The Online Government Information Movement

Abstract

The National Commission on Libraries and Information Science published recommendations for a national information policy in 1976, and concerns regarding the protection of privacy and equal public access to online information were introduced. From the mid 1970s to the early 1990s, federal government agencies were beginning to publish materials and maintain records electronically. Most current U.S. government information was available on the Internet by the late 1990s, and depository libraries were required to provide workstations that would facilitate access to documents. Documents librarians, already concerned with the lack of attention to archiving online federal information, were provided with an example of the vulnerability of online publications in the early 2000s when federal agency Web sites were made inaccessible-quickly and easily. The possibility that too much government information was available to anyone with access to the Internet was becoming a national concern. Using government documents as resources, this article retraces the events that were occurring in federal government agencies during the movement of government information to the Internet.     

The internet as a new distribution channel of scientific grey literature: The case of Italian WWW servers

The enormous range of information sources and communication services available on the Internet today recalls the information explosion and information overload that characterizes this century. We are certainly facing new kinds of information and communication patterns, based on direct electronic communication between end-users among themselves and/or between end-users and information sources. Moreover, this new channel of communication provides the opportunity to distribute different types of information, which in some cases are available only in a networked environment. The aim of this article is to analyze whether this new scenario has stimulated the production and the direct distribution of grey literature as well as changing its “traditional” features. The starting point of the study are the Italian WWW servers of the National Research Council.     

A progress report on a U.S. National Survey of Geospatial Framework Data

Although federally supported geospatial data clearinghouses have appeared on the Internet, there exist few resources allowing for a coordinated collection of publicly available geospatial data over large areas. The completion of a national survey of potential producers of geospatial data provides users with a new way of learning about relevant, publicly accessible data when they embark on projects with a spatial component. This article presents a progress report on the National Survey of Geospatial Framework Data. The survey's methodology is described, allowing for readers to anticipate both the nature and extent of the survey results. Also described are the means by which the final results will be released. The survey results will serve as a major national source of information regarding where public geospatial data can be obtained at all levels of government. This article is intended to encourage access to the survey results so the results reach an appropriate audience while still timely and relevant. The survey will serve as a new source of information having implications for access to geospatial data nationwide. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd     

What every medical librarian should know about MEDLINEplus

Developed in response to a growing need for consumer health information and to extend awareness of quality health information resources available on the Internet, MEDLINEplus was introduced by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) in October 1998. This article gives a brief history and overview of MEDLINEplus and describes the content of this full-text consumer health information resource.     

The Internet Job Search:

To many users, the Internet is an unfriendly and unusable network of computers, but for the job hunter, it contains a multitude of important information resources. Position listings, resumewriting assistance, company profiles, and other relevant pieces of information are available to the user who can locate them. This article outlines concepts and search strategies which can be used to find this information utilizing a variety of Internet tools and resources.     

U.S. Public Library Outlet Internet Connectivity: Progress Issues and Strategies

The 1998 Public Library Outlet Internet Connectivity study (Bertot & McClure, 1998) sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science (NCLIS) collected public library outlet Internet connectivity data by outlet metropolitan status, poverty, and region strata. Based on a national survey, the results show that there are disparities in public library outlet Internet connectivity, public access provision, and speed of public access Internet services. Such disparities have implications for future connectivity policy development such as the e-rate, state library-based connectivity programs, and library-initiated connectivity initiatives that this article identifies and explores. Community Access Points (CAPS), in addition to public libraries, may be necessary to reach national goals related to universal service and equality of access to the Internet.     

新加坡网络信息管理机制分析

新加坡有煤体发展局、国家计算机委员会等机构实施对网络信息的管理。政府对网络信息依法实施检查、管制。国家对因特网实行注册登记制度,明确因特网及其内容提供商的责任、确定因特网管理之重点。强调行业自律和用户的自我责任。当前,仍面临着网络信息迅速增加而管理力量不足的问题,以及因特网法律的完善等问题。新加坡对网络信息的管理有许多值得学习的经验。参考文献16。     

Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) Maintained Research Institutes’ Libraries in India: Towards Digitization and Networking

The Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) was established for development of social science research in India. It provides grants to 27 research institutes and six regional centers in India. These institutes have established close links with scholars in the region through activities such as seminars, workshops, training, and consultancy programs. Some of the institutes are closely associated with national and state level planning development agencies and have thereby strengthened the links between research and policy-making. The present study includes 22 institute libraries and three regional libraries in different Indian states. The study analyses their annual acquisition of books; periodicals; CD-ROMs; annual budgets; computerization; hardware and software; Internet; library network; and interlibrary loan and photocopy facilities available in these libraries. Digitization provides a solution to traditional library problems such as conservation, preservation, multimedia documents, and remote access to information, collection, and storage space. ICSSR institute libraries are replacing conventional storage and network systems with digital systems. The progress is a bit slow. Only a few ICSSR institute libraries are subscribing to electronic journals and having electronic documents. ICSSR institute libraries have started computerized operations and are making vigorous attempts to have digitized collections. However, these libraries are required to understand literature growth and use patterns in the social sciences.     

Information-seeking behavior changes in community-based teaching practices.

A National Library of Medicine information access grant allowed for a collaborative project to provide computer resources in fourteen clinical practice sites that enabled health care professionals to access medical information via PubMed and the Internet. Health care professionals were taught how to access quality, cost-effective information that was user friendly and would result in improved patient care. Selected sites were located in medically underserved areas and received a computer, a printer, and, during year one, a fax machine. Participants were provided dial-up Internet service or were connected to the affiliated hospital's network. Clinicians were trained in how to search PubMed as a tool for practicing evidence-based medicine and to support clinical decision making. Health care providers were also taught how to find patient-education materials and continuing education programs and how to network with other professionals. Prior to the training, participants completed a questionnaire to assess their computer skills and familiarity with searching the Internet, MEDLINE, and other health-related databases. Responses indicated favorable changes in information-seeking behavior, including an increased frequency in conducting MEDLINE searches and Internet searches for work-related information.     

Implications of planning for regional libraries: our underlying philosophy

The National Library of Medicine Extramural Program in administering the Medical Library Assistance Act of 1965 has developed the following specific program objectives: provide financial assistance for improving biomedical libraries; encourage and assist the establishment and functioning of a responsive national biomedical information network by strengthening present biomedical libraries and their interlibrary relationships; and assure that the biomedical library network is linked to related science information systems. The ultimate goal is to develop the role of the library as a full learning resource center for education, research, and service. The regional library program aims to augment present capability of existing medical libraries so that information can be made available more extensively and more rapidly. Comprehensive and thorough advanced planning is a basic element in the development of regional medical libraries.     

Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) Maintained Research Institutes’ Libraries in India: Towards Digitization and Networking

The Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) was established for development of social science research in India. It provides grants to 27 research institutes and six regional centers in India. These institutes have established close links with scholars in the region through activities such as seminars, workshops, training, and consultancy programs. Some of the institutes are closely associated with national and state level planning development agencies and have thereby strengthened the links between research and policy-making. The present study includes 22 institute libraries and three regional libraries in different Indian states. The study analyses their annual acquisition of books; periodicals; CD-ROMs; annual budgets; computerization; hardware and software; Internet; library network; and interlibrary loan and photocopy facilities available in these libraries. Digitization provides a solution to traditional library problems such as conservation, preservation, multimedia documents, and remote access to information, collection, and storage space. ICSSR institute libraries are replacing conventional storage and network systems with digital systems. The progress is a bit slow. Only a few ICSSR institute libraries are subscribing to electronic journals and having electronic documents. ICSSR institute libraries have started computerized operations and are making vigorous attempts to have digitized collections. However, these libraries are required to understand literature growth and use patterns in the social sciences.     

Internet Resources:

This article is aimed at the practical applications of information available on the Internet and how it creates a new role f a reference librarians as information facilitators. It focuses on the Info.umd.edu database developed by the University of Maryland and how it makes the transfer of files very easy. There are examples of how his database can be used to facilitate librarian and faculty interaction and collegiality, and how it is a resource for answers to specific questions. It contains specific examples of how the database was used in the above situations. One such example is how the author introduced the Women's Studies sections of the database to the Women's Studies faculty. They saw it as a wonderhrl resource for information as to what other faculty are doing across the country. The database has been used to enhance the image of the library on campus. Within minutes of downloading the text of the Democratic National Platform from Info, the college president's office called thanking the library for making it available to the campus. It presents the idea that the information available on the Internet is still essentially an untapped resource by many faculty and students. Librarians have the skills to become guides and mentors in the exploitation of that resource. Databases like Info.umd.edu and knowledge of them make us a valuable commodity on campus.     

