access at a depository library. To effectively accomplish this transition by FY 1998 and assure the long term accessibility of Government information falling under the purview of Chapter 19 (Depository Library Program), Title 44, United States Code, this Chapter should be amended to add the following new provisions: New Section (1917). Components of the Government publishing information dissemination products falling under the purview of Section 1902 of this Chapter shall provide the Superintendent of Documents with electronic source data files of those products at the time of publication. New Section (1918). Publishing components shall notify the Superintendent of Documents at such time as they initiate, substantially modify, or terminate an electronic information dissemination product or service. Those New Section (1919). Publishing components shall notify the Superintendent of Documents of their intent to initiate an electronic information dissemination product or service. components shall further authorize the Superintendent of Documents to either obtain, on an incremental cost basis, copies of such products which are produced or procured elsewhere than through the Government Printing Office; or, establish an agreement with the Superintendent of Documents whereby the Superintendent of Documents will reimburse the publishing component the incremental costs associated with depository library usage of the information service. New Section (1920). The Public Printer will issue guidelines for components of the Government to implement Sections 1917, 1918, and 1919 of this chapter. Components that fail to comply with these guidelines and Sections 1917, 1918, and 1919 of this chapter shall bear the full cost of producing copies of products necessary for depository libraries as may be required pursuant to the provisions of this chapter and will provide such copies to the Superintendent of Documents for distribution. (1) The term "publishing component" means an agency of the Federal Government which makes its information dissemination products or services available for public use or access. (2) The term "information dissemination product" means a production, or other documentary material, regardless of (3) The term "information dissemination service" means any (4) The term "electronic source data files" means the (5) The term "on-line public access" means that information is made accessible electronically over the Internet, or any successor network, without regard for the storage media which holds the data, or the searching mechanisms employed to access it. Future of the In-House Distribution Operation As the distribution of physical items declines, LPS will reach the point where it is no longer cost-effective to maintain an inhouse distribution capability. The current LPS distribution system, using the Lighted Bin System, relies upon economies of scale for cost-effectiveness. SOD will carefully analyze the costs of Lighted Bin System maintenance, distribution staffing, space requirements, overhead, etc., to determine the break-even point. Once that point is identified and reached, LPS will discontinue the in-house distribution operation, and move entirely to contractual shipping arrangements for the few remaining physical items in the FDLP. Needed personnel will be retrained for new roles in the electronic FDLP. During the transition period, positions which become vacant through attrition will generally remain unfilled. If determined to be critical, a vacancy will be filled through a temporary appointment. Strengthening the Depository Library System GPO will take the initiative to reshape its relationship with depository libraries and librarians in order to strengthen the depository library system and to advance the goal of better serving the public. In an increasingly electronic environment, GPO intends to take an expanded role in the provision of support services for depository libraries and librarians. These system support services will better prepare depositories to serve as intermediaries providing direct services to end users. Expanded services to libraries include, but are not limited to, locator services, user support, training, and documentation. The SOD will provide training and user support for depository libraries for the GPO Access services. In those cases where we point to electronic services provided by another agency we will seek arrangements with the originating agency to provide user support for depository libraries. Depository Library Service Expectations The planned rapid transition to an electronic FDLP will pose a significant challenge to depository libraries. Some depository libraries will have to accelerate their plans to obtain public access computer work stations, and deal with the demand for local printing and downloading. Depository librarians will do their best to balance the needs to serve the computer have-nots in our society, while preserving and providing access to the historical Government information contained in their pre-electronic documents collections. Depository libraries are expected to provide access to electronic information identified in SOD Pathway services as well as information made available directly through the FDLP at no charge to the public. Fulfilling this expectation requires depository libraries to offer users access to work stations with a graphical user interface, CD-ROM capability, Internet connections, and the ability to access, download, and print extensive documents. However, depository libraries may charge users to recover the cost of printing information accessed electronically. These electronic capabilities are in accordance with the revised "Recommended Minimum Technical Guidelines" published in the January 15, 1995 issue of the Administrative Notes newsletter. Following the advice of the Depository Library Council to the Public Printer, these or updated capabilities will become requirements for all depository libraries in 1996. Depository libraries are responsible for the startup and maintenance costs associated with equipment and Internet connectivity required to provide access to Federal Government information in electronic formats. Technology Grants It is clear that some depositories lack the resources to acquire the requisite computer or telecommunications resources necessary to adequately serve the public in the electronic FDLP. Based on a preliminary analysis of the responses to the 1995 Biennial Survey of depository libraries, 25% of the depositories do not have public access work stations connected to the Internet. Many of these libraries are planning to offer public Internet access within two years, but over 12% (164 of 1,347 responding libraries) have no plans to provide Internet access to the public. The lack of public Internet access in depository libraries is a critical missing "last mile" in making Government information available electronically. GPO intends to expend up to $500,000 in FY 1997 for "technology grants" to depository libraries. The technology grants are intended to ensure reasonable public access and proximity to at least one electronically-capable depository in every Congressional district2. These grants, at up to $25,000 each, are to be used for public access work stations and Internet connections in depository libraries. This one-time financial assistance will enable libraries to achieve a minimum level of capability to serve the public with on-line electronic Government information. In order to be eligible for a technology grant, the depository library must demonstrate need and stipulate that no other funding source is available for this purpose. Training Efforts and Regional Librarians' Conference SOD intends to devote additional resources to promoting training and continuing education opportunities for depository librarians, 2 Based on preliminary returns from the 1995 Biennial Survey of depositories, LPS estimates that there are 11 Congressional districts in which no existing depository offers public Internet access. In addition, there are 22 other Congressional districts in which there is no depository library. to raise the level of knowledge and skills with electronic information resources. This approach will guide the development of future "Federal Depository Conferences" as we will provide hands-on training in the use of the GPO Access on-line services, and facilitate training on other agencies' systems. GPO will take a leadership role in arranging workshops to inform agencies about issues and concerns in developing Government information products and services suitable for use by the depository libraries and the general public. There is potential for leadership growth among the 53 regional depository libraries. Closer cultivation and coordination with the regional depository libraries and their directors should lead to a greater ability to rely upon the regional librarians as field coordinators for the FDLP. To this end, GPO is requesting that the statutory limitation on S&E travel be raised by $20,000 to $150,000 in FY 1997. We propose to bring the regional librarians together for a one-time conference, at SOD expense, for training, discussion of state planning initiatives, and a clarification of the regionals' role in the administration of the technology grants. New Focus for the Inspection Program The depository library inspection program will be redesigned, so that the resources devoted to periodic inspections can be reallocated to FDLP system support and services to depository libraries. Over the last eight years, 95% of the depository libraries inspected have been found in compliance with the requirements of the FDLP. Now that the depository library selfstudy has been adopted as an evaluation tool for use by the libraries, LPS intends that the basis for inspections will be that specified in 44 U.S.C. 1909, which states that "the Superintendent of Documents shall make firsthand investigation of conditions [in depository libraries] for which need is indicated ..." (emphasis added). LPS will concentrate on site compliance inspections of those libraries which submit unsatisfactory self-studies, have major changes in staffing or facilities, have prior records of noncompliance, or if complaints are received from the public concerning depository library services. The LPS Depository Services Staff (DSS) will also be available to visit, consult with, and assist a depository library upon request. This change will permit the DSS resources to be reallocated to providing |