- Email: [email protected]
State and local byways
Information Update
383
STATE AND LOCAL BYWAYS David W. Parish 5 Croesett Road Geneseo, New York
14454
THE NEW FEDERALISM: A BOON FOR STATE DOCUHENTS? Several recent studies by the Urban and Reqional Center at Princeton University, the Coalition of Block Grants and Human Needs, and the National Governor's Association suggest that social issues are receiving a more favorable response from state and local officials than fror the Reagan This situation would seem to act as a positive factor for Administration. Several typical examples include the California state publications. Legislature's "Public Hearing... in the Uatter of liobile Amusement Ride Safety for Carnivale" (Sacramento. 1984) and a Hawaii Department of Health (Honolulu, 1984). Both of these "Study on the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome" subjects on social problens recently have been of little interest to the federal government. The "New York Times" of Sunday May 19, 1985 noted "that in the past few weeks, while Congress has been debating how much to cut federal spending on dorestic social programs, state legislatures around the country have been taking steps to increase state spending on education, health care for the This paradox is further poor, and housing assistance to homeless people." emphasized by: 1. Local and state governments joining civil rights groups in defending the quota system. 2. Twenty-nine states showing an interest in the idea that men and women should be paid the same for equal Jobs that require comparable skills. 3. State officials pressing the federal government to be more aggreeive in regulating environmental problems. include new and expanded programs, will require These state efforts, well-organized, carefully researched reports for background documentation. Perhaps the new federalism will have a silver lining as a positive motivation for state programs. subsequently, and their publications. S. 796 A THREAT TO THE DOCUMENT COMHUNITY Some silver linings are lost between the dark clouds. As part of the National Bureau of Standard's Authorization Act of 1986 (S.796, H.R. 1617), there is a section titled "National Technical Information Service." This seeningly routine heading to reauthorize NTIS funding carries a serious threat for the Federal Depository System. The nature of the language in S. 796 would allow the National Technical Information Service (NTIS) to create a eysten for printing and distributing material parallel to that of the
Information Update
384
Government Printing Office. By law, NTIS distributes materials only on a cost recovery basis. According to the Anereican Library Association Government Document Roundtable representative Richard Leacy of the Georgia Institute of Technology, "having NTIS become the sole source of publications from executive agencies would destroy the Depository Library Program." This law would certainly have an indirect, yet negative influence Qn the There are few libraries with so integrity of state document collections. strong a state collection that would survive independently of federal documents. Often these two types supplement each other in reference and research v&lue. Readers are urged to study both the Senate bill and H.R. 1617 which has removed the obJectionable proposal as a Joint Committee prepares to study compromise action. REYNOLDS SURVEYS COBWUNICATION APPROACHES USED BY STATE DEPOSITORIES Ton Reynolds, consultant to the Colorado State Publications Depository and Distribution Center recently completed a survey of communication techniques used by 18 western state depository systems. Br. Reynolds kindly granted permission for his original findings to be outlined in "State and Local Byways." In February the Center asked 18 western states to fill out a 6 question survey reviewing what approaches they have developed to maintaining and their state publications depository improving communications within programs, i.e. between individual publcations clearinghouses and depository librar&e* *All states responded to this survey. The data outlined below reflects these responses. Data on the Colorado program has been added to produce a sample of 19 states. 1.
(19 respondents) States
having
established
systems
having
established
of
depository
libraries--l8 depositories--l
States (Wyoming)
not
systems
of
2. Approaches regularly used to maintain communication with depositories Approach is listed according to the number of states (18 respondents). which indiacate using it. Telephone Communication Notes on Shipping Lists Regular Visits to Depositories Advisory Cornitties of Depository Librarians Depository Newsletters State Library Association Heetinge Conferences/Workshops Heetings/State's Documents Taskgroups Surveys
16 13 9 5 5 4
4 3 3
Information Update
Regular Meetings with All Depositories Visits to Center by Librarians
385
2 2
Twelve (67%) of the clearinghouses surveyed said that at least four separate methods to communicate with clearinghc*.se indicated that it did not communicate depository libraries.
they regularly used One depositories. regularly with its
Visits by clearinghouse personnel to depository libraries was 3. considered to be among the most useful approaches by the largest number of libraries 16). Telephone communication was picked by 5 libraries. Note5 on Shipping Lists and Depository Newsletters were both picked by 2 libraries each. A number of Centers indicated that they considered more for them and some indicated that than one approach to be very successful nany approaches were useful depending on the circumstances. in some 4. Nine of the 18 libraries indicated that they were enqaged type of cooperative agreements with other libraries to improve access to state publications. Five of these involved cooperatiave cataloging. 5. Nine states indicated that they information on their depository programs.
