Yesterday,Today, Tomorrow

The rapid growth of computer technologies to supplement and eventually supplant print as the dominany medium for the provision of government reference information has profound implications for the role of government and the private sector in the creation, enhancement, and dissemination of these products and services. The reluctance of the federal government to provide full and free access to information in electronic formats precludes society's attainment of the concept of equity that is a touchstone of democracy. A way most certain to insure public access would acknowledge a First Amendment penumbra embodying the right to be informed, but this would require a Supreme Court ruling pursuant to a justiciable controversy. Based upon current official policies, the future holds little promise of an equitable diffusion of government information in non-print formats through the depository library system or related statutory mandates.