updating the PURL lookup table on the GPO PURL server with the active URL. Maintaining access through PURLs resolver software is intended to eliminate the need for most librarians to maintain access by updating address data in GPO produced records in their OPACs.

Preliminary pages to the paper edition of the Monthly Catalog are being revised and are expected to appear in the April 1999 issue. The complete CD-ROM edition of the Monthly Catalog, which consists of two CDs, contains approximately 55,000 records. The combined 1996 and 1997 CD-ROM (with their respective Periodicals Supplements) should be retained for the near future. We expect that the January 1999 issue of the CD-ROM Monthly Catalog edition, which will include all records for 1998 and 1999 to date, will contain the Periodicals Supplements for 1998 and 1999.

A contract for producing the CD-ROM edition was recently re-awarded to American Multimedia, of Burlington, NC. New contract specifications requiring the contractor to receive information for jewel case inserts via electronic means should assist in more rapid product availability than is presently possible.

We expect to have published the 1999 paper edition of the Periodicals Supplement in March 1999.

We estimate that the Congressional Serial Set Catalog for the 103d Congress will be published sometime during the summer of 1999. Approximately 1,200 records are expected to be included in the Serial Set Catalog.

Depository Administration Branch Update
Spring 1999 Depository Library Council Meeting

A Special Offer will begin April 15, 1999 for two products previously distributed through the FDLP:

• The Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774-1989, Bicentennial Edition, Senate Document 100-34

• Binders for the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

Please check the condition of your library’s volume and respond to the special offer located at <www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/dpos/spec99-1.html> by April 30, 1999.

Survey 99-001 will also run from April 15 through April 30, 1999. Two products will be surveyed:

• EPA’s Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention Office (CEPPO), has created Risk Management Program, Version 1.0.6. This is a free software package for facilities to use in submitting Risk Management Plans (RMP). It consists of a set of four diskettes that must be downloaded to the library’s hard drive. Users must also temporarily store the material on the library’s hard drive.

• The USGS Biological Resources Division Gap Analysis Program (GAP) is the primary Federal program for mapping and assessing the status of biodiversity in the U.S. Data for each state will appear on 1 to 4 CDs depending on the size of the state and data complexity. The product information and survey form are located at <www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/dpos/surv99-1.html>.

Recent discussions with the Central Intelligence Agency have proved beneficial for the FDLP. The Handbook of International Economic Statistics (PREX 3.16:, Item 0856-A-09 ) will be distributed to libraries this spring in paper format. LPS will also be distributing publications from the Center for the Study of Intelligence in microfiche format. One example is the CIA and the Vietnam Policymakers: Three Episodes, 1962- 1968.

Libraries will also begin to see some older FBIS material arrive in microfiche format under PREX 7.10:, Items 0856-B-03 through 0856-B-10. These are missing issues that were provided by depository librarians to fill in gaps in this historical series.

Software for the FBIS CD-ROM (PREX 7.10/3:, Item 0856-A-11) will change from DataWare to Folio effective with the Jan-March 1999 issue. At that time, FBIS will no longer provide support for a Macintosh platform to access the FBIS on CD-ROM.

O*NET, The Occupational Information Network, 1998, was distributed to libraries on Shipping List 99-0013-S, dated December 30, 1998. It was originally distributed under 0744-G-04, the item number for miscellaneous electronic products for the Department of Labor. This distribution missed many libraries that currently select the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT), which O*NET replaces. Therefore O*NET will be re-distributed to those libraries selecting 0780-A-01. This distribution will include the CD-ROM, the Data Dictionary, and the User’s Guide.

NTIS provided copies of the 1999 U.S. Industry & Trade Outlook. It was distributed to libraries under SuDocs C 61.48:999, Item 0215-L-08, on Shipping List 99-0020-S dated March 1, 1999.

The List of Classes (Item 0556-C, GP 3.24:) will change frequency from quarterly to twice yearly, effective with the April 1999 issue, not the March issue as previously reported. Beginning with this next issue only one copy of the List of Classes will be distributed to each library. The online List of Classes is updated on the first Friday of each month. The Federal Bulletin Board (FBB) file is located at <http://fedbbs.access.gpo.gov/libs/class.htm>. The Documents Data Miner, which provides Web-based data mining of files available from GPO’s FBB site, including the List of Classes, the Item Lister, the Federal Depository Library Directory, the Government Authors file, and the Inactive and Discontinued Items file, may be found at <http://kronos.nia.twsu.edu/govdocs>.