regularly
produce
promotional
6. Of these nine states, all but one distributesthis promotional material on a wide basis i.e., to group6 other than lust depository libraries. Eight states distribute their pronotional material to state agencies and four distribute to all libraries in their state. *Libraries responding to survey were: Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Kontana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. NEBRASKA STATE CHECKLIST AUTOKATED The Nebraska Library Commission Interlibrary Loan network, facing rising communicationsr and maintenance costs for its aging fleet of TWX equipment, decided in 1981 to modernize the system. After studying various options, the Conniosion decided to develop its new interlibrary loan communications system to operate through the State Central Data Processing (CDP) mainframe computer. Each participating library was provided a communications terminal capable of connecting with the mainframe via dial-access phone lines. This resulted in a vast improvement in the quality and effeciency of the interlibrary loan network. It also opened the door to a vhole array of other computer-based services for the participating libraries. One such application is the newly released Nebraska Online Databases. This service provides Nebraska libraries with online access to a number of Nebraska-specific databases. The full text of each database can be searched using the "standard" Boolean operators and logic. STAIRS (Storage and Information Retrieval System). an IBK database software package, provides the database sear& framework.
386
Information Update
The Commission became aware of STAIRS and its powerful capabilities through a database made available by the use of the online Nebraska Statutes, Nebraska Legislative Council. Shortly after discovering this service, the Commission began to explore the possibilities for providing online access to its own databases through STAIRS. The The%ebraska State Publications Checklist" was the first candidate. process of loading and converting the existing Checklist database into A matter of STAIRS prooved to be a remarkably quick and painless effort. days after final format decisions were made, a working database was ready.
This database was used successfully in-house for several months, and The next convinced the staff that further development was warranted, addition came when the Nebraska Film Service Catalog file, already in computer-readable format, was loaded into STAIRS. Shortly after that addition, efforts were begun to provide access to the available databases for the rapidly expanding base of libraries equipped with microcomputers and terminals. Again, the process was remarkably quick and painless. Within a matter of days, the program was written to provide a "user-friendly" interface to the available STAIRS databases. All that remained were to write a user's manual and publicize the With announcement of the new availability of the online databases. service, requests began to flow into the Commission. The number of users has grown steadily and now includes several dozen libraries. Additional databases have also been added, including a Legislative bill file, and a pilot statewide film/AV locator. Future plans include loading wtirely new the existing union list of serials, and perhaps developing databases specifically for the Online Database Service. The Nebraska Online Databases are available to non-Nebraska users through AGNET. (AGNET, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583-0713, (402) 472-1892) Vern Buis, Computer Applications Director, submitted this description.
PROGRESS IN PRINTED INDEXES The lack of a detailed, cumulative index to the Library of Gongress "Monthly Checklist of State Publications" often has been noted in this column. This lack makes it difficult to observe subJect trends of state documents. For this reason, the "State Government Research Checklist" (Council of State Governments, P.O. Box 11910, Iron Works Pike, Lexington, Kentucky 40578) with its index to Volumes 24 through 26 is of additional separate SUbJeCt use. Issued as Volume 27, no. 1, almost seven hundred listed in descriptions are used for publications the "Checklist.'* Descriptors most commonly used included block grants, child abuse and public finance, welfare, crime and criminals, education, corrections. hazardous substances, and intergovernmental relations. Nursing homes,
Information Update
387
