Examining the role of Web site information in facilitating different citizen–government relationships: A case study of state Chronic Wasting Disease Web sites

This paper develops a framework to assess the text-based public information provided on program level government agency Web sites. The framework informs the larger e-government question of how, or whether, state administrative agencies are using Web sites in a transformative capacity—to change relationships between citizens and government. It focuses on assessing the degree to which text information provided on government Web sites could facilitate various relationships between government agencies and citizens. The framework incorporates four views of government information obligations stemming from different assumptions about citizen–government relationships in a democracy: the private citizen view, the attentive citizen view, the deliberative citizen view, and the citizen–publisher view. Each view suggests inclusion of different types of information on government agency web sites. The framework is employed to assess state Web sites containing information about chronic wasting disease, a disease effecting deer and elk in numerous U.S. states and Canada.     

政府信息公开的障碍机制

本文所讲的政府信息公开区别于日常生活中被泛化了的“公开”之义,是要令公开的信息对公众达到可得性、可理解性和可接受性。文章拟通过对政府信息公开过程中的主体环境、知识平台、资源分布三方面的探讨,初步构建政府信息公开的流动性障碍模型。     

Collaborative digital government in Mexico: Some lessons from federal Web-based interorganizational information integration initiatives

The use of information and communication technologies in government has been characterized as one powerful strategy for administrative reform. From recent experiences around the world, it seems clear that in order to enjoy some of the greatest benefits of digital government, the integration of information across organizational boundaries is necessary. However, these digital government initiatives face additional challenges, since the required level of interorganizational collaboration and trust is often not supported by existing institutional arrangements, organizational structures, and managerial processes. In fact, many institutions and administrative structures found in government contexts offer incentives for single-agency work only, which produces stove-pipe systems. Based on an extensive case study in the Mexican federal government, this paper explores how certain institutional arrangements and organizational structures can enable or hinder cross-agency collaboration and consequently, interorganizational information integration.     

A new look at the constitution's copyright clause: Copyright by government contractors is unconstitutional

Through a new interpretation of the Copyright Clause of the Constitution and the Application of the Ninth and Tenth Amendments, the author concludes that it is unconstitutional for (1) the Congress to authorize Federal agencies to permit copyright by Federal contractors on works they were commissioned by Federal contract to produce for compensation, and (2) the Copyright Office to register a copyright application from such a Federal contractor.There are two provisions in the Copyright Clause, the commonly cited one on promoting science and the arts, and the generally ignored permissible-means provision limiting copyright to providing incentive to authors to create works. The latter one is a threshold requirement for copyrightability.Since there is no constitutional authority to motivate an author by the Federal Government's permitting him to copyright a work he was commissioned under Federal contracts to produce for compensation, Schnapper v. Foley was wrongly decided.     

The accessibility of Chinese local government Web sites: An exploratory study

With the rapid development of Chinese e-government, Chinese citizens are encouraged to access e-government services as their convenience. However, the accessibility of Chinese e-government Web sites has been overlooked. This research study tries to provide an overview of the accessibility of Chinese local government Web sites. Three hundred twenty-four Chinese local government Web sites were examined to find out how accessible they are with reference to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0 (WCAG) published by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). This research found that all the surveyed Chinese e-government Web sites failed one or more W3C's accessibility measures and thus many disabled Chinese people may have substantial problems to access them. Several valuable recommendations are made based on the research findings and the China's actual conditions.     

图书馆政府决策信息采集分析

政府决策信息采集具有全面性、针对性、时效性等要求。文章对政府决策信息的三种信息源,即新闻媒体信息源、网络信息源及数据库信息源的特点及其检索策略进行分析,指出图书馆政府信息采集将向网络化、合作化、专题化、制度化方向发展的趋势。     

电子政务信息资源网络影响力评价指标体系研究

文章在界定电子政务信息资源的基础上,利用层次分析法和德尔菲法,构建电子政务信息资源的网络影响力评价指标体系,并利用该指标体系对我国34个直辖市、省和特区电子政务门户网站的网络影响力进行了评价。其评价结果与我国互联网发展状况相吻合,从而证实了该网络影响力评价指标体系的合理性。     

Online work tools: A look at 20 academic libraries technical services Web pages

The 21st century technical services librarian has access to a plethora of electronic and online work tools from which to choose to complete daily tasks. An assessment of the Western Kentucky University Libraries (WKUL) 19 benchmark institutions shows a great disparity of online work tools made available through university libraries technical services departmental Web sites. Four areas (technical services, cataloging, serials, and acquisitions) are discussed. Outcomes indicate that (1) few of these institutions list online work tools and (2) of those that do, there is very little overlap. This paper investigates this phenomenon of inconsistent technical services online work tools.     