LPS continues to experience problems with obtaining National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA) maps for distribution to depository libraries. The NIMA Map Survey last fall provided LPS with current information on map depositories. Libraries responded to the survey promptly, and LPS was able to update this information for the first time in many years. The original plan as discussed with NIMA and NIMA’s distribution agent, Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), was to send material to GPO for distribution via the LPS Distribution Division. LPS now has some of these maps but in insufficient quantities for full distribution. LPS continues to work with NIMA and DLA staff to ensure that NIMA maps will be distributed to the depository libraries.

DAB staff work with other members of the Electronic Collection Team on a daily basis to identify and locate new online resources that fall within the scope of the FDLP. Since January 1, 1999, 205 entries have been added to the "What’s New" weekly listing of Browse Electronic Titles.

[Handout]

Depository Services Update
Spring 1999 Depository Library Council Meeting

On July 22, 1999, GPO will host a one-day workshop immediately following the 92nd annual meeting of the American Association of Law Libraries (AALL) being held in Washington, DC. Law librarians should consult their Preliminary Program for registration information. On July 18, the Superintendent of Documents and the Director, Library Programs Service will provide a GPO Update at the Government Documents Special Interest Section. Each of the Depository Library Inspectors will speak at other programs.

The fall Depository Library Council meeting will be held from Monday, October 18 through Thursday morning, October 21, 1999. The Radisson Suite Hotel, 106 West 12th Street, in downtown Kansas City, MO, is the site.

The spring 2000 Depository Library Council meeting will be held in Rhode Island. The contract for the hotel has not been awarded yet. Locations under consideration include Providence, Newport, and Warwick.

The 9th annual Federal Depository Conference and fall Depository Library Council to the Public Printer meeting will be held from Monday, October 23 through Wednesday afternoon October 25, 2000. The Regional librarians will meet on Sunday, October 22. The Holiday Inn-Rosslyn Westpark, 1900 North Fort Myer Drive, Arlington, VA, is the conference hotel.

Self-Studies

A group of volunteers, including a member of the Depository Library Council, regional librarians, selectives, a selective housing site, and Depository Services Staff are reviewing the draft of a revised Self-Study of a Federal Depository Library. The revised Self-Study will be available by summer 1999.

In October 1999, depository librarians and their directors whose depository operations were last inspected in 1994 will be notified to submit a mandatory self-study. The states include Arkansas, California, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. The due date for these self-studies will be January 15, 2000. These depository librarians will use the new Self-Study template.

The Findings of the 1997 Biennial Survey was shipped to all depositories on shipping list 99-0172-P, dated 3/18/99, SuDocs class number GP 3.33/4:997, item number 0556-C. Since April 1998, the raw data files, including the survey text, data conversion table, and the responses in comma-delimited format, have been available from the Federal Bulletin Board at <http://fedbbs.access.gpo.gov/libs/lps_info.htm>.

The Statistical Measurement Committee of the Depository Library Council and Depository Services Staff have prepared questions for the 1999 Biennial Survey of Depository Libraries. The survey will include optional questions to elicit basic cost data of being a depository, e.g., salaries, equipment, etc. So that depository staff may begin gathering figures for the optional cost questions, the text of the Biennial Survey will appear in the May 15, 1999 Administrative Notes. Submission of the Biennial Survey answers via the WWW will occur in fall 1999. Release of the raw data files and the Findings of the 1999 Biennial Survey will occur in 2000.

The draft "Recommended Specifications for Public Access Work Stations in Federal Depository Libraries" have been posted on GOVDOC-L, MAPS-L, and LAWLIB and are available at this meeting. The comment period extends until May 5. The final 1999 specifications will appear in the June 15, 1999 Administrative Notes.

The February 1999 edition of the Federal Depository Library Directory was distributed to all depositories on shipping list 99-0173-P, dated 3/19/99, SuDocs class number GP 3.36/2:999, item number 0556-C.