property taxes, pub1 ic welfare, refuse disposal, and water resources development were also above average subJecta used. These observations seem to indicate that a cluster of state subJects is accumulating, counter to Terry Weech's findings in his "State Government aa Publishers" (Urbana, Illinois, 1965). Aa the first hypothesis guiding his study, Weech found that the content of state publications from 1910 to 1960 Perhaps varied widely between geographic regions of the United Ststes. common social and ecological concerns, aa discussed in the first part of this column, are helping to form this sub;lect core. CALIFORNIA RELEASES 1982-84 CUMULATIVE INDEX Another excellent index on scene appeared with the California State Library cumulation of 1982-1984 state publications 8 issued during April 1985. Published on 48xdiazo microfiche, this cumulation includes the latest corrected version of some 5,200 records cataloged since the publication of the 1981 cumulation (Volume 35) through the end of 1984 (Volune 35 of the "California Checklist"). Full indexing is provided for all records includrng those listed in the unindexed "Interim Checklist" isaued from November 1981 through December 1983. Locator keys appear in the header strip, in each frane, and in a grid index in the lower riqht corner of each fiche. The content of the 1985 cumulation has not been finally decided. A possibility is to republish the current edition with the inclusion of 1985 records, thus repla*the present set. The Connecticut Department of Corrections also appreciates the benefits of microfiched reports by offering copies of their 1983-84 Annual Reportin that format. Commissioner Raymond l4. Lopes enclosed an explanatory letter with his 44 page report, noting that nost librariea will have a microfiche reader on hand and possibly equipment to print a copy if needed. The 1983-84 report includes new findings on use of the drug Depo Provers for treating sex offenders. IMPROVEHENT IN "Wieconsin Public Documents" Accompanying the February 1985 issue of "Wisconsin Public Documents" is a revised introduction including a list of State depository libraries and an agency mailing address directory. The directory is especially useful as many non-Madison addresses are included. A sample entry is also explained including issuing agency, entry number, Depository library designation, classification number used in the State Historical Society, and an OCLC data base number. ENCOURAGEREliT FOR THE TAR-HEEL DEPOSITORY PROGRAM The Government Document Roundtable of the American Library Association recently appropriated 8500 to be deaignated for the Document Section of the North Carolina Library Association. This appropriation will be used to prepare informational material for North Carolina legislators on the value of a state depository program. The North Carolina Library Association plans a resolution endorsing a atate depository program for North Carolina
388
Information Update
from both GODORT and ALA prior to a planned initiative in the state in 1986 or 1987. -ENCOURAGING PRACTICESMISSISSIPPI DATA SOURCES STAY IN-PRINT Statistical abstracts of the states provide some of the best data on economics and the population. However, they often are out-of-print after a year or two. The recent Mississippi State University College of Business and Industry publication-list offers the "Mississippi Statistical Abstract" from 1970 to 1984. The same is true for "Mississippi Personal Income", fron 1929 to 1981, and "Mississippi Employment", 1967-1981. The 1970 "Statistical Abstract" is listed at a price of fi3.25 but by 1983 this cost rose to S24.50. Another outstanding data report from South Carolina has been released. The "1984 South Carolina Economic Report" (Rembert C. Dennis Building, Room 337. 1000 Assembly Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29201). SubIects covered include the labor force, personal income, agriculture, finance, housing, insurance, manufacturing, parks, recreation, tourism, public utilities, transportation, and general revenue funding. LOCAL BYWAYSZTREASURES IN TREES Just as with state documents, there are hidden fruits awaiting harvest through local documents. Ronald J, Heckart's column reviewing new local documents in the "Government Publication Review" is one example. -city Trees: Guidelines for Selecting and Maintaining Trees in an Urban Setting" from the Chicago Bureau of Forestry, Parkways, and Beutification (Room 302, 320 North Clark, Chicago 60610) is a further individual example. This document comprises only nineteen leaves but it provides a short history of landscape architecture in Chicago followed by detailed advBe on selection of trees for urban areas, recommended and nonrecommended trees, and their maintenance. This is an excellent document for both the homeowner and the Department of Parks. "Liquid Propane Fuel for City Vehicles: Air Uuality and Economic Benefits", authored by Israel Patoka, the Baltimore Department of Planning City Planner, might be a second local document of use to many urban areas. It examines the potential for creating emission reduction credits through the conversion of city vehicles to the use of liquid propane fuel. Evidence in savings in operating and maintenance costs as well as reductions in nitrogen oxide and caxboii monoxide emissions and gasoline consumption are also presented. This document is available from the Regional Planning Council, 2225 North Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21218. BIBLIOGRAPHIC BYWAYS "State and Local Byways" concludes with its usual bibliographic section, first some current Journal articles about state documents followed by notable titles from Mchiqan. Readers are again invited to submit five/six annotated nominations of the "Best" from their states to the editor.
389
Information Update
Access to Texas Documents: "An Open For Tex_a_el. p. 4 (Summer, 19841.
