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Information update
Govt. Pub. Review, Vol. 11, pp. 187-194 All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.
Q277-9390/84$3.00 +.OO (c) 1984 Pergamon Press Ltd
INFORMATIONUPDATE
GovernmentPublicationsReview is pleased to inauguratewith this issue a news feature entitled, "InformationUpdate." In these pages, three of the most prominent practitionersin their respective fields of governmentpublications will regularly provide the readers of GPR with news of important developmentsin the field of government infostion. "InformationUpdate" will appear as camera-readytypescriptto provide the reader with news which is as current as possible. In each issue, LeRoy Schwarzkopfwill keep readers in touch with events which affect the informationdisseminationand publicationactivitiesof the United States government in his "News from Washington" column. Until his retirement in 1983, Mr. Schwarzkopfwas Head of the GovernmentDocuments and Maps Unit at the University of Maryland and served as Editor of Documents to the People from 1978 to 1982. He regularly contributesthe governmentdocuments column in Booklist and is currently completingwork on the 1982-1983edition of GovernmentReference Books: A Biennial Guide to the U.S. GovernmentPublications. In alternatingissues, David Parish will cover news concerningstate and local documents in his column "State and Local Byways," and Robert Schaaf will summarizenews of the informationactivitiesof internationalintergovernmental organizationsin "InternationalOrganizationsNews." Mr. Parish, Head of the GovernmentDocuments Section at the State University of New York, College at Geneseo, is widely respected for his work with state and local government uublications. He has four books to his credit. the most recent of which is Changes in American Society, 1960-1978:An Annotated Bibliographyof Official GovernmentPublications (1980). Mr. Parish is currentlyworking on a bibliography of state documentsbibliographies. Robert Schaaf, Senior Specialist in United Nations and InternationalDocuments in the Serial and Government PublicationsDivision of the Library of Congress, is a national authority on the documentationof internationalgovernmentalorganizations. Mr. Schaaf is a frequent guest lecturer and is a column contributorto the International Journal of Legal Information.
The Editors
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NEWS FROM WASHINGTON LeRoy
C.
Schwarzkopf
P.O. Box 232, Greenbelt, NO 20770
CHIEF PRINTER QUITS IN ROW OVER GSA JOB The above headline appeared in the Washington Post on January 25, 1984 over a report that the Public Printer, Danford L. Sawyer, Jr. had announced his resignation on Wednesday, January 24 to be effective Friday, January 27. Details were confirmed by Mr. Sawyer during a 2 hour talk show on a Washington radio station (WRC-AM) the following Sunday morning which was hosted by Mike Causey, columnist of the Washington Post's "The Federal Diary." In the Washington Post of December 2, 1983 columnist Myron Struck reported that Mr. Sawyer was the Administration's choice to succeed General Services Administration (GSA) Administrator, Gerald P. Carmen who was resigning to join the Reagan-Bush reelection campaign, but who was subsequently offered the position of U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations' office in Geneva. In his radio appearance Mr. Sawyer stated that in early November he had been designated as President Reagan's choice to succeed Mr. Carmen, and that the Administration would have announced his nomination the following Saturday or He criticized Carmen for lobbying Monday had he not withdrawn his name. against his appointment. "It is strange that when the President makes a decision and that decision is known and transmitted... that people who are appointed by the Administration can't accept it and continue to snipe and do everything they possibly can to change the situation. That is not my view of the role of a political appointee." Carmen continued to lobby for three GSA supervisors, with his first choice being William A. Clinkscales, Jr., associate administrator for policy and management. Sawyer stated that he had his own preference for his successor (reported to be his former deputy, William J. Barrett). However, he "will support whomever the President names" whether he personally approves or not. Mr. Sawyer does not expect to return to Sarasota, Florida or stay in the He plans to continue his career in information resources Washington area. management, and had 2 or 3 offers which he was considering.
OMB REPORT ON ELIMINATION OF PUBLICATIONS A White House press conference on January 6, 1984 focused national attention on the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) "Second Annual Report of Eliminations, Consolidations, and Cost Reductions of Government Publications." The conference was held by Edwin Meese III, Counselor to the President, assisted by Joseph R. Wright, Jr., OMB Deputy Director. Coverage on network TV news and the national press featured the two with large plastic trash bags filled with copies of the unneeded publications that had been eliminated. In a "Statement to the Press...", Meese mentioned the following horrible examples: "How to Control Bed Bugs" (A1.35:453/4, 1976), "Nuts in Family Meals" (A1.77:176/2, reprint 1976), and "Controlling the Brown Recluse Spider"
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(A1.34:556/3, 1978). OMB Press Release OMB 84-2 dated January 6 also listed three small Department of Agriculture Leaflets (A1.34) or Home and Garden Bulletins (A1.77): "How to Control Bed Bugs", "Growing Ornamentals in Urban Gardens" (A1.77:188/2, 1977), and "How to Buy Eggs' (A1.77:144/3, 1977). Mr. Meese reported that an additional 1,800 pamphlets, brochures and periodicals had been eliminated raising the total to over 3,800 eliminations or one of every four publications, a total of 150 millions copies. The OMB report provided more information and along with a printout of "Terminations and Consolidations by Agency" (December 8, 1983) presented consolidated and cumulative information on the program initiated by OMB Bulletin 81-16, "Elimination of Wasteful Spending on Government Periodicals, Pamphlets, and Audiovisual Products.' The following caveat is in order before presenting summary statistics from the report and printout. This data applies only to those periodicals and recurring pamphlets which are required to be reported by agencies under OMB Bulletin 81-16. It does not represent the entire publishing activities of the executive branch, although it does report a sizeable (but unknown) percentage of such activities. Agencies reported that during the two year period 15,917 titles were printed, representing 1,010.8 million copies at a total cost of $167.2 million. The average cost per title was $10,508, and average cost per single copy was $0.17. A total of 3,848 titles were eliminated, and 3,070 other titles had other cost reduction actions such as consolidation, or reduction in frequency or in copies printed per issue. Savings of $38.3 millions were reported, or 22.9% of total cost.