A new field, to accept the URL of a depository library’s Web page, has been added to the Library Directory module at <www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/dpos/ldirect.html>. The URL should be specific to a "Government information" component, not to the main page of a college or a general library page. While the links to the URLs are checked monthly before the data is loaded to the Federal Bulletin Board and the "Locate Libraries" Web page, depository librarians should review their Library Directory entry regularly and advise GPO of any changes no matter how small.

As of March 22, 1999, there are 1,351 Federal depository libraries, including 53 regionals and 1,298 selectives.

Electronic Transition Staff Update
Spring 1999 Depository Library Council Meeting

After Managing the FDLP Electronic Collection: A Policy and Planning Document (the "collection plan," available at <http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/dpos/ecplan.html>) was published in late 1998, the next step was to identify and implement the steps that will bring its provisions into practice. This began with an exploratory, cross-organizational team from Depository Administration Branch, Cataloging Branch, Electronic Information Dissemination Services and the Electronic Transition Staff (ETS). The team met for two weeks to define the possibilities, identify the issues and develop strategies for dealing with the issues.

The team was re-configured slightly and officially became the "Electronic Collection Team." This team is examining and evaluating electronic products for inclusion in the Electronic Collection. The team also continues to develop the techniques and procedures to process electronic resources. This includes selection, bibliographic control, persistent naming, archiving and outreach. The collection building activities will be discussed by Laurie Hall and Judy Andrews at the Federal Depository Conference on Tuesday, April 13 at 11:00 a.m.

ETS personnel continue to make presentations on the collection plan, the electronic collection and other facets of the electronic transition. ETS staff spoke at meetings of the Federal Publishers Committee, a group of agency publishing officials, in January, and the Internet Information Management Work Group at the Department of Health and Human Services, in March. Other recent ETS staff contacts include meetings with personnel from the National Transportation Library, the library at National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency.

The role of partnerships in providing ongoing access to Government information is evolving. The initial model was a three-party agreement between an agency, a cooperating institution, and GPO, with GPO in the role of facilitator and safety net. ETS is now drafting a new model agreement in which GPO plays a more active role in identifying, "acquiring," providing access to information products, and facilitating permanent storage with an institutional partner such as a library or university. This new model will better position GPO to offer a useful service to agency publishers and to gain the benefits of permanent access for the FDLP and the public.

The NTIS/GPO Pilot Project went live on January 18, 1999. 22 depository libraries have access to a NTIS database of approximately 35,000 image documents. The pilot is scheduled to run for a year. As of mid-March, the search site was averaging 100 visits per week. As the libraries explore the site's potential, they are making excellent suggestions for its improvement. Walter Finch, project director for NTIS, will be speaking about the project at the Federal Depository Conference on Monday, April 12, at 3:45 p.m.

The FDLP/ERIC Pilot Project concluded on December 31, 1998. GPO is analyzing the results of the user surveys and considering options for availability of ERIC reports electronically. A report on the Pilot Project should be issued this spring.

The University of North Texas has taken on permanent access responsibility for the Web site of the National Civil Aviation Review Commission, which ceased operation in late 1997. Based on the model for the Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations, GPO and the University of North Texas have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding that assures permanent accessibility to the Commission materials on the site. Notices have been added to the site advising users of the status of the commission < www.library.unt.edu/gpo/ncarc/ncarc.html >.

Gil Baldwin and George Barnum represent GPO on a Steering Committee organized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to implement the Framework for the Preservation of and Permanent Public Access to USDA Digital Publications. The "Framework" was developed following a 1997 conference for which GPO was one of the co-sponsors. The Steering Committee meets quarterly to address the issues of inventory and life cycle management of USDA digital publications, technical requirements, and user access and retrieval. Participation in this group has been highly beneficial to the development of the FDLP Electronic Collection.

1. GPO to fill the position of electronic collection manager.

Council recommends that GPO direct additional resources to building and managing the Electronic Depository Collection, including establishing and filling the position of Electronic Collection Manager described in Managing the Electronic Collection: A Policy and Planning Document.