Discussion" P_ubl_ic_Docr?mep_t_Hig~~~g~~_
Divilbiss. D.A. "Missouri Sources for Status Reports Histories", Sho_v_l--ne LibraEke*. 35:7-10 (December 1983).
and
Legislative
Lane, tlargaret T., "Accessing State Documents Through Documents Collectione" RQ. 24:145-6. (Winter, 1984).
the Documents
Lane, Hargaret T., "Documents on 13:250-3 (Fall, 1984).
Microfilm Review --_-_->
Document8 Collection"
on
NOTABLE DOCUBE)~T.: BICHIGAN FE_A_Tu_R_El from their Readers are invited to submit lists of notable downts state. These, recently released Michigan documents distributed to state depository libraries: Energy Administration. Public Service Wichigan. Department of Commerce. Commission. Bichiqan Enerqy Appr_B&s_a_l_. Lansing, 1984. 16pp. This appraisal provides a semi-annual review of the balance between energy supply and demand in Michigan. Short-term trends are proJected Electricity, along vith an indication of expected prices. natural gas, motor oil, and distillate fuel oil are examined for adequacy of 8upply and potential WeakneSSe8 in the distribution system. Analysis of petroleum products is limited to motor gasoline and distillate fuel oils. However, this data can be complemented by use of the U.S. Department of Energy's Petroleum Monthly Report." Hichigan Department (each)
of Hental
Health.
F_a_ctSheetF,, Lansing. 1984.
2pp.
Four flyers of two pages each address various areas of concern regarding DliH's establishment of a network of small group homes or foster care licensing arranagements. Promotional in nature, they state the Department8 pOSitiOn on these 8UbJeCtS: "Did Neighbors Really Say That?", "Nichigan Zoning Laws", "Legal Challenges to Group Homes”, and "Group Homes: Alternativeos to Institutions." Hichigan. Legislature. w-omen in U~c~~g~_n_S~~_e__~~~~~~~~~~
Lansing, 1984.
49PP -
This document evaluates the efforts of the exacutive, legislative, and Judicial branches of Michigan State government in achieving employment equality and promotion81 opportunity for women since the initiation of affirmative action program in 1971. Michigan. Legislature. 3opp..
Women
in _ the Legii~_a_tjyg_Pro~e8~.. Lansing, 1984.
In 1921, the first woman took office a8 a Senator in the Michigan Legislature. This booklet presents a historical survey of women who have been involved in Bichigan's legislative proceee since then.
383
STATE AND LOCAL BYWAYS David W. Parish 5 Croesett Road Geneseo, New York
14454
THE NEW FEDERALISM: A BOON FOR STATE DOCUHENTS? Several recent studies by the Urban and Reqional Center at Princeton University, the Coalition of Block Grants and Human Needs, and the National Governor's Association suggest that social issues are receiving a more favorable response from state and local officials than fror the Reagan This situation would seem to act as a positive factor for Administration. Several typical examples include the California state publications. Legislature's "Public Hearing... in the Uatter of liobile Amusement Ride Safety for Carnivale" (Sacramento. 1984) and a Hawaii Department of Health (Honolulu, 1984). Both of these "Study on the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome" subjects on social problens recently have been of little interest to the federal government. The "New York Times" of Sunday May 19, 1985 noted "that in the past few weeks, while Congress has been debating how much to cut federal spending on dorestic social programs, state legislatures around the country have been taking steps to increase state spending on education, health care for the This paradox is further poor, and housing assistance to homeless people." emphasized by: 1. Local and state governments joining civil rights groups in defending the quota system. 2. Twenty-nine states showing an interest in the idea that men and women should be paid the same for equal Jobs that require comparable skills. 3. State officials pressing the federal government to be more aggreeive in regulating environmental problems. include new and expanded programs, will require These state efforts, well-organized, carefully researched reports for background documentation. Perhaps the new federalism will have a silver lining as a positive motivation for state programs. subsequently, and their publications. S. 796 A THREAT TO THE DOCUMENT COMHUNITY Some silver linings are lost between the dark clouds. As part of the National Bureau of Standard's Authorization Act of 1986 (S.796, H.R. 1617), there is a section titled "National Technical Information Service." This seeningly routine heading to reauthorize NTIS funding carries a serious threat for the Federal Depository System. The nature of the language in S. 796 would allow the National Technical Information Service (NTIS) to create a eysten for printing and distributing material parallel to that of the
Information Update
384
Government Printing Office. By law, NTIS distributes materials only on a cost recovery basis. According to the Anereican Library Association Government Document Roundtable representative Richard Leacy of the Georgia Institute of Technology, "having NTIS become the sole source of publications from executive agencies would destroy the Depository Library Program." This law would certainly have an indirect, yet negative influence Qn the There are few libraries with so integrity of state document collections. strong a state collection that would survive independently of federal documents. Often these two types supplement each other in reference and research v&lue. Readers are urged to study both the Senate bill and H.R. 1617 which has removed the obJectionable proposal as a Joint Committee prepares to study compromise action. REYNOLDS SURVEYS COBWUNICATION APPROACHES USED BY STATE DEPOSITORIES Ton Reynolds, consultant to the Colorado State Publications Depository and Distribution Center recently completed a survey of communication techniques used by 18 western state depository systems. Br. Reynolds kindly granted permission for his original findings to be outlined in "State and Local Byways." In February the Center asked 18 western states to fill out a 6 question survey reviewing what approaches they have developed to maintaining and their state publications depository improving communications within programs, i.e. between individual publcations clearinghouses and depository librar&e* *All states responded to this survey. The data outlined below reflects these responses. Data on the Colorado program has been added to produce a sample of 19 states. 1.