OMB/GPO REVIEW OF PRINTING PLANTS Another topic which was reported at the White House-OMB press conference of January 6, 1984 was the results of the OMB/GPO review of federal printing plants and duplicating centers and the recommendation to close or downgrade In January 1983 OMB had with GPO technical assistance 275 facilities. initiated a survey of over 1,000 federal printing plants and duplicating centers. Although the Joint Committee on Printing (JCP) has responsibility for approving the establishment of field printing plants, it did not actively participate and gave grudging acknowledgement to this survey. The results of the survey were announced at an OMB press conference on November 1, 1983 in which there was participation by the Public Printer and a representative from the Printing Industries of America, a trade association of private sector printers, by not by JCP. Nowhere in the OMB report is JCP mentioned. It was announced that 229 facilities were recommended for closing, and another 46 for downgrading for savings of $51,363,000 in FY 1985 and elimination of 2,171 positions. The Department of Defense accounted for the largest number of facilities (93), dollars savings ($19,495,000), and positions (1,063). The Department of Agriculture accounted for the next largest number of facilities (66) and positions (190). The General Services Administration ranked fourth in number of facilities (17), but second in savings ($8,705,000), and third in positions (157). In December 1983 OMB released the list of the 275 facilities. Of the 46 "downgrading" actions, actual recommendations were as follows: "downgrade to duplicating facility" - 17; "increase commercial procurement" - 23; "contractor operate" - 5; and "consolidate" - 1. It was impossible in most cases to determine whether the facilities were "printing plants" or "duplicating centers." JCP has approved 234 "printing plants', and it was impossible to determine how many in this category were affected. The reported savings are to be accomplished by contracting printing requirements to the private sector. The OMB report concluded that the "majority of the presses in use were being operated at around one-third
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capacity and producing routine printing at a cost of more than three times that charged by commercial printers now on contract to GPO." GPO intends to make it easier for agencies to contract their printing needs by giving them the option of working directly with private contractors through "agency direct-deal/contractor direct-bill" contract arrangements for single awards.
REVISED JCP PRINTING AND BINDING REGULATIONS On November 11, 1983 the Chairman of the Joint Committee on Printing, Augustus Hawkins (D.-Cal.) inserted in the Congressional Record for comment revised (retitled) "Government Printing, Binding and Distribution Regulations, No. 25" (pp. H9710-H9713). Briefings on the revised regulations at the American Library Association Midwinter Meeting in January by JCP staff member Bernadine Hoduski and JCP General Counsel Anthony Zagami confirmed my evaluation that JCP was trying to accomplish by regulations what it had failed to do by the legislative process during the 96th Congress in its Title 44 and revision effort: to expand the definitions of printing, binding, publications to mean publishing and information dissemination in all formats and by all means, including electronic automated data bases. However, printed publications are but one facet of information dissemination, and not the whole ball of wax. revision is a In his introduction Hawkins states that a principal "redefinition of printing that eliminates the distinction between copying, duplicating, and printing and which includes new processes and procedures for In electronically capturing, reproducing, and distributing information.' revised Title I, "printing " is defined as "all systems, processes and equipment used to plan and to develop the form and style of an original reproducible image...' The term "Government publication" means "any textual or graphic representation printed or otherwise reproduced, in whole or in part with appropriated funds, or as authorized by law, for distribution to "the The term "distribution" means departments or to the public." dissemination of Government publications or information to users... through such means as sales, users fees or free dissemination programs, including the electronic transfer of an original reproducible image." The term "publishing" is used frequently in connection with JCP responsiblities, and the term "information" is used as a synonym for "publication." The term "publication" is intended to include not only "printed" information materials but also databases or electronically transmitted information. OMB Director David A. Stockman submitted comments to Chairman Hawkins in a letter dated December 12, 1983 in which he stated he had 'major reservations' He concluded that the "expanded roles of JCP... create about the revisions. literally applied the an information monopoly at GPO", and that "if regulations would not permit the President to issue a press release, or the Supreme Court to issue an opinion, except through GPO and with the approval of JCP.' This conclusion derived from provisions in Title V that 'departments shall use the services of the Superintendent of Documents... to initially and subsequently distribute all Government publications outside of a department." In closing Stockman wrote that "we are presently studying the legal ramifications of the proposed revision and are consulting with the Department of Justice." He was apparently referring to the "separation of powers" issue, which was brought to the forefront recently by the Supreme Court decision in Chadha which struck down the Immigration and Naturalization Service v. legislative veto. Congress is a policy making body which makes the law; the Executive Branch executes the law. Stockman was also probably referring to the Brooks Act (P.L. 89-306) and the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (P.L. 96-511) which give OMB primary responsible in the area of computers and information dissemination policy. I have not learned the comments of the House Committee on Government Operations which is responsible for information
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policy and stonewalled Title 44 revision in 1980 when JCP invaded its turf. The Washington Times reported the Stockman reply on December 30, 1983 under the headline '%tockman rips GPO rules change." It stated that a senior publications officer at one Cabinet department called the JCP revision a "power grab" and a "threat to the First Amendment." Meanwhile, OMB plans to expand its own turf in the information policy area through regulations. On September 12, it published a notice in the Federal Register that it planned to develop a policy circular on federal information management, suggested 16 issues that might be incorporated, and asked for public comment. (PP. 40964-s) In a letter of comment to JCP Chairman Hawkins, dated December 15, 1983 the ALA Washington Office strongly supported the proposed revisions since they would provide an increased amount and types of information formats to depository libraries. However, the letter noted one reservation, which was also expressed by depository librarians at ALA Midwinter in regard to paragraph 7(b), Title V that "depository libraries shall provide service to the general public that is comparable to the service provided to the library's primary clientele." The ALA Washington Office wrote it supports this "in so far as comparable service is interpreted to mean primarily reference service. However, we are concerned that comparable service which includes borrowing privileges could create problems for depository libraries." JCP staff member Bernadine Hoduski would interpret "comparable servicen to include circulation. However, I would interpret such comparable circulation service to require comparable identification and financial responsibility for non-regular clientele have a library card.
