ALAWON v3n63 (Volume 25, 1994) URL = http://hegel.lib.ncsu.edu/stacks/serials/alawon/alawon-v3n63 ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Tue, 25 Oct 1994 22:06:40 -0400 (EDT) From: JOHNHEMPHILL@delphi.com To: ala-wo@UICVM.UIC.EDU, aah@alawash.org, leb@alawash.org, cch@alawash.org Subject: ALAWON, Vol. 3, No. 63 ****Begin File******************Begin File*******************Begin File**** *************************************************************************** ISSN 1069-7799 ALAWON ALA Washington Office Newsline An electronic publication of the American Library Association Washington Office Volume 3, Number 63 October 25, 1994 In this issue: (229 lines) EXPANDING PUBLIC ACCESS TO GOVERNMENT INFORMATION: * GPO ANNOUNCES FREE ONLINE PUBLIC ACCESS SITES * POSTAL SERVICE ANNOUNCES KIOSK ONLINE PILOT PROJECT * WASHINGTON STATE KIOSK PILOT FEATURES SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY * WHITE HOUSE LAUNCHES ELECTRONIC CITIZENS' HANDBOOK *************************************************************************** EXPANDING PUBLIC ACCESS TO GOVERNMENT INFORMATION The following articles illustrate the variety of government initiatives expanding access to government information. Please note that libraries either are or have the potential to serve as access points for these initiatives. *************************************************************************** GPO ANNOUNCES FREE ONLINE PUBLIC ACCESS SITES On October 4, the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) announced the first site giving the public free access to many of the nation's most important federal documents with a phone call to the Daniel Boone Regional Library in Columbia, MO. The Seattle Public Library was announced as the second location in this expanding gateway program to off-site callers on October 21. The _Congressional Record_, _Federal Register_ and _Congressional Bills_ databases are now available to off-site callers through the Columbia Online Information Network (COIN) located at the Daniel Boone Regional Library in Columbia, MO. In cooperation with the federal depository library at the University of Missouri at Columbia, COIN is offering free public access to the GPO databases as part of an expanding gateway program which will extend nationwide. Users may reach COIN by dialing (314) 884-7000, or by telnet to 128.206.1.3. Users may reach the Seattle Public Library's Quest System by dialing (206) 386-4140, or by telnet to 198.137.188.2. Anyone with a personal computer, a phone modem, and telecommunications software may connect from home or office to the GPO Access databases through the depository library gateways. Users may search the databases as frequently as they like, without charge. The full text of the documents is available the day of publication. Public Printer Michael DiMario wants to establish local outlets to the GPO electronic system in every State: "We want these important government publications available to the American public around the clock, 7 days a week." The "GPO Access" program, authorized by PL 103-40 and launched in June 1994, is already available for free electronic searches to walk-in patrons of many of the nation's 1,400 depository libraries. GPO is working with a group of depository libraries to develop model gateways for no-fee public access to GPO's databases. Built on existing campus and public networks, the gateway depositories will serve as models for the nationwide depository library system. The first model gateways will help GPO gather data on usage and the technical support requirements for users and participating libraries. Another depository library gateway will soon open to the public at the University of Illinois at Chicago's LUIS system. Other depository gateways are being developed in Minnesota, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Washington, DC. "Using the existing depository libraries is the best way to link the public with the GPO system," DiMario said. "Public libraries, other universities and colleges, and community networks will be added rapidly to get our information out." Local depository libraries will sponsor the program and assist in supporting users. The libraries will connect to GPO through the Internet. The new GPO initiative permits libraries to provide free off-site access through their own computer systems or those of partner networks in their areas. The GPO Access service currently has three full-text databases: The _Federal Register_, which includes proposed and final federal regulations and Presidential documents as well as meeting and grant notices; the _Congressional Record_ with the activities and debates of Congress dating back to January 1994; and _Congressional Bills_, with all published versions of House and Senate bills from the 103d Congress. Other databases will be added as they become available. Under the law, depository libraries have access to the GPO service without charge. The online publications are available separately by subscription for anyone who wishes to purchase directly from GPO. Inquiries about GPO Access - subscription services should be directed to the Access User Support Team at (202) 512-1530, or Internet e-mail . GPO will soon send all depository libraries a description of the GPO Access outreach program, and an invitation to participate. Interested depositories should contact Gil Baldwin, GPO Library Program Services (202) 512-1002; Internet:; fax (202) 512-1432. *************************************************************************** POSTAL SERVICE ANNOUNCES KIOSK ONLINE PILOT PROJECT The United States Postal Service on October 20 announced a pilot project to test kiosks as a "delivery vehicle" to provide electronic access to government information and services. According to a Postal Service spokesperson, libraries could be among the sites to be tested. The initial test units will be used as a technology and operations pilot test in the Washington, DC area at participating agency locations and at highly visible sites within the city. The press release about the pilot stated: "The public's reaction, software and hardware usability, kiosk operation and support, usage rates and identification of the most popular topics, and willingness to pay for convenience are all factors that will contribute to evaluating the success of the program." Since