Reviews the development of public libraries during the twentieth century and examines the influences of public libraries on twentieth-century presidents. It is noted and discussed that presidents who were well served as youths by public libraries or who provided leadership for public libraries during their administrations came from families of…

Traces trends in the federal government's policy toward publication of statutes and publication practices from the time of the colonies to the present administration. The impairment of the publication of federal administrative law is then discussed in the context of the rise of a national security state. (118 notes with references) (CLB)

Provides an overview of security classification reform for consideration by the Clinton administration and the 103rd Congress. Historical background and current issues related to the security classification of information, personnel security clearances, and industrial safeguarding of classified information are discussed. A checklist of basic…

Recounts the life of Bess Goodykoontz in her roles as elementary school teacher, college professor of elementary education; high-level administrator in the U.S. Office of Education, influential member of numerous professional organizations, and active leader in international organizations and movements. (BB)

Article III of the U.S. Constitution called for a federal judiciary that would dispense and administer justice in accordance with the principles on which the United States was founded. There was considerable ambivalence among the Founding Fathers as to what was the appropriate role for the judiciary, an ambivalence that has continued to the…

Even though the first citizens of the United States were skeptical about singular authority, the Constitution gave the president independent authority and strong powers. But as chief executive, he would be responsible to the people for the exercise of those powers. The modern presidency is a product of 200 years of growth and experience, yet much…

Recounts the political, economic, social, and governmental situations surrounding Shays' Rebellion, the 1786 farmer's uprising in Massachusetts which, among other things, demonstrated the need for a stronger federal government. Concludes with contemporary analogies and the statement that, in a free society, the conflict between the legitimate…

Reports on the work of Amherst College historian Robert A. Gross, a leading expert on the topic of Shays' Rebellion. Includes a collection of insights Dr. Gross has developed concerning the rebellion's meaning and its impact on the United States Constitution. (JDH)

The relationship between Native Americans and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) is ambivalent. Most BIA commissioners, like Dillon Myer, have been assimilationists who have tried to get the government "out of Indian business." Recent policies stressing self-determination are in jeopardy as pressure mounts for decreased federal domestic…

Chronicles the development of the legislative reference services of the Library of Congress and briefly describes the current Congressional Research Service, which resulted from legislative acts passed in 1946 and 1970. (CLB)

Highlights concepts and developments over past century in continuing library education. Library school initiatives in 1960s, contribution of Association of American Library Schools (AALS), the Continuing Library Education Network and Exchange (CLENE), and roles of state library agencies, federal government, professional associations, and academic…

Reviews the creation and evolution of ERIC, and describes changes being implemented in the system as a result of a recently concluded redesign study. Areas of change discussed include clearinghouse contract procedures, ACCESS ERIC, ERIC partners, and adjunct clearinghouses. Conclusions about the future of ERIC are offered. (five references) (CLB)

Identifies critical success factors that federal information resources management (IRM) must address, offers recommendations for how best to meet these challenges, and describes opportunities based on discussions with senior IRM leaders. A brief history of federal IRM, beginning with the Commission on Federal Paperwork in 1974, is provided.…

Discusses stated federal goals for education and poverty reduction from the 1960s to President Bush's 1990 State of the Union message and the continued failure to meet these goals. Observes that educational innovations of the past quarter century have done little to stimulate achievement. (DM)

In 1945 the Saskatchewan Aboriginal veterans from World War II returned to a rapidly changing world. The economy was improving dramatically as expanding industries encouraged unprecedented consumerism. In addition, new social values reflected an optimism for the elimination of the social inequality epitomized by Nazi Germany. The new social…