MAP AND CHART NEWS The United States Geological Survey (USGS) announced in the Federal Register on December 14, 1983 an increase in the price of maps of approximately 10%. The price of standard topographic quadrangle maps increased from $2.00 to $2.25 effective January 1, 1984. New prices for other maps will be found on pages 55640 and 55641. USGS will also institute a postage and handling surcharge on orders less than $10. This increases the value to depository libraries of the new map distribution program, which is scheduled for implementation in early 1984. In other map news, the Department of Commerce which already has considered turning over its satellites and weather forecasting services to the private sector is now studying whether to contract out virtually all of the chartmaking activities in the National Ocean Survey (NOS). On December 30, 1983 the Washington Post reported that a confidential study by the private accounting firm of Arthur Young & Co. had recommended that the Nautical Charts Branch be abolished along with its 155 positions. The Branch maintains 930 overlapping nautical charts of the coastal waters of the United States and its possessions. On January 10, 1984 the Post reported that another study by Arthur Young & Co. had recommended that NOS also contract out the creation and maintenance of aeronautical charts. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Assistant Administrator, James W. Winchester was reported as supporting these proposals. In specific response to these developments, on January 26, 1984 Rep. Michael A. Andrews (D,-Tex.) introduced an amendment to H.R. 3597, the Atmospheric, Climatic, and Ocean Research Act of 1983 that directs NOAA to notify Congress and wait 45 daya before contracting out any function or activity presently performed by Federal vote of 257 to 124, employees. The amendment passed by a recorded ( Congressional Record,pp. H180-H185)
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STATE AND LOCAL BYWAYS David W. Parish 5 Crossett Road, Geneseo, New York, 14454
The Director of the American Library AssociationWashington Office recently rebuked the radical nature of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget proposals to limit federal governmentinformation. Eileen Cooke reminded the OMB that %any Federal agencies are mandated by legislation to disseminateinformationto the public." Fortunatelythis trend of limiting public informationor requiring the public and librariesto pay for data in the public's domain has not spread to state documents. In fact, there are signs that the states will take a more active role in support of libraries and government-generated information. Anita R. and Herbert Schiller in their importantarticle on 'who Can Gwn What America Knows?" (NATION,April 17, 1982) accused the InformationIndustry Associationof actively promoting the privatization of federal documents. The provate sector might pose a threat to state governmentinformationof the future although an ample profit market seems to be lacking. Perhaps state governmentsare closer to their citizens and, thus, more responsiveto them. "State and Local Byways" will provide discussionof such national trends while includingnews from individualstates and localitiesas its scope. Special techniquesand practices of interest to document librarianswill be described. In addition, selectivereviews of outstanding state documentswill be included to supplementthe annual Notable DocumentsSection appearing in the "GovernmentPublicationsReview." Returningto the national scene, the Council of State Governments recently celebratedits 50th anniversaryas a research and service agency to the states. A celebrationfrom December 4-7 in Lexington,Kentucky was presided over by ConnecticutRepresentativeTimothy J. Moynihan CGS Chairman,and hosted by Governor John Y. Brown of the Bluegrass State. The Council, along with members of the LegislativeResearch Librarian'sSection of the National Conferenceof State Legislatures, recently endorsed structuraland functionalchanges in the Interstate DocumentsExchange (IDE). Created in 1957, the Exchange is administered by the Council snd serves as the central depositoryand leading agency for state documentsreceived through the program. Accordingto a survey directed by Marilyn Guttromsonof the North Dakota LegislativeCouncil, participantsprefer to select state documents on an exchange basis from other states rather than receiving mass mailings of whatever titles other states chose to send. Most states naturally object to the expense involved in sending titles to all other states. Bibliographies,checklists,and acquisitionlists were thought the most importantcategories for all to receive. The Council~s "State GovernmentResearch Checklist"of October 1983 provides a representativeidea of state documents exchange by Legislative
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Libraries. There were 164 titles listed including several from non-state agencies as the U.S. General Accounting Office and the ConferenceBoard. The improved format for the "Checklist,"begun in 1983, continues to enhance its use. From a total of 164 documents in the October issue, performancesaudits and related studies comprised 37 titles, legal guides and handbooks 15, statisticaland data references10, planning and projection studies 10, with the majority of 88 other documents comprisingissue papers or indepth studies of a social, economic, or environmentalproblem. Educational and environmentalsubjects were most often included. Ironically,the categoriesof directories/bibliographic materials,most desired by the Legislativelibrarians,provided only four titles. Another major Council of State Government'slate 1983 project included the third edition of "State Bluebooks and Reference Publications, a Selected Bibliography"(63 pages, $15.00. ISBN O-87292-038-0). Updating the two previous editions of 1972 and 1974, arrangementis by state and territory followed by six broad categories: general reference