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Washington information directory, 1983–1984
231
Reviews
GPO, its automation and cataloging programs, and future directions for the distribution of government bibliographic data. Bruce Morton’s readable article presents a “how to do it” approach for the application of computer technology to the management and development of a documents collection. Morton’s general thesis is that since the technology is there, librarians will need to educate themselves about its uses and realign their attitudes, if they wish to retain their present positions. This paper draws heavily from an article which appeared in a 1981 issue of Government Publications Review. Susanna Schweizer’s paper on on-line retrieval of government information via video/teletext systems is a lecture on the advantages and disadvantages of such systems. It is disappointing that there was only one page devoted to the actual use of such systems by the government in its information dissemination. Charles McClure’s paper is largely a rehash of an article which appeared in a 1982 Government Publications Review and it has a decided academic research-oriented perspective. McClure discusses on the abstract level how to use technology in reference and collection management of documents. However, he fails to deal with the realities of the depository program or the politics inherent in all library systems. Finally, Virginia Gillham’s article discusses the CODOC system and how it can be used to automate documents files. Much of the information in this article can also be found in a 1981 Government Publications Review by Ms. Gillham. The general feeling one has after reading this text is pessimism and doubt about whether computer technology can or will be applied successfully to document collections. To balance this negative message, it would have been preferable to have had a few more examples of actual applications of computer technology. In general this book can be recommended only for those in the field who know only the rudiments of automation and document librarianship.
Washington Information Directory, 1983-84. Ninth Edition. Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly, Inc., 1983, 923 pages, ISBN O-87187-255-2. LC 75646321.
Reviewed
$29.95.
by Agnes Ferruso
Agnes Ferruso is Head of the Government Publications Section, Serial and Government Publications Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540. Washington seems to have qualities that discourage approach. Keeping abreast of the various executive and legislative reorganizations and personnel changes, the agencies telephone directories and organization charts is mind boggling. The purpose of the 1983-84 Washington Information Directory is to facilitate access to more than 5,000 information sources in the federal government and non-profit associations by consolidating information about them in a single reference source.
232
GOVERNMENT
INFORMATION
QUARTERLY
Vol.
l/No.
L/l 984
The format, arrangement, and style have not changed from the last edition. New additions to the ninth edition include a listing of United States ambassadors abroad in the Foreign Embassies appendix and a new citizenship education section in the Education and Culture chapter. Each entry gives the phone number and the postal address as well as the location of the agency if it differs from the postal address. It also lists a contact person within the agency and a brief statement about the purpose of the agency. The work itself is divided into three parts: the directory proper, appendices and an index. Each of the sixteen subject chapters of the directory proper is preceded by a list of key agencies, congressional committees and personnel concerned with that chapter’s subject area. A list of twenty-four or more books and periodicals in each subject area appears at the end of each chapter. The appendices are a quick reference to who’s who in Congress, federal agencies, labor unions, religious organizations, state and local officials, and, as well, includes lists of regional federal information centers. A detailed subject index and agency/ organization index are provided with the organizations also indexed under the key words in their titles. There are cross-references listed in the index as well as the directory proper. The value of the Directory lies in the consolidation of its information which is well-organized and well-presented. Although personal contacts are listed for each agency/organization one must keep in mind the difficulties of keeping current with key personnel in any organization in an annual publication of this kind. As with most other Congressional Quarterly publications the Directory is highly recommended.
Reviews
GPO, its automation and cataloging programs, and future directions for the distribution of government bibliographic data. Bruce Morton’s readable article presents a “how to do it” approach for the application of computer technology to the management and development of a documents collection. Morton’s general thesis is that since the technology is there, librarians will need to educate themselves about its uses and realign their attitudes, if they wish to retain their present positions. This paper draws heavily from an article which appeared in a 1981 issue of Government Publications Review. Susanna Schweizer’s paper on on-line retrieval of government information via video/teletext systems is a lecture on the advantages and disadvantages of such systems. It is disappointing that there was only one page devoted to the actual use of such systems by the government in its information dissemination. Charles McClure’s paper is largely a rehash of an article which appeared in a 1982 Government Publications Review and it has a decided academic research-oriented perspective. McClure discusses on the abstract level how to use technology in reference and collection management of documents. However, he fails to deal with the realities of the depository program or the politics inherent in all library systems. Finally, Virginia Gillham’s article discusses the CODOC system and how it can be used to automate documents files. Much of the information in this article can also be found in a 1981 Government Publications Review by Ms. Gillham. The general feeling one has after reading this text is pessimism and doubt about whether computer technology can or will be applied successfully to document collections. To balance this negative message, it would have been preferable to have had a few more examples of actual applications of computer technology. In general this book can be recommended only for those in the field who know only the rudiments of automation and document librarianship.
Washington Information Directory, 1983-84. Ninth Edition. Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly, Inc., 1983, 923 pages, ISBN O-87187-255-2. LC 75646321.
Reviewed
$29.95.
by Agnes Ferruso
Agnes Ferruso is Head of the Government Publications Section, Serial and Government Publications Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540. Washington seems to have qualities that discourage approach. Keeping abreast of the various executive and legislative reorganizations and personnel changes, the agencies telephone directories and organization charts is mind boggling. The purpose of the 1983-84 Washington Information Directory is to facilitate access to more than 5,000 information sources in the federal government and non-profit associations by consolidating information about them in a single reference source.
232
GOVERNMENT
INFORMATION
QUARTERLY
Vol.
l/No.
L/l 984
The format, arrangement, and style have not changed from the last edition. New additions to the ninth edition include a listing of United States ambassadors abroad in the Foreign Embassies appendix and a new citizenship education section in the Education and Culture chapter. Each entry gives the phone number and the postal address as well as the location of the agency if it differs from the postal address. It also lists a contact person within the agency and a brief statement about the purpose of the agency. The work itself is divided into three parts: the directory proper, appendices and an index. Each of the sixteen subject chapters of the directory proper is preceded by a list of key agencies, congressional committees and personnel concerned with that chapter’s subject area. A list of twenty-four or more books and periodicals in each subject area appears at the end of each chapter. The appendices are a quick reference to who’s who in Congress, federal agencies, labor unions, religious organizations, state and local officials, and, as well, includes lists of regional federal information centers. A detailed subject index and agency/ organization index are provided with the organizations also indexed under the key words in their titles. There are cross-references listed in the index as well as the directory proper. The value of the Directory lies in the consolidation of its information which is well-organized and well-presented. Although personal contacts are listed for each agency/organization one must keep in mind the difficulties of keeping current with key personnel in any organization in an annual publication of this kind. As with most other Congressional Quarterly publications the Directory is highly recommended.