The results of a 2-year study on the interactions between government and private sector information activities are presented in terms of principles and guidelines for federal policy to support the development and use of information resources, products, and services, and to implement the principles. Discussions address sources of conflict between…

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…

Describes a proposed National Research and Education Network designed to meet the needs of scholars and researchers, and discusses the technical and political aspects of such a network. The possible impacts on library roles and services are explored, and the need to extend existing networks to include public, school, and rural libraries is…

The roles of libraries in providing access to the Internet are still evolving, but such roles raise policy issues that are both significant and complex. A flexible and dynamic policy is needed to respond to the different access needs of various users. Market forces alone will not provide equal access to the Internet, and many public institutions…

Presents statements made to the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Civil and Constitutional Rights by representatives of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the library community concerning the surveillance of library users' reading habits as a national security measure. An FBI study on the extent of Soviet intelligence service's utilization of…

Describes the Electronic Dissemination of Information database operated by Martin Marietta Data Systems, under contract to the Department of Agriculture, to illustrate the issues and problems librarians face in trying to provide access to government information in electronic formats, and to discuss the role of public and private sectors in…

This paper briefly reviews the current status of government publications, including the local, state, and Federal levels, with particular attention to crucial problems of availability and accessibility to the public. It examines issues and proposed changes in government policy with respect to government documents, e.g., (1) Is there a need for a…

Minutes from the 1985 Membership Meeting of the Association of REsearch Libraries (ARL) include the full text of three presented papers: "Changing Information Policies and Research Libraries" (John Shattuck); "Management of Government Information" (Timothy Sprehe); and "Access to Information in Canada" (Bruce Mann).…

This essay explores the somewhat uneven course of the public library as a knowledge institution in America and its relevance during the current information age, particularly in the United States, where there is a basic connection between access to knowledge and the political system. The public library situation is considered in terms of the…

Examines the effects of safety nets (government information transfer mechanisms that guarantee minimum access to government information) on the ability of U.S. industries to compete internationally. The need for research that explores methods of improving information dissemination and the role of libraries and information centers in fostering…

The U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science (NCLIS) conducted an open forum May 4-5, 1993 on the changing role of the federal government in support of library and information services and literacy programs for children and youth. The following topics were addressed: current status of library and information services for…

The "literacy.ca" newsletter is a vehicle for literacy workers and supporters to share information, ideas, resources and research on emerging literacy issues. This issue of "literacy.ca" contains the following sections: (1) Profiling Partnerships; (2) Research; (3) Research Spotlight; (4) Literacy and Disabilities; (5) Health…

Addresses perceived problems of the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) and the Government Printing Office (GPO) relative to a foundering program, electronic capabilities, costs to participating libraries, inefficient service, and accountability requirements. Unfavorable images have resulted and have been used by advocacy groups to bring the…

This theme issue of "The Bookmark" provides 1991 perspectives on several library service developments, including papers by three New Yorkers who played an important role in the White House Conference on Library and Information Services: Thomas Sobol, Commissioner of Education; Robert Wedgeworth, Dean of the School of Library Service at…

This report contains summaries of papers presented at the annual forum of the Federal Library and Information Center Committee (FLICC) of the Library of Congress. Introductory and special remarks were delivered by FLICC Executive Director Mary Berghaus Levering, Associate Librarian for Constituent Services of the Library of Congress Donald C.…