works, bluebooks,legislativemanuals, directories,statisticalabstracts, and other reference works. Unfortusntelynone of these titles are abstracted and there is no rationale for inclusion or omission of titles. Leaving behind the national scene, some scatterednotes from the states finds that Tennessee Document librarians sponsoredan interestingconference on "State Documents Depository Laws and Libraries - a Plan for Action." The Gatlinburgmeeting indicatedthat Tennessee is no exceptionto a statewide lack of bibliographiccontrol, lack of accessibility,and overall lack of availability. GovernmentDocuments/LawLibrarian Stephen A. Patrick of East Tennessee State University commented that Tennessee'sDepository law is actually unenforceable. Patrick noted that Oklahoma has passed a mandamus clause making complianceby all agency heads in the issuance and distributionof state publicationsrequired. Louisiana,on the other hand, has created different levels of status for depositorylibraries full, selected, and limited. Louisiana has compiled a list of documents that might be included as a core collection for depositories. Even the five Tennessee state depositories,although required by law to receive two copies of all state publications,fall far short of the mark in comprehensiveness. Patrick outlined needs for a State clearinghouse,the issuance of a more comprehensivelist of state publications,the creation of an on-line authority file, the naming of more depositoriesfor balanced geographical distribution,and the compilationof a %ore" of Tennessee reference documents. That state bibliographiccontrol is both changing and improvingwas noted by Margaret Lane and the American Library AssociationGODORT Committee of Eight, State and Local Documents Task Force. In a brief survey of the states, the Task Force found seven issuing a state document checklist of microfiche: Delaware, Michigan, Minnesota,Nebraska, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. Six other states plan microfiche lists of their documents in the near future: Colorado,Kansas, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Alabama, and Iowa. In addition New York State issues an annual microfiche listing of periodicals. Colorado'sannual index will be completedwith use of OCLC tapes. Kay Young of the Universityof Alabama Library, Huntsville,helped "unscatter"state and local document bibliographyin the May 1983 issue of "Documentsto the People". (AmericanLibrary Association,GovernmentDocument Rountable)Thirty-three1980 to 1982 books and articles were compiled including a useful local document study co-authoredby Susan F. Berman and Karen A. Taylor on "MunicipalPublicationsin the Public Library: Guidelines for Collectionand Organization." The authors are associated
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with the South County System of Westerly, Rhode Island. Locally speaking, the Hew York City Board of Education released a free Winter 1984 "Catlaog of Curriculum Publications.," Over 150 separate curriculum guide are included with two on a timely subject - computer literacy in the schools. Both are based on Logo language with elementary and senior high levels included. There are also some outstanding bilingual core curriculum guides offered including "Jews Among the Early Explorers and Settlers of the Americas" and "Contributions of the ItalisnAmericans to the United States," both designed for Fourth Grade use. The State of Texas certainly has no scattered efforts with state documents, thanks to its "Public Documents Highlights From Texas." Published by the State Publication's Clearinghouse, a feature of the Winter 1983 issue included a feature article on "State Documents are Recorded Too." Several useful state publications for those who cannot read have been recorded. Examples of the titles include "Insurance Problems of the Elderly and Handicapped Texsns, ' "New Texas Laws of Interest to the Handicapped," and even the "Texas Drivers Handbook." Every day for the past five years, volunteers have spent hours at the Texas State Library recording materials for Texans who cannot read print. Patrons can also request the documents that they need. Documents to the people through sound recordings - a great idea for every state! Finally each issue of "State and Local BywaysIIwill highlight examples of notable documents. The following were submitted to "Documents to the People of New York State" for the November 1983 issue by Henry Ilnicki, Senior Librarian, Gift and Exchange, New York State Library, Albany. Readers from other states are invited to submit nominations from their states. 1983 Notable Documents From the State of New York "Checklist of Official Publications of the State of New York January 1968 - December 1973: a Cumulation...Volumes 20-27" Albany, New York State Library, 1983. 303PP. $5.00 This bibliographic tool eliminates the need to scan annual cumulations issued from 1968 through 1971 and the monthly issues released in 1972 and 1973. Coverage includes all publications received by the New York State Library. Unlike the two previous cumulations, this issue cites all depository items and non-depository items available at any time from the State Library. Any library interested in New York State documents should have a copy in their document's reference section. "Directory of Services for Victims of Domestic Violence in New York State." Albany, Department of Social Services, 1983. 78pp. Free. Designed to assist victims in obtaining direct and ancillary assistance, the Directory is arranged by county. In addition to State Police, national hotlines are listed. "Ineffective Prescription Drugs in New York State. Albany, State Legislature, Assembly. Committee on Oversight, Analysis, and Investigation, 1983. 44pp. Free. Since 1962 the Federal Food and Drug Administration has established efficiency standards but has not established successflilly removed these drugs from the market. The Committee concluded that consumption of less than effective drugs was widespread. This Report states reasons for their recommendations.