Presidential policy and information dissemination: An analysis of the Reagan moratorium on government publishing

In 1981, President Reagan declared a moratorium on the production of new government-financed pamphlets, periodicals, and audiovisuals. This study examines the impact of that action on the format and content of printed publications, issued during the freeze, by the Department of Health and Human Services. Analysis of those publications distributed to Government Printing Office depository libraries during the moratorium reflected: (1) no significant reduction in the number of documents produced, (2) a shift toward smaller, less-costly print formats, and (3) no significant reduction in the release of publicity/advertising materials. Changes observed in the quantity, format, and content of Department of Health and Human Services publications issued during the moratorium were not those expected given the presidential guidelines.     

网络信息资源组织方式探析

面对网络信息环境对传统信息组织方式的冲击,文章比较系统地重点评析了现行网络信息资源组织方式的优点与不足,同时对未来网络信息资源组织的发展趋势进行了美好的展望。     

ISI Web of Knowledge集成检索平台评析

本文从资源整合与集成检索的角度出发，对ISI Web of KnowledgeSM平台的集成化信息检索机制作了一个全面的解析；同时指出其优势与不足之处，希望为我国图书情报机构打造成熟的、满足用户方便、快捷获取所需信息的检索平台提供一点借鉴。     

Automated decision-making and good administration: Views from inside the government machinery

Use of semi- and fully automated, administrative decision-making in public administration is increasing. Despite this increase, few studies have explicitly analysed its relation to good administration. Good administration is regulations and norms aimed at securing the correctness of administrative decisions as well as the legitimacy of these and is often associated with underlying values such as transparency, equality of treatment and accountability. Based on a thematic analysis of qualitative interviews with 43 key public administration stakeholders in a wide array of policy areas in Denmark, insiders of government machinery are shown to perceive relations between automated decision-making and good administration as manifold. Automated, administrative decision-making is articulated as providing both opportunities for supporting good administration and undermining good administration. Six values of good administration particularly related to automated, administrative decision-making are identified: Carefulness; Respecting-individual-rights; Professionalism; Trustworthiness; Responsiveness and Empowerment. Put simply, risks to good administration can be expected to occur if administrative bodies apply automated, administrative decision-making, while opportunities must be actively nurtured through managerial attention. Despite popular conceptions of the threat of “robotic government”, the conclusions of this study indicate a need for a more pragmatic view of relations of automated, administrative decision-making and good administration balanced between outright techno-optimism and techno-pessimism.     

Congress and freedom of information: A retrospective and a look at a current issue

When Congress refined and finally enacted the Freedom of Information Act during the mid-1960s, there were various reasons why this new law was not made applicable to the Senate and the House of Representatives. One of these was the long and impressive congressional record of publishing information regarding the activities and operations of the House, the Senate, and their officers and committees. There has been of late, however, evidence of some lapses in this tradition. Moreover, the availability to the public of the reports of the Congressional Research Service has also recently become a heightened issue. These matters are examined in this overview.     

The federal government and information technology standards: Building the national information infrastructure

For many years, standards have been important considerations in the Federal government's policies for the use of information technology. The Computer Systems Laboratory (CSL) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology develops and issues technical standards that are used by the Federal government in its information technology systems. The new Federal initiative for the National Information Infrastructure (NII) and the National Performance Review (NPR) make information technology an agent for change and emphasize standards as a means for achieving connectivity of computer and telecommunications technologies and for easy access to information. The Federal government will be challenged to address the technical, organizational, and policy issues that affect the development of the standards needed for future information systems.     

Behind the Scenes: Life As An Editorial Assistant

The following is a reflective examination about serving as an editorial assistant at Communication Monographs. Compiled from the individual experiences of four different editorial assistants over a two-year period, it provides insight into a well known but not often publically discussed role in academic publishing. Although the role of editorial assistant may vary somewhat from journal to journal, core responsibilities and experiences are presented. Reflections of the numerous academic and professional benefits are also discussed. Additionally, areas of personal growth, challenges encountered, and recommendations are provided. The goal of this article is to provide an understanding of the editorial assistant role, its benefits, its challenges, and the importance of this unique opportunity for aspiring communication academics.     

我国农业院校图书馆网站信息资源建设现状分析

通过对我国农业院校图书馆网站的信息资源建设情况进行调查分析,找出其共性和特点及存在的问题,并对如何建好网站信息资源提出有关建议.     

The management of United States government information resources: An assessment of OMB circular A-130

In late 1985, the U.S. Office of Management and Budget issued its controversial circular on the “Management of Federal Information Resources. ”This article assesses that circular in four areas relating to public access to government information: information resources management, economy and efficiency in that management, the adequacy of selected definitions, and implications for the depository library program. The conclusion emphasizes that the circular is severely deficient and requires public scrutiny and modification, as well as congressional review.     

Behind the wall: service challenges at a prison library

Abstract

This article examines the challenges of providing library services to incarcerated men at the State Correctional Institution Benner Township in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. Most challenges stem from sustaining an inmate’s right of access to the courts, operating without the technology found in most public libraries, and dealing with censorship.