(19 respondents) States
having
established
systems
having
established
of
depository
libraries--l8 depositories--l
States (Wyoming)
not
systems
of
2. Approaches regularly used to maintain communication with depositories Approach is listed according to the number of states (18 respondents). which indiacate using it. Telephone Communication Notes on Shipping Lists Regular Visits to Depositories Advisory Cornitties of Depository Librarians Depository Newsletters State Library Association Heetinge Conferences/Workshops Heetings/State's Documents Taskgroups Surveys
16 13 9 5 5 4
4 3 3
Information Update
Regular Meetings with All Depositories Visits to Center by Librarians
385
2 2
Twelve (67%) of the clearinghouses surveyed said that at least four separate methods to communicate with clearinghc*.se indicated that it did not communicate depository libraries.
they regularly used One depositories. regularly with its
Visits by clearinghouse personnel to depository libraries was 3. considered to be among the most useful approaches by the largest number of libraries 16). Telephone communication was picked by 5 libraries. Note5 on Shipping Lists and Depository Newsletters were both picked by 2 libraries each. A number of Centers indicated that they considered more for them and some indicated that than one approach to be very successful nany approaches were useful depending on the circumstances. in some 4. Nine of the 18 libraries indicated that they were enqaged type of cooperative agreements with other libraries to improve access to state publications. Five of these involved cooperatiave cataloging. 5. Nine states indicated that they information on their depository programs.
regularly
produce
promotional
6. Of these nine states, all but one distributesthis promotional material on a wide basis i.e., to group6 other than lust depository libraries. Eight states distribute their pronotional material to state agencies and four distribute to all libraries in their state. *Libraries responding to survey were: Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Kontana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. NEBRASKA STATE CHECKLIST AUTOKATED The Nebraska Library Commission Interlibrary Loan network, facing rising communicationsr and maintenance costs for its aging fleet of TWX equipment, decided in 1981 to modernize the system. After studying various options, the Conniosion decided to develop its new interlibrary loan communications system to operate through the State Central Data Processing (CDP) mainframe computer. Each participating library was provided a communications terminal capable of connecting with the mainframe via dial-access phone lines. This resulted in a vast improvement in the quality and effeciency of the interlibrary loan network. It also opened the door to a vhole array of other computer-based services for the participating libraries. One such application is the newly released Nebraska Online Databases. This service provides Nebraska libraries with online access to a number of Nebraska-specific databases. The full text of each database can be searched using the "standard" Boolean operators and logic. STAIRS (Storage and Information Retrieval System). an IBK database software package, provides the database sear& framework.
386
Information Update
The Commission became aware of STAIRS and its powerful capabilities through a database made available by the use of the online Nebraska Statutes, Nebraska Legislative Council. Shortly after discovering this service, the Commission began to explore the possibilities for providing online access to its own databases through STAIRS. The The%ebraska State Publications Checklist" was the first candidate. process of loading and converting the existing Checklist database into A matter of STAIRS prooved to be a remarkably quick and painless effort. days after final format decisions were made, a working database was ready.