Q277-9390/84$3.00 +.OO (c) 1984 Pergamon Press Ltd
INFORMATIONUPDATE
GovernmentPublicationsReview is pleased to inauguratewith this issue a news feature entitled, "InformationUpdate." In these pages, three of the most prominent practitionersin their respective fields of governmentpublications will regularly provide the readers of GPR with news of important developmentsin the field of government infostion. "InformationUpdate" will appear as camera-readytypescriptto provide the reader with news which is as current as possible. In each issue, LeRoy Schwarzkopfwill keep readers in touch with events which affect the informationdisseminationand publicationactivitiesof the United States government in his "News from Washington" column. Until his retirement in 1983, Mr. Schwarzkopfwas Head of the GovernmentDocuments and Maps Unit at the University of Maryland and served as Editor of Documents to the People from 1978 to 1982. He regularly contributesthe governmentdocuments column in Booklist and is currently completingwork on the 1982-1983edition of GovernmentReference Books: A Biennial Guide to the U.S. GovernmentPublications. In alternatingissues, David Parish will cover news concerningstate and local documents in his column "State and Local Byways," and Robert Schaaf will summarizenews of the informationactivitiesof internationalintergovernmental organizationsin "InternationalOrganizationsNews." Mr. Parish, Head of the GovernmentDocuments Section at the State University of New York, College at Geneseo, is widely respected for his work with state and local government uublications. He has four books to his credit. the most recent of which is Changes in American Society, 1960-1978:An Annotated Bibliographyof Official GovernmentPublications (1980). Mr. Parish is currentlyworking on a bibliography of state documentsbibliographies. Robert Schaaf, Senior Specialist in United Nations and InternationalDocuments in the Serial and Government PublicationsDivision of the Library of Congress, is a national authority on the documentationof internationalgovernmentalorganizations. Mr. Schaaf is a frequent guest lecturer and is a column contributorto the International Journal of Legal Information.
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NEWS FROM WASHINGTON LeRoy
C.
Schwarzkopf
P.O. Box 232, Greenbelt, NO 20770
CHIEF PRINTER QUITS IN ROW OVER GSA JOB The above headline appeared in the Washington Post on January 25, 1984 over a report that the Public Printer, Danford L. Sawyer, Jr. had announced his resignation on Wednesday, January 24 to be effective Friday, January 27. Details were confirmed by Mr. Sawyer during a 2 hour talk show on a Washington radio station (WRC-AM) the following Sunday morning which was hosted by Mike Causey, columnist of the Washington Post's "The Federal Diary." In the Washington Post of December 2, 1983 columnist Myron Struck reported that Mr. Sawyer was the Administration's choice to succeed General Services Administration (GSA) Administrator, Gerald P. Carmen who was resigning to join the Reagan-Bush reelection campaign, but who was subsequently offered the position of U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations' office in Geneva. In his radio appearance Mr. Sawyer stated that in early November he had been designated as President Reagan's choice to succeed Mr. Carmen, and that the Administration would have announced his nomination the following Saturday or He criticized Carmen for lobbying Monday had he not withdrawn his name. against his appointment. "It is strange that when the President makes a decision and that decision is known and transmitted... that people who are appointed by the Administration can't accept it and continue to snipe and do everything they possibly can to change the situation. That is not my view of the role of a political appointee." Carmen continued to lobby for three GSA supervisors, with his first choice being William A. Clinkscales, Jr., associate administrator for policy and management. Sawyer stated that he had his own preference for his successor (reported to be his former deputy, William J. Barrett). However, he "will support whomever the President names" whether he personally approves or not. Mr. Sawyer does not expect to return to Sarasota, Florida or stay in the He plans to continue his career in information resources Washington area. management, and had 2 or 3 offers which he was considering.
OMB REPORT ON ELIMINATION OF PUBLICATIONS A White House press conference on January 6, 1984 focused national attention on the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) "Second Annual Report of Eliminations, Consolidations, and Cost Reductions of Government Publications." The conference was held by Edwin Meese III, Counselor to the President, assisted by Joseph R. Wright, Jr., OMB Deputy Director. Coverage on network TV news and the national press featured the two with large plastic trash bags filled with copies of the unneeded publications that had been eliminated. In a "Statement to the Press...", Meese mentioned the following horrible examples: "How to Control Bed Bugs" (A1.35:453/4, 1976), "Nuts in Family Meals" (A1.77:176/2, reprint 1976), and "Controlling the Brown Recluse Spider"
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(A1.34:556/3, 1978). OMB Press Release OMB 84-2 dated January 6 also listed three small Department of Agriculture Leaflets (A1.34) or Home and Garden Bulletins (A1.77): "How to Control Bed Bugs", "Growing Ornamentals in Urban Gardens" (A1.77:188/2, 1977), and "How to Buy Eggs' (A1.77:144/3, 1977). Mr. Meese reported that an additional 1,800 pamphlets, brochures and periodicals had been eliminated raising the total to over 3,800 eliminations or one of every four publications, a total of 150 millions copies. The OMB report provided more information and along with a printout of "Terminations and Consolidations by Agency" (December 8, 1983) presented consolidated and cumulative information on the program initiated by OMB Bulletin 81-16, "Elimination of Wasteful Spending on Government Periodicals, Pamphlets, and Audiovisual Products.' The following caveat is in order before presenting summary statistics from the report and printout. This data applies only to those periodicals and recurring pamphlets which are required to be reported by agencies under OMB Bulletin 81-16. It does not represent the entire publishing activities of the executive branch, although it does report a sizeable (but unknown) percentage of such activities. Agencies reported that during the two year period 15,917 titles were printed, representing 1,010.8 million copies at a total cost of $167.2 million. The average cost per title was $10,508, and average cost per single copy was $0.17. A total of 3,848 titles were eliminated, and 3,070 other titles had other cost reduction actions such as consolidation, or reduction in frequency or in copies printed per issue. Savings of $38.3 millions were reported, or 22.9% of total cost.