Geoscience Resources on the Internet

This article will describe Geoscience resources available on the Internet, primarily the Weather Underground, the Geographic Name Sewer at the University of Michigan, and the Weather Machine at the University of Illinois. Instructions for connecting to these three sites will be given, as well as information on two gopher sites that have these systems on their menus. The Weather Underground and the Weather Machine provide real time analysis of North American weather, climate and active geographic phenomena. In addition to current weather analysis the Weather Underground provides current information on active hurricanes, earthquakes, and in the winter, "Current Ski Conditions." A special section covers nearshore and off-shore marine forecasts, warnings, and notices to mariners (such as missing or lost vessels).¹ Weather forecasts are available for most U.S. cities as well as immediale postings of weather warnings and watches. Storm damage reports are also listed, in most cases soan after the event happens. Reports come from the U.S. Weather Bureau cenhal ofices (e.g., National Hurricane Center, National Severe Storms Center), local weather offices (e.g., Chicago Weather Bureau), and a nationwide network of individual spotters and law enforcement officials. Reference librarians can use this server to provide clients with real time information on current conditions both locally and continent wide. Ihe Weather Machine also provides additional geoscience information sources to consult as well as many of the services offered by the Weather Underground. The Geographic Name Server ides a listing of cities and geographic features in the United States. Searches can be done by Zip Code, and Place Name. The server will respond with the city location, time zone, latitude and longitude, Zip Code, Area Code, etc.     

网上中文金融证券信息资源现状、问题与组织管理建议

随着市场经济的发展，人们对金融证券信息需求日益增加，同时互联网的飞速发展也为这种需求提供了丰富的信息来源。然而网上信息资源的庞杂无序性却使用户无法认清网上金融证券信息资源的状况，致使对面丰富的信息资源而无法利用。为了解决这一矛盾，本文通过检索测试，对网上中文金融证券信息资源的现状、存在问题进行了研究，并提出了组织与管理网上中文金融证券信息资源的几点建议，以促进网上金融证券信息资源的建设和有效利用。     

我国公共图书馆网络服务模式研究

利用Internet搜索引擎检索，对目前我国35个省及省级以上公共图书馆网络建设与网络服务模式现状进行了网络调查，根据图书馆所能提供的网络服务的深度的不同将我国公共图书馆的网络服务模式划分为3个层次，并指出当前网络服务模式中存在的问题。最后通过对调查数据的分析提出了相应的对策，并对未来我国公共图书馆网络服务模式进行了展望，探索性地以图示形式提出了公共图书馆网络服务的新模式．     

如何利用E-mail获取互联网信息

Internet 是世界上规模最大, 用户最多, 影响最广的网络互联系统。其信息资源丰富, 人们可以不受时空限制实现信息资源共享和进行信息交流。E-mail 是获取网络信息的强有力工具, 具有快速、简便、高效、价廉的特点。通过互联网上的邮件服务器, E-mail 可以查询信息, 调用所需文件, 起到Internet 网上其它服务工具的作用, 使人们同样能处于Internet 所提供的信息环境。     

The Philosopher's Web

Summary

The objective of this article is to examine some of the valuable philosophical resources available on the Internet, especially for librarians who need to determine what resources to provide to faculty, students, and staff. Some main uses of the Internet for philosophical research are: accessing texts, using search strategies to examine the texts, reading and writing electronic journal articles, accessing information from encyclopedias and dictionaries, browsing through paths of interlinked Web sites, searching the Internet for sources, and participating in online discussion forums. This article examines the Internet as a source of primary and secondary texts, journal literature, research databases, reference works, specialized limited area search engines, organizational information, and discussion lists. The article ends with a philosophical reflection on the transformative effect of information technology on the growth of knowledge.     

Resources for research and learning: The databases of the Research Libraries Group

The Research Libraries Group, Inc., is a not-for-profit membership corporation dedicated to improving access to information for research and learning. To this end, RLG provides the Research Libraries Information Network database of bibliographic records, files of article citations and abstracts, and other specialized research data-bases, all of which are accessible worldwide via the Internet.