This database was used successfully in-house for several months, and The next convinced the staff that further development was warranted, addition came when the Nebraska Film Service Catalog file, already in computer-readable format, was loaded into STAIRS. Shortly after that addition, efforts were begun to provide access to the available databases for the rapidly expanding base of libraries equipped with microcomputers and terminals. Again, the process was remarkably quick and painless. Within a matter of days, the program was written to provide a "user-friendly" interface to the available STAIRS databases. All that remained were to write a user's manual and publicize the With announcement of the new availability of the online databases. service, requests began to flow into the Commission. The number of users has grown steadily and now includes several dozen libraries. Additional databases have also been added, including a Legislative bill file, and a pilot statewide film/AV locator. Future plans include loading wtirely new the existing union list of serials, and perhaps developing databases specifically for the Online Database Service. The Nebraska Online Databases are available to non-Nebraska users through AGNET. (AGNET, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583-0713, (402) 472-1892) Vern Buis, Computer Applications Director, submitted this description.
PROGRESS IN PRINTED INDEXES The lack of a detailed, cumulative index to the Library of Gongress "Monthly Checklist of State Publications" often has been noted in this column. This lack makes it difficult to observe subJect trends of state documents. For this reason, the "State Government Research Checklist" (Council of State Governments, P.O. Box 11910, Iron Works Pike, Lexington, Kentucky 40578) with its index to Volumes 24 through 26 is of additional separate SUbJeCt use. Issued as Volume 27, no. 1, almost seven hundred listed in descriptions are used for publications the "Checklist.'* Descriptors most commonly used included block grants, child abuse and public finance, welfare, crime and criminals, education, corrections. hazardous substances, and intergovernmental relations. Nursing homes,
Information Update
387
property taxes, pub1 ic welfare, refuse disposal, and water resources development were also above average subJecta used. These observations seem to indicate that a cluster of state subJects is accumulating, counter to Terry Weech's findings in his "State Government aa Publishers" (Urbana, Illinois, 1965). Aa the first hypothesis guiding his study, Weech found that the content of state publications from 1910 to 1960 Perhaps varied widely between geographic regions of the United Ststes. common social and ecological concerns, aa discussed in the first part of this column, are helping to form this sub;lect core. CALIFORNIA RELEASES 1982-84 CUMULATIVE INDEX Another excellent index on scene appeared with the California State Library cumulation of 1982-1984 state publications 8 issued during April 1985. Published on 48xdiazo microfiche, this cumulation includes the latest corrected version of some 5,200 records cataloged since the publication of the 1981 cumulation (Volume 35) through the end of 1984 (Volune 35 of the "California Checklist"). Full indexing is provided for all records includrng those listed in the unindexed "Interim Checklist" isaued from November 1981 through December 1983. Locator keys appear in the header strip, in each frane, and in a grid index in the lower riqht corner of each fiche. The content of the 1985 cumulation has not been finally decided. A possibility is to republish the current edition with the inclusion of 1985 records, thus repla*the present set. The Connecticut Department of Corrections also appreciates the benefits of microfiched reports by offering copies of their 1983-84 Annual Reportin that format. Commissioner Raymond l4. Lopes enclosed an explanatory letter with his 44 page report, noting that nost librariea will have a microfiche reader on hand and possibly equipment to print a copy if needed. The 1983-84 report includes new findings on use of the drug Depo Provers for treating sex offenders. IMPROVEHENT IN "Wieconsin Public Documents" Accompanying the February 1985 issue of "Wisconsin Public Documents" is a revised introduction including a list of State depository libraries and an agency mailing address directory. The directory is especially useful as many non-Madison addresses are included. A sample entry is also explained including issuing agency, entry number, Depository library designation, classification number used in the State Historical Society, and an OCLC data base number. ENCOURAGEREliT FOR THE TAR-HEEL DEPOSITORY PROGRAM The Government Document Roundtable of the American Library Association recently appropriated 8500 to be deaignated for the Document Section of the North Carolina Library Association. This appropriation will be used to prepare informational material for North Carolina legislators on the value of a state depository program. The North Carolina Library Association plans a resolution endorsing a atate depository program for North Carolina
388
Information Update