OMB/GPO REVIEW OF PRINTING PLANTS Another topic which was reported at the White House-OMB press conference of January 6, 1984 was the results of the OMB/GPO review of federal printing plants and duplicating centers and the recommendation to close or downgrade In January 1983 OMB had with GPO technical assistance 275 facilities. initiated a survey of over 1,000 federal printing plants and duplicating centers. Although the Joint Committee on Printing (JCP) has responsibility for approving the establishment of field printing plants, it did not actively participate and gave grudging acknowledgement to this survey. The results of the survey were announced at an OMB press conference on November 1, 1983 in which there was participation by the Public Printer and a representative from the Printing Industries of America, a trade association of private sector printers, by not by JCP. Nowhere in the OMB report is JCP mentioned. It was announced that 229 facilities were recommended for closing, and another 46 for downgrading for savings of $51,363,000 in FY 1985 and elimination of 2,171 positions. The Department of Defense accounted for the largest number of facilities (93), dollars savings ($19,495,000), and positions (1,063). The Department of Agriculture accounted for the next largest number of facilities (66) and positions (190). The General Services Administration ranked fourth in number of facilities (17), but second in savings ($8,705,000), and third in positions (157). In December 1983 OMB released the list of the 275 facilities. Of the 46 "downgrading" actions, actual recommendations were as follows: "downgrade to duplicating facility" - 17; "increase commercial procurement" - 23; "contractor operate" - 5; and "consolidate" - 1. It was impossible in most cases to determine whether the facilities were "printing plants" or "duplicating centers." JCP has approved 234 "printing plants', and it was impossible to determine how many in this category were affected. The reported savings are to be accomplished by contracting printing requirements to the private sector. The OMB report concluded that the "majority of the presses in use were being operated at around one-third
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capacity and producing routine printing at a cost of more than three times that charged by commercial printers now on contract to GPO." GPO intends to make it easier for agencies to contract their printing needs by giving them the option of working directly with private contractors through "agency direct-deal/contractor direct-bill" contract arrangements for single awards.
REVISED JCP PRINTING AND BINDING REGULATIONS On November 11, 1983 the Chairman of the Joint Committee on Printing, Augustus Hawkins (D.-Cal.) inserted in the Congressional Record for comment revised (retitled) "Government Printing, Binding and Distribution Regulations, No. 25" (pp. H9710-H9713). Briefings on the revised regulations at the American Library Association Midwinter Meeting in January by JCP staff member Bernadine Hoduski and JCP General Counsel Anthony Zagami confirmed my evaluation that JCP was trying to accomplish by regulations what it had failed to do by the legislative process during the 96th Congress in its Title 44 and revision effort: to expand the definitions of printing, binding, publications to mean publishing and information dissemination in all formats and by all means, including electronic automated data bases. However, printed publications are but one facet of information dissemination, and not the whole ball of wax. revision is a In his introduction Hawkins states that a principal "redefinition of printing that eliminates the distinction between copying, duplicating, and printing and which includes new processes and procedures for In electronically capturing, reproducing, and distributing information.' revised Title I, "printing " is defined as "all systems, processes and equipment used to plan and to develop the form and style of an original reproducible image...' The term "Government publication" means "any textual or graphic representation printed or otherwise reproduced, in whole or in part with appropriated funds, or as authorized by law, for distribution to "the The term "distribution" means departments or to the public." dissemination of Government publications or information to users... through such means as sales, users fees or free dissemination programs, including the electronic transfer of an original reproducible image." The term "publishing" is used frequently in connection with JCP responsiblities, and the term "information" is used as a synonym for "publication." The term "publication" is intended to include not only "printed" information materials but also databases or electronically transmitted information. OMB Director David A. Stockman submitted comments to Chairman Hawkins in a letter dated December 12, 1983 in which he stated he had 'major reservations' He concluded that the "expanded roles of JCP... create about the revisions. literally applied the an information monopoly at GPO", and that "if regulations would not permit the President to issue a press release, or the Supreme Court to issue an opinion, except through GPO and with the approval of JCP.' This conclusion derived from provisions in Title V that 'departments shall use the services of the Superintendent of Documents... to initially and subsequently distribute all Government publications outside of a department." In closing Stockman wrote that "we are presently studying the legal ramifications of the proposed revision and are consulting with the Department of Justice." He was apparently referring to the "separation of powers" issue, which was brought to the forefront recently by the Supreme Court decision in Chadha which struck down the Immigration and Naturalization Service v. legislative veto. Congress is a policy making body which makes the law; the Executive Branch executes the law. Stockman was also probably referring to the Brooks Act (P.L. 89-306) and the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (P.L. 96-511) which give OMB primary responsible in the area of computers and information dissemination policy. I have not learned the comments of the House Committee on Government Operations which is responsible for information
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policy and stonewalled Title 44 revision in 1980 when JCP invaded its turf. The Washington Times reported the Stockman reply on December 30, 1983 under the headline '%tockman rips GPO rules change." It stated that a senior publications officer at one Cabinet department called the JCP revision a "power grab" and a "threat to the First Amendment." Meanwhile, OMB plans to expand its own turf in the information policy area through regulations. On September 12, it published a notice in the Federal Register that it planned to develop a policy circular on federal information management, suggested 16 issues that might be incorporated, and asked for public comment. (PP. 40964-s) In a letter of comment to JCP Chairman Hawkins, dated December 15, 1983 the ALA Washington Office strongly supported the proposed revisions since they would provide an increased amount and types of information formats to depository libraries. However, the letter noted one reservation, which was also expressed by depository librarians at ALA Midwinter in regard to paragraph 7(b), Title V that "depository libraries shall provide service to the general public that is comparable to the service provided to the library's primary clientele." The ALA Washington Office wrote it supports this "in so far as comparable service is interpreted to mean primarily reference service. However, we are concerned that comparable service which includes borrowing privileges could create problems for depository libraries." JCP staff member Bernadine Hoduski would interpret "comparable servicen to include circulation. However, I would interpret such comparable circulation service to require comparable identification and financial responsibility for non-regular clientele have a library card.
