Access to Government Documents in the Digital Age: Should we be worried?

Summary History The Digital Age GPO Strategic Vision POV: Library and User Questions Conclusion

History 1813: First Depository Library Program Established 1860: GPO Established 1895: Free access to the public 1994: GPO Access website established

The Internet

New Paradigm 66% of homes in the U.S. have internet access 99% of public libraries offer internet service 65% of Americans spend more time with their home computer than with their spouse. 50% of Gov Docs published only in digital format

A Strategic Vision for the 21 st Century December 1, strategicplan.pdf Google: Strategic Vision GPO

Strategic Vision 1.Develop a Flexible Digital Information Content System 2.Prepare and Equip the GPO 3.Develop a new model for the FDLP 5.Increase the percentage of Federal Documents procured by the GPO 4.Serve the Public’s Needs 6.Develop a new approach to managing the GPO 7.Provide the financial resources required to accomplish the Strategic Vision 1.Develop a Flexible Digital Information Content System 3.Develop a new model for the FDLP 2.Prepare and Equip the GPO 7 Goals

Future Digital System

Digital Content System Future Digital Content System Authentic and Official Digital Documents Searching, downloading, and printing Include multimedia formats Permanent Availability Legacy Publications Project Donations from Libraries Web Publication Harvesting Fugitive Documents

Government Printing Office Training GPO employees in digital publication Changing Infastructure Less traditional printing done by the GPO itself Federal Agencies & Departments will be able to provide content directly to the system

Federal Depository Library Program Quote Option to receive print materials when available Fewer Federal Depository Library Collections Standards will be set by FDLP

Pros & Cons Pros Efficiency Timeliness GPO Guidance and Supervision Cons Cost shifts to libraries Government control of content

From the Library POV Pro: FDLP participation no longer necessary More Control over library More library space Con Sometimes Print Better Cost Shifted Preservation and Ownership Issues

From the User POV Pros Access from almost anywhere More information available Cons No guidance May not have access period Fewer Options

Questions What Does this mean with regard to private vendors? What responsibilities do libraries have to provide access? What role will we as librarians play in monitoring this new paradigm? What does this mean for law libraries in general?

Should we be worried...?

Strategic Vision for the 21 st Century egicplan.pdf Google: Strategic Vision GPO Future Digital Content System Legacy