Rationale:

Council believes it is imperative that GPO allocate sufficient resources, both financial and personnel, to assure the effective coordination of activities directed toward building the Electronic Collection described in Managing the Electronic Collection: A Policy and Planning Document. Council recognizes that various activities and functions associated with the electronic collection are currently distributed among various GPO units, e.g. collection development criteria, outreach, marketing, locator tools, metadata, etc. Council believes that the establishment of the position Electronic Collection Manager would provide the most effective means to coordinate and use this expertise present in GPO. (Please see Action Item at end of document for additional information.)

Response:

GPO is taking several steps to allocate additional resources to managing the FDLP Electronic Collection. The Library Programs Service (LPS) has established an ongoing Electronic Collection (EC) Team that includes personnel from the Depository Administration Branch, the Cataloging Branch, the Electronic Transition Staff, and the Office of the Director. The purpose of the EC Team is to develop, document, communicate, test, and, when necessary, modify work procedures and related policies for the FDLP Electronic Collection. The scope of EC Team’s effort include the full range of activities for products in the Electronic Collection, including (but not limited to) identification, evaluation, selection, classification, bibliographic control, persistent naming, archiving, and communication with stakeholders. The EC Team is also the focal point in LPS for tracking such related issues as persistent naming, digital archiving technology, National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) policies, and other emerging issues.

Actions are underway to establish and fill the Electronic Collection Manager position in LPS. As with any new position there are numerous steps in the process. We have developed a position description, it has been classified and graded, and we plan to proceed with advertising the vacancy soon.

Managing the FDLP EC is a cross-organizational effort that involves many offices and individuals both within GPO and at partner libraries and agencies. Within the Superintendent of Documents organization, the Office of Electronic Information Dissemination Services (EIDS) has several vital EC roles. EIDS has a major role in the identification, evaluation, selection, archiving, and communication with FDLP stakeholders, and participation in these activities will continue. More specifically, EIDS manages the training and user support functions for GPO Access, coordinates the development of Documents’ Web pages, and works closely with publishing agencies to bring new electronic products into the FDLP and Documents Sales Programs. In addition, EIDS acts as the Documents liaison with GPO Production Department on GPO Access developments.

At LPS’ request the Production Department has designated a staff member to work with our EC Team on developing an FDLP EC archive, and also has provided server space for our archiving development work.

On the financial side, GPO has requested an additional $1 million for our FY 2000 appropriation for purposes of increasing the resources allocated to managing the FDLP EC. The outcome of the FY 2000 appropriations process is not finalized at this time.

2. Microfiche contracts.

Council recommends that GPO evaluate and resolve problems with the current microfiche contractor procedures and performance to identify other options which would better serve the needs of the depository community. Council further recommends that GPO take additional steps to bring microfiche processing procedures and requirements to the attention of the depository libraries.

Since the distribution and claiming of depository microfiche has moved from GPO to full service microfiche contracts with independent contractors, microfiche processing has become more complex for depository libraries. Some contractors' inability to fulfill all elements of GPO contracts, including shipping list and claims delivery, continue to be ongoing problems. Options which might be considered include: multi-year contracts; return of microfiche to GPO for distribution; use of additional resources for shipping list preparation, contract compliance, and quality control; and a link from the microfiche shipping list web page to an information page on current microfiche shipment practices and procedures.

LPS and the Term Contracts Division of GPO’s Printing Procurement Department have identified several specific steps to improve contractor performance. We have:

• Instituted more rigorous pre-award testing of new vendors bidding on FDLP work.
• Changed from tape cartridges to FTP transfer for selection and library address data so contractors can respond more quickly to changes in libraries selection profiles.
• Designed and staffed a more strenuous review of the administrative contract receivables, such as the microfiche masters, shipping lists, and associated electronic data files.
• Requested hiring a second microfiche inspector who would focus more specifically on contract compliance issues.

These changes have improved LPS’ ability to address and correct performance problems with the microfiche contractors, as in the recent situation with the nearly opaque headers on the microfiche produced by CRS, Inc.

For the longer term, we are taking active steps to identify titles currently distributed in microfiche for which reliable, official electronic versions are available. As we announced at the 1999 Midwinter meeting of the American Library Association, we will migrate the depository library distribution version of certain titles from microfiche to an agency-issued online resource. This direction is in accordance with the plans for the transition to a more electronic FDLP. The specific criteria for identifying candidate titles were published in the February 15, 1999 issue of Administrative Notes (v. 20, no. 4, pp. 4-6).