MAP AND CHART NEWS The United States Geological Survey (USGS) announced in the Federal Register on December 14, 1983 an increase in the price of maps of approximately 10%. The price of standard topographic quadrangle maps increased from $2.00 to $2.25 effective January 1, 1984. New prices for other maps will be found on pages 55640 and 55641. USGS will also institute a postage and handling surcharge on orders less than $10. This increases the value to depository libraries of the new map distribution program, which is scheduled for implementation in early 1984. In other map news, the Department of Commerce which already has considered turning over its satellites and weather forecasting services to the private sector is now studying whether to contract out virtually all of the chartmaking activities in the National Ocean Survey (NOS). On December 30, 1983 the Washington Post reported that a confidential study by the private accounting firm of Arthur Young & Co. had recommended that the Nautical Charts Branch be abolished along with its 155 positions. The Branch maintains 930 overlapping nautical charts of the coastal waters of the United States and its possessions. On January 10, 1984 the Post reported that another study by Arthur Young & Co. had recommended that NOS also contract out the creation and maintenance of aeronautical charts. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Assistant Administrator, James W. Winchester was reported as supporting these proposals. In specific response to these developments, on January 26, 1984 Rep. Michael A. Andrews (D,-Tex.) introduced an amendment to H.R. 3597, the Atmospheric, Climatic, and Ocean Research Act of 1983 that directs NOAA to notify Congress and wait 45 daya before contracting out any function or activity presently performed by Federal vote of 257 to 124, employees. The amendment passed by a recorded ( Congressional Record,pp. H180-H185)
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STATE AND LOCAL BYWAYS David W. Parish 5 Crossett Road, Geneseo, New York, 14454
The Director of the American Library AssociationWashington Office recently rebuked the radical nature of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget proposals to limit federal governmentinformation. Eileen Cooke reminded the OMB that %any Federal agencies are mandated by legislation to disseminateinformationto the public." Fortunatelythis trend of limiting public informationor requiring the public and librariesto pay for data in the public's domain has not spread to state documents. In fact, there are signs that the states will take a more active role in support of libraries and government-generated information. Anita R. and Herbert Schiller in their importantarticle on 'who Can Gwn What America Knows?" (NATION,April 17, 1982) accused the InformationIndustry Associationof actively promoting the privatization of federal documents. The provate sector might pose a threat to state governmentinformationof the future although an ample profit market seems to be lacking. Perhaps state governmentsare closer to their citizens and, thus, more responsiveto them. "State and Local Byways" will provide discussionof such national trends while includingnews from individualstates and localitiesas its scope. Special techniquesand practices of interest to document librarianswill be described. In addition, selectivereviews of outstanding state documentswill be included to supplementthe annual Notable DocumentsSection appearing in the "GovernmentPublicationsReview." Returningto the national scene, the Council of State Governments recently celebratedits 50th anniversaryas a research and service agency to the states. A celebrationfrom December 4-7 in Lexington,Kentucky was presided over by ConnecticutRepresentativeTimothy J. Moynihan CGS Chairman,and hosted by Governor John Y. Brown of the Bluegrass State. The Council, along with members of the LegislativeResearch Librarian'sSection of the National Conferenceof State Legislatures, recently endorsed structuraland functionalchanges in the Interstate DocumentsExchange (IDE). Created in 1957, the Exchange is administered by the Council snd serves as the central depositoryand leading agency for state documentsreceived through the program. Accordingto a survey directed by Marilyn Guttromsonof the North Dakota LegislativeCouncil, participantsprefer to select state documents on an exchange basis from other states rather than receiving mass mailings of whatever titles other states chose to send. Most states naturally object to the expense involved in sending titles to all other states. Bibliographies,checklists,and acquisitionlists were thought the most importantcategories for all to receive. The Council~s "State GovernmentResearch Checklist"of October 1983 provides a representativeidea of state documents exchange by Legislative
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Libraries. There were 164 titles listed including several from non-state agencies as the U.S. General Accounting Office and the ConferenceBoard. The improved format for the "Checklist,"begun in 1983, continues to enhance its use. From a total of 164 documents in the October issue, performancesaudits and related studies comprised 37 titles, legal guides and handbooks 15, statisticaland data references10, planning and projection studies 10, with the majority of 88 other documents comprisingissue papers or indepth studies of a social, economic, or environmentalproblem. Educational and environmentalsubjects were most often included. Ironically,the categoriesof directories/bibliographic materials,most desired by the Legislativelibrarians,provided only four titles. Another major Council of State Government'slate 1983 project included the third edition of "State Bluebooks and Reference Publications, a Selected Bibliography"(63 pages, $15.00. ISBN O-87292-038-0). Updating the two previous editions of 1972 and 1974, arrangementis by state and territory followed by six broad categories: general reference