from both GODORT and ALA prior to a planned initiative in the state in 1986 or 1987. -ENCOURAGING PRACTICESMISSISSIPPI DATA SOURCES STAY IN-PRINT Statistical abstracts of the states provide some of the best data on economics and the population. However, they often are out-of-print after a year or two. The recent Mississippi State University College of Business and Industry publication-list offers the "Mississippi Statistical Abstract" from 1970 to 1984. The same is true for "Mississippi Personal Income", fron 1929 to 1981, and "Mississippi Employment", 1967-1981. The 1970 "Statistical Abstract" is listed at a price of fi3.25 but by 1983 this cost rose to S24.50. Another outstanding data report from South Carolina has been released. The "1984 South Carolina Economic Report" (Rembert C. Dennis Building, Room 337. 1000 Assembly Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29201). SubIects covered include the labor force, personal income, agriculture, finance, housing, insurance, manufacturing, parks, recreation, tourism, public utilities, transportation, and general revenue funding. LOCAL BYWAYSZTREASURES IN TREES Just as with state documents, there are hidden fruits awaiting harvest through local documents. Ronald J, Heckart's column reviewing new local documents in the "Government Publication Review" is one example. -city Trees: Guidelines for Selecting and Maintaining Trees in an Urban Setting" from the Chicago Bureau of Forestry, Parkways, and Beutification (Room 302, 320 North Clark, Chicago 60610) is a further individual example. This document comprises only nineteen leaves but it provides a short history of landscape architecture in Chicago followed by detailed advBe on selection of trees for urban areas, recommended and nonrecommended trees, and their maintenance. This is an excellent document for both the homeowner and the Department of Parks. "Liquid Propane Fuel for City Vehicles: Air Uuality and Economic Benefits", authored by Israel Patoka, the Baltimore Department of Planning City Planner, might be a second local document of use to many urban areas. It examines the potential for creating emission reduction credits through the conversion of city vehicles to the use of liquid propane fuel. Evidence in savings in operating and maintenance costs as well as reductions in nitrogen oxide and caxboii monoxide emissions and gasoline consumption are also presented. This document is available from the Regional Planning Council, 2225 North Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21218. BIBLIOGRAPHIC BYWAYS "State and Local Byways" concludes with its usual bibliographic section, first some current Journal articles about state documents followed by notable titles from Mchiqan. Readers are again invited to submit five/six annotated nominations of the "Best" from their states to the editor.
389
Information Update
Access to Texas Documents: "An Open For Tex_a_el. p. 4 (Summer, 19841.
Discussion" P_ubl_ic_Docr?mep_t_Hig~~~g~~_
Divilbiss. D.A. "Missouri Sources for Status Reports Histories", Sho_v_l--ne LibraEke*. 35:7-10 (December 1983).
and
Legislative
Lane, tlargaret T., "Accessing State Documents Through Documents Collectione" RQ. 24:145-6. (Winter, 1984).
the Documents
Lane, Hargaret T., "Documents on 13:250-3 (Fall, 1984).
Microfilm Review --_-_->
Document8 Collection"
on
NOTABLE DOCUBE)~T.: BICHIGAN FE_A_Tu_R_El from their Readers are invited to submit lists of notable downts state. These, recently released Michigan documents distributed to state depository libraries: Energy Administration. Public Service Wichigan. Department of Commerce. Commission. Bichiqan Enerqy Appr_B&s_a_l_. Lansing, 1984. 16pp. This appraisal provides a semi-annual review of the balance between energy supply and demand in Michigan. Short-term trends are proJected Electricity, along vith an indication of expected prices. natural gas, motor oil, and distillate fuel oil are examined for adequacy of 8upply and potential WeakneSSe8 in the distribution system. Analysis of petroleum products is limited to motor gasoline and distillate fuel oils. However, this data can be complemented by use of the U.S. Department of Energy's Petroleum Monthly Report." Hichigan Department (each)
of Hental
Health.
F_a_ctSheetF,, Lansing. 1984.
2pp.
Four flyers of two pages each address various areas of concern regarding DliH's establishment of a network of small group homes or foster care licensing arranagements. Promotional in nature, they state the Department8 pOSitiOn on these 8UbJeCtS: "Did Neighbors Really Say That?", "Nichigan Zoning Laws", "Legal Challenges to Group Homes”, and "Group Homes: Alternativeos to Institutions." Hichigan. Legislature. w-omen in U~c~~g~_n_S~~_e__~~~~~~~~~~
Lansing, 1984.
49PP -
This document evaluates the efforts of the exacutive, legislative, and Judicial branches of Michigan State government in achieving employment equality and promotion81 opportunity for women since the initiation of affirmative action program in 1971. Michigan. Legislature. 3opp..
Women
in _ the Legii~_a_tjyg_Pro~e8~.. Lansing, 1984.
In 1921, the first woman took office a8 a Senator in the Michigan Legislature. This booklet presents a historical survey of women who have been involved in Bichigan's legislative proceee since then.