In addition, we have reviewed the other suggestions from Council for possible implementation. With the current staffing level and allocation of resources in LPS it is simply not feasible to bring the microfiche distribution activity back in-house. Our efforts are focussed on strengthening contract compliance and quality review, and on enhancing the administrative and record-keeping infrastructure required to support effective action against a deficient contractor.

1. Discontinue or consolidate "traditional" LPS products and services in tangible formats.

Council recommends that GPO, in consultation with the depository library community, decrease the frequency of publication of the paper editions of GPO administrative tools that are available online and are more frequently updated. Some titles with a strong sales history should remain in the sales program in print editions as long as sales justify the cost of production.

As an example, since the online List of Classes is updated monthly, Council recommends that the print version of the List of Classes be updated, published and distributed (via FDLP and sales) only annually, and that each library receive only one depository copy.

Council further recommends that, provided the annual publication date is flexible, GPO consult with the depository community to determine the most appropriate time of year to produce the print version.

Rationale:

Frequently updated online tools are more useful than print editions that are often dated by the time they are printed and distributed. All program libraries should have access to the FDLP web site and the ability to download. The online version of the List of Classes is updated monthly and can be manipulated to serve multiple purposes. However, libraries may need time to learn how to exploit this FDLP electronic resource. During the transition period, some titles may need to remain in print even if less frequently updated. This issue should be revisited.

Response:

LPS has changed the production schedule for the List of Classes from quarterly to semiannual, and reduced the number of copies distributed free of charge to each depository from two to one. The next issue is expected to be available in April 1999, prior to the annual selection update cycle.

In addition, LPS will examine other administrative publications currently issued in both print and electronic format for migration to solely electronic availability. Some potential candidates for this migration are the Administrative Notes Technical Supplement, the Inactive or Discontinued Items from the 1950 Revision of the Classified List.

In the longer term, LPS will determine on a case-by-case basis whether new or existing administrative publications require a print analog. In general our direction will be to use the online information services and reserve the production of new printed products for exceptional cases.

2. Structure of Council meetings, amount of time, location.

Council recommends that the fall Council meeting be held permanently in the Washington, DC area, sometime between the Columbus and Veterans Day holidays, and that the annual Federal Depository Library Conference coincide with the fall DLC meeting in Washington. The spring DLC meeting would be held in the field, rotating around the country, as it was prior to 1992.

Council further recommends that the fall DLC meetings begin on Sunday evening and end on Wednesday afternoon, instead of beginning on Monday morning and ending on Thursday afternoon. Sunday evening would be reserved for Council's organizational meeting, open to observers. The full Conference would begin on Monday morning and conclude on Wednesday afternoon, with the Regionals' session continuing to be held on the Sunday immediately prior to the Federal Depository Library Conference. The spring DLC meeting schedule would be modified in similar fashion.

Council also recommends that GPO continue to monitor attendance at DLC meetings and FDL conferences to determine whether changing meeting structure, locations, and dates has an adverse affect on depository library participation.

A fall meeting in Washington will produce fewer conflicts with other library-related meetings and a wider range of choices for hotel accommodations. This change will also restore the opportunity for newly appointed Council members to visit the GPO facility. The change to Sunday through Wednesday reduces meeting space rental and other FDLC expenses, such as an extra day's use/rental of meeting rooms at the hotel, A-V equipment, and coffee breaks. Potentially, per diem expenses for DLC members would be reduced.

GPO has implemented this recommendation, and the revised sequence of meetings and use of the Sunday through Wednesday meeting structure will begin in 2000. The upcoming sequence of Depository Library Council (DLC) meetings and Federal Depository Conferences (FDC) is:

We will monitor the effects of these changes on event attendance and participation and, in the event that any adverse impacts are found, will recommend other changes for consideration by the Council.

Andrea Sevetson
Head, Government Information
223 Library
University of California
Berkeley, CA 94720-6000
(510) 643-9346
(510) 643-6650 (fax)
asevetso@library.berkeley.edu