works, bluebooks,legislativemanuals, directories,statisticalabstracts, and other reference works. Unfortusntelynone of these titles are abstracted and there is no rationale for inclusion or omission of titles. Leaving behind the national scene, some scatterednotes from the states finds that Tennessee Document librarians sponsoredan interestingconference on "State Documents Depository Laws and Libraries - a Plan for Action." The Gatlinburgmeeting indicatedthat Tennessee is no exceptionto a statewide lack of bibliographiccontrol, lack of accessibility,and overall lack of availability. GovernmentDocuments/LawLibrarian Stephen A. Patrick of East Tennessee State University commented that Tennessee'sDepository law is actually unenforceable. Patrick noted that Oklahoma has passed a mandamus clause making complianceby all agency heads in the issuance and distributionof state publicationsrequired. Louisiana,on the other hand, has created different levels of status for depositorylibraries full, selected, and limited. Louisiana has compiled a list of documents that might be included as a core collection for depositories. Even the five Tennessee state depositories,although required by law to receive two copies of all state publications,fall far short of the mark in comprehensiveness. Patrick outlined needs for a State clearinghouse,the issuance of a more comprehensivelist of state publications,the creation of an on-line authority file, the naming of more depositoriesfor balanced geographical distribution,and the compilationof a %ore" of Tennessee reference documents. That state bibliographiccontrol is both changing and improvingwas noted by Margaret Lane and the American Library AssociationGODORT Committee of Eight, State and Local Documents Task Force. In a brief survey of the states, the Task Force found seven issuing a state document checklist of microfiche: Delaware, Michigan, Minnesota,Nebraska, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. Six other states plan microfiche lists of their documents in the near future: Colorado,Kansas, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Alabama, and Iowa. In addition New York State issues an annual microfiche listing of periodicals. Colorado'sannual index will be completedwith use of OCLC tapes. Kay Young of the Universityof Alabama Library, Huntsville,helped "unscatter"state and local document bibliographyin the May 1983 issue of "Documentsto the People". (AmericanLibrary Association,GovernmentDocument Rountable)Thirty-three1980 to 1982 books and articles were compiled including a useful local document study co-authoredby Susan F. Berman and Karen A. Taylor on "MunicipalPublicationsin the Public Library: Guidelines for Collectionand Organization." The authors are associated
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with the South County System of Westerly, Rhode Island. Locally speaking, the Hew York City Board of Education released a free Winter 1984 "Catlaog of Curriculum Publications.," Over 150 separate curriculum guide are included with two on a timely subject - computer literacy in the schools. Both are based on Logo language with elementary and senior high levels included. There are also some outstanding bilingual core curriculum guides offered including "Jews Among the Early Explorers and Settlers of the Americas" and "Contributions of the ItalisnAmericans to the United States," both designed for Fourth Grade use. The State of Texas certainly has no scattered efforts with state documents, thanks to its "Public Documents Highlights From Texas." Published by the State Publication's Clearinghouse, a feature of the Winter 1983 issue included a feature article on "State Documents are Recorded Too." Several useful state publications for those who cannot read have been recorded. Examples of the titles include "Insurance Problems of the Elderly and Handicapped Texsns, ' "New Texas Laws of Interest to the Handicapped," and even the "Texas Drivers Handbook." Every day for the past five years, volunteers have spent hours at the Texas State Library recording materials for Texans who cannot read print. Patrons can also request the documents that they need. Documents to the people through sound recordings - a great idea for every state! Finally each issue of "State and Local BywaysIIwill highlight examples of notable documents. The following were submitted to "Documents to the People of New York State" for the November 1983 issue by Henry Ilnicki, Senior Librarian, Gift and Exchange, New York State Library, Albany. Readers from other states are invited to submit nominations from their states. 1983 Notable Documents From the State of New York "Checklist of Official Publications of the State of New York January 1968 - December 1973: a Cumulation...Volumes 20-27" Albany, New York State Library, 1983. 303PP. $5.00 This bibliographic tool eliminates the need to scan annual cumulations issued from 1968 through 1971 and the monthly issues released in 1972 and 1973. Coverage includes all publications received by the New York State Library. Unlike the two previous cumulations, this issue cites all depository items and non-depository items available at any time from the State Library. Any library interested in New York State documents should have a copy in their document's reference section. "Directory of Services for Victims of Domestic Violence in New York State." Albany, Department of Social Services, 1983. 78pp. Free. Designed to assist victims in obtaining direct and ancillary assistance, the Directory is arranged by county. In addition to State Police, national hotlines are listed. "Ineffective Prescription Drugs in New York State. Albany, State Legislature, Assembly. Committee on Oversight, Analysis, and Investigation, 1983. 44pp. Free. Since 1962 the Federal Food and Drug Administration has established efficiency standards but has not established successflilly removed these drugs from the market. The Committee concluded that consumption of less than effective drugs was widespread. This Report states reasons for their recommendations.