last May, the Postal Service has worked with representatives of more than 18 federal agencies and 50 state and local governments to shape a model for government-wide service delivery. The task force has concentrated on researching new technologies and applications while analyzing the underlying business case for making electronic service delivery a reality. The results of these findings will be published in November, 1994. Among the government services the Postal Service has identified that can be delivered through a kiosk are: capability to order local, state and federal information and products for delivery by mail; access to job bank information; ease in filing applications for local, state, and federal services; ability to pay fines, automobile registration renewal; ability to obtain recreational information and reservations; new access to Electronic Benefits Transfer systems; capacity to print forms for local, state and federal agencies; expanded federal, state and local agency office hours and locations; help in solving real life situations such as loss of job, retirement, health problems, births/deaths. In its press release on the pilot program, the Postal Service said, "The kiosk delivering these services will be a completely new concept--networking government service information through the Internet and other value added networks." The Postal Service sees as one of its most important tasks guarding "against the risk of creating two societies; the electronic information 'haves' and 'have nots.' The Postal Service, with its 40,000 locations, is the only federal agency that maintains day-to-day contact with the American public." *************************************************************************** WASHINGTON STATE KIOSK PILOT FEATURES SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY The official unveiling of a computerized government information kiosk at the Seattle Public Library, one of 10 pilot kiosks in the state of Washington, took place on August 24. The self-service government kiosk--a touch screen computer and printer--provides information in English or Spanish on more than 20 state and federal agencies, including state job listings, vehicle registration and licensing procedures, child immunization requirements, job- training opportunities, student loan information, and small business assistance. The Seattle Public Library has received international attention for providing Internet access to its patrons. The kiosk project, called the Washington Information Network, is sponsored by the state Department of Information Services, IBM Corp. and North Communications. It also includes the participation of 20 state and federal agencies and US West. The Seattle Public Library was the only public institution chosen for the 11-month pilot. The library site was selected because of its high citizen usage and central location. The other nine in Washington are located in malls. After the trial period, there will be an evaluation of the kiosks. There is currently an optional citizen evaluation component in each kiosk for users to complete. For more information about the Washington Information Network kiosk at the Seattle Public Library, call Nancy Wildin in the library's Business and Technology Department at (206) 386-4646. *************************************************************************** WHITE HOUSE LAUNCHES ELECTRONIC CITIZENS' HANDBOOK On October 20, Vice President Gore unveiled the first interactive, multimedia, electronic citizens' handbook on the White House, including detailed information about Cabinet-level and independent agencies, and information about the First Family and the White House. The free online information service is known as "Welcome to the White House: an Interactive Citizens' Handbook." According to press reports, anyone with Internet access can tap into government information and publications by pointing and clicking with a computer mouse. By using free software such as Mosaic, developed by the National Center for Supercomputing Applications, a person can access this information through a multimedia interface which includes photographs, audio, and "hotlinks" in the text that take the user to related areas of interest. It also is accessible by individuals who are hearing or sight-impaired through the use of Lynx, special software developed by the University of Kansas. The White House press release on this initiative indicated that "for those individuals without a computer, the information will be accessible through public libraries, designated businesses, nonprofit organizations, schools, universities, and museums. Examples of accessible material include information about the President and Vice President and their families, a virtual tour of the White House, a subject-searchable index of federal information, and a map of Washington, D.C. The electronic address for the Welcome to the White House site is http://www.whitehouse.gov. *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** ALAWON (ISSN 1069-7799) is an irregular publication of the American Library Association Washington Office, 110 Maryland Avenue, N.E., Washington, DC 20002-5675. Internet: alawash@alawash.org; Phone: (202) 547-4440; Fax: (202) 547-7363. Contributing to this issue: Anne Heanue, ALA-WO Associate Director; Editor: Lynne E. Bradley (leb@alawash.org). ALAWON is available free of charge and is available only in electronic form. To subscribe, send the message "subscribe ala-wo [your name]" to listserv@uicvm (Bitnet) or listserv@uicvm.uic.edu (Internet). Back issues and other documents are available from the list server. To find out what's available, send the message "send ala-wo filelist" to the listserv. The ALA- WO filelist contains the list of files with the exact filename and filetype. To get a particular file, issue the command "send filename filetype" to the listserv. Do not include the quotes in your commands. All materials in the newsletter subject to copyright by the American Library Association may be reprinted or redistributed for noncommercial purposes with appropriate credits. For other reprinting or redistribution, address requests to the ALA Washington Office (alawash@alawash.org). *************************************************************************** ***End of file******************End of file******************End of file***