The document discusses several new initiatives by the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) related to providing access to government information and their implications for academic libraries. These initiatives include the Federal Digital System (FDSys) for managing and providing access to government publications, a project to create catalog records for historical publications, and an open government data pilot. It also covers collaborative reference services for government information and challenges around archiving digital government information permanently.

1. Academic Libraries as Government
Information Providers: New Initiatives and
their Implications for Academic Libraries
Academic Libraries 2010, Michigan Library
Association, May 7, 2010
Hui Hua Chua
U.S. & International Documents Librarian
Michigan State University
chua@mail.lib.msu.edu

2. GPO initiatives
Federal Digital System (FDSys)
 System for managing government information through the entire life
cycle from submission to publication to search and retrieval to
preservation and version control.
 Replaces old GPO Access site and WAIS databases for public access
to government information.
 http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/
Shelflist conversion project and cataloging
distribution pilot
 Creation of MARC records from GPO’s shelflist from the1870s-1992.
 Testing distribution of MARC records to libraries to load into local
catalogs.
 http://www.fdlp.gov/component/ijoomla_archive/?
act=getall&ptitle=Cataloging+Record+Distribution+Pilot+FAQs&catid=24
5
Academic Libraries 2010, Michigan Library
Association, May 7, 2010

3. Academic Libraries 2010, Michigan Library
Association, May 7, 2010
GPO Initiatives
Open Government Initiative pilot
 Conversion of the Federal Register and Code of Federal Regulations
into XML and distribution of data on FDSys and data.gov
Implications and Issues
 More stable, usable platform for current and future publications.
 Increases findability of historical publications.
 Opportunity for libraries and other entities to create more flexible,
specialized tools with bulk data.

4. Other Initiatives: Digitization of the
legacy collection
Many players
 Mass digitization projects such as Google Books, CIC-Google/Hathi
Trust project, TRAIL (technical reports)
 Government agencies
 Smaller-scale projects by individual libraries
 Vendor products: Serial Set, Hearings, Congressional Record, FBIS…
Implications and issues
 Greater access to publications.
 Fewer print copies and collections.
 Why continue to purchase vendor products?
 Integration with other electronic resources.
 Opportunities to create value added tools and services to support
research and teaching.
 Public service implications.
 Comprehensiveness? Academic Permanent Libraries 2010, Michigan access Library
and archiving?
Association, May 7, 2010

5. Other Initiatives: Collaborative
Reference
Government Information Online (GIO)
 Collaborative chat and email reference service for government
information open to everyone
 Staffed by librarians from 20+ academic, state, public and law
Academic Libraries 2010, Michigan Library
Association, May 7, 2010
libraries
 Partnership with GPO for promotion and support
 2,254 in 2010 sessions with the public
 6,939 in 2009; 5,779 in 2008
 14,972 total sessions since early February 2008.
 http://govtinfo.org
 Impact: http://info.cic.net/eNews/CLI/Article.aspx?List=e2b6f931-
966b-48a1-a375-36f2c6a5860d&ID=26
Implications and Issues
 Leverages expertise of government information specialists
 Fulfils outreach mission

6. Archiving Electronic Born-Digital
Government Information
Many players at different levels and scales
 NARA, GPO
 Libraries and other non-profit organizations: University of North Texas,
Chesapeake Project, Internet Archive
Academic Libraries 2010, Michigan Library
Association, May 7, 2010
Implications and issues
 Most problematic area.
 Comprehensiveness?
 Authenticity?
 Permanent access and archiving?
 Sustainability?

7. Archiving Electronic Born-Digital
Government Information
Many players at different levels and scales
 NARA, GPO
 Libraries and other non-profit organizations: University of North Texas,
Chesapeake Project, Internet Archive
Academic Libraries 2010, Michigan Library
Association, May 7, 2010
Implications and issues
 Most problematic area.
 Comprehensiveness?
 Authenticity?
 Permanent access and archiving?
 Sustainability?