Public Service Policy for
Federal Government Information
in Electronic Formats

Introduction

Federal government information in electronic formats includes both tangible electronic products, such as CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, videocassette, and floppy diskette, and intangible products available on the Internet in various file formats, such as Web-accessible HTML, PDF (Adobe Acrobat), XML, ASCII text, database files, and spreadsheets. Web browsers may also be used to access government information available via telnet, ftp, WAIS, and gopher.

Ramsey Library selects electronic Depository Items that meet the informational needs of the UNCA Community and residents of the 11th Congressional district, according to the Ramsey Library Federal Documents Collection Development Policy, in compliance with the Federal Depository Library Program Instructions to Depository Libraries and Title 44, Chapter 19 of the United States Code.

The library facilitates access to electronic government information by providing Web-enabled computer workstations for public use, computers equipped with CD-ROM and or DVD-ROM drives, a library CD-ROM/DVD-ROM LAN, video viewing stations, reference service, and technical support. The library may select items in formats that it cannot currently support with a view to future technological developments, off-site housing agreements, or an open circulation policy. Content, not format, is the primary criterion for selection.

Open Access

Access to government information in electronic formats, including Federal Depository Library Program information on the Internet, is free and unrestricted to all library users. Anyone may use Web-enabled computers in public areas of the library to search for government information or view Federal or State government Web sites.

Public PCs in the library allow access to http, PDF, telnet, ftp, and gopher links in government Web pages. Users may print or download Web pages or documents. Limits to printing or downloading are consistent with public service policies for other resources.

Use of computer workstations is subject to University and Ramsey Library policies for computing and networking.

Most tangible electronic government publications, such as CD-ROMs and floppy diskettes, circulate outside the library. Exceptions include: Census Bureau publications, reference titles, and high-use items, particularly those installed on the Library LAN or single-user workstations.

Government information may be printed, downloaded or viewed in the library. Low-use titles will be installed on demand as needed, for in-house use on designated library computers. Access is provided within 24 hours, assuming appropriate application software is available. If the title cannot be supported in the library, the item will be allowed to circulate or other arrangements will be made.

Equipment

Government information on the Internet is available at any networked public PC in the library. In addition, at least one computer workstation is dedicated to documents reference use to ensure availability of federal government information even in times of peak library usage.

When purchasing new computers, the library will specify equipment that meets the current  Recommended Specifications for Public Access Work Stations in Federal Depository Libraries.

User Education

The Government Publications unit of Ramsey Library maintains a home page for government information and provides links to popular, useful, or prominent government sites in accordance with Guidelines for the Federal Depository Library Program. Item selections for government Internet sites, CD-ROM, floppy disc, and media titles are also listed in the library catalog.

Personal, telephone, and e-mail reference service, informational Web pages about government resources, and printed handouts are made available to the general public by the Documents unit.

Training for UNCA or community users is available by appointment for specific, tangible electronic products or Internet resources. Examples of such training would include a classroom session on using American FactFinder to access Census 2000 data, tracing legislation, education resources, social work, or statistical resources for market research.

Sources

Ramsey Library Patron Usage Policy for Computing and Networking
http://bullpup.lib.unca.edu/library/policy/polcompuse.html  

UNCA Student Usage Policy for Computing and Networking
http://www.unca.edu/policies/71.pdf

Guidelines for the Federal Depository Library Program (Federal Depository Library Manual, Supplement 2. February 1996)
http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/pubs/fdlm/guidelin.html

Instructions To Depository Libraries (Revised September 2000)
http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/pubs/instructions/index.html

Depository Library Public Service Guidelines For Government Information in Electronic Formats
http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/mgt/pseguide.html

FDLP Internet Use Policy Guidelines [from Administrative Notes, January 15, 1999 (v.20, no. 2)]
http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/mgt/iupolicy.html

Public Access to Electronic Government Information Provided Through Federal Depository Libraries
http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/mgt/index.html#access

Recommended Specifications for Public Access Work Stations in Federal Depository Libraries.
http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/computers/rs.html

Updated 31 January 2002. Comments to sinclair@bulldog.unca.edu

Top of document

Ramsey Library UNCA