Depository Library Public Service Guidelines for Government Information in Electronic Format

BACKGROUND

As a federal depository library, the Madison Public Library is required by law to provide free public access to federal depository information, including information in electronic format.  Depository libraries are Required under Title 44, Section 1911 U.S. CODE to government publications "available for the free use of the general public"  As an extension of this mandate, the General Counsel to the Public Printer has indicated that "any library selecting items in electronic format must maintain a capability to allow for unimpeded use of those documents by its public patrons".

Madison Public Library has adopted the INTERNET USE POLICY AND GUIDELINES as a general policy for the entire library. For federal depository information, additional requirements are detailed in the FDLP INTERNET USE POLICY GUIDELINES and the PUBLIC SERVICES GUIDELINES FOR GOVERNMENT INFORMATION IN ELECTRONIC FORMAT. Incorporating principles outlined in these documents, Madison Pubic Library has developed guidelines that apply to federal government information in electronic format.

GUIDELINES

A. Tangible Electronic Products

1.  The Reference and User Services Division of the library provides access  to federal depository information in electronic format(CD-Rom, DVD-Rom,  and internet resources) free of charge at in-house computer workstations. Service in support of government information in electronic format is equal to that of services for other material formats. These services are provided without regard to age or residency.

2.  The library makes tangible electronic products(CD/DVD-Roms) available for use in a timely manner. It provides a single multi-disk cd-rom computer workstation for accessing the federal depository disks. Search software for  selected titles is installed on the computer and the discs are in the attached drives. Others are stored in a cabinet located near the computer. Most titles are available to borrow for 14 days and are accessible through LINKCat, the library's online catalog.

A printer is attached to the workstation for printing from the discs. Users are encouraged to download large data files to the floppy drive or a usb storage device.

3. The federal depository cd-rom workstation meets most of the requirements in the RECOMMENDED SPECIFICATIONS FOR PUBLIC ACCESS WORK STATIONS IN FEDERAL DEPOSITORY LIBRARIES.

B. Internet Access.

1. Public internet access to federal government information is provided at 20 general use public access internet workstations. Users may reserve a station for 30, 60, or 90 minutes. First come first serve use is available  on computers for times of 20, 30, or 60 minutes. A total of 2 hours per day  is available. Printing is free of charge for the first 5 pages, and then  additional pages are charged at 10 cents per sheet. Antivirus software is  installed on all the computers but none have filtering software installed.

2. Web sites on the Reference Desk are arranges by subject headings, with ones  "Government". Within this category are links for "International, States, Wisconsin, and United States" sites. Additional used sites are listed at "federal government web sites.”

3. The Depository Librarian maintain a blog MPL Gov Info to provide current awareness of recently issues government publications.

4. Users may download or print electronic government information from the public access internet workstations. Downloading is available to the floppy disk drive, the usb drive, and the zip disk drive. If a user needs to download a large file, arrangement should be made with the  Depository Librarian to arrange for other means of retrieving the data.

5. Telnet and email services are available on the public access computers, but  ftp, and fax capabilities are only available on staff computers. Email is provided only if the user uses a public access free email service such as Hotmail or Yahoo! Mail.

6. Access to government information for distance users is available via interlibrary loan policies, fax or mail as required by GPO guidelines.

7. Training is available for the use of tangible electronic products and internet resources by the Reference Desk staff. Reference help is available in person, via telephone and e-mail during the hours that the library is open. If more detailed instruction is needed, the Depository  Librarian should be consulted.

Sources Consulted:

Madison Public Library. Internet Use Policy and Guidelines. Passed by the Library Board June 26, 2002 

Public Service Guidelines for Government Information in Electronic Format. Revised July 10, 2000.  

Public Services Guidelines for Government Information in Electronic Formats. Government Publications Department,    University of Iowa.  Revised July 2007. (http://www.lib.uiowa.edu/govpubs/epolicy.html)

FDLP Internet Use Policy Guidelines [from Administrative Notes, Jan. 15, 1999(v.20,no.2)] Revised March 18, 2003.   

Recommended Specifications for Public Access Workstations in Federal Depository Libraries.   

November 2001
Revised May 2003;
Revised September2007
                                                Romeo Dais, Federal
Depository Librarian