A study requested by the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science surveys the relationship between government and the private sector and the use of the private sector information firms by government; examines examples of government agency activities in disseminating information themselves and through the use of private sector information firms; and discusses the need for development of and adherence to a coherent and positive national policy. The economic relationship between government and the private sector and the benefits accruing to society from the use of incentives in the competitive marketplace of ideas are discussed as a basis for national policies for exploiting these incentives in the development of the proposed national program. (Author/LS)