Introduction & Goal I Comments: Nov. 16 - 23

Enclosed below is the text to the Introduction and Goal 1 of the draft for the Washington State Plan:

WASHINGTON STATE PLAN FOR FEDERAL DEPOSITORY LIBRARY SERVICE

2005 Revisions

[In general I’m omitting any links to the existing FDLP Manual and Instructions because they’ll soon be outdated.]

Concept of the State Plan

The Depository Library Council to the Public Printer introduced the idea of state plans for federal depository service at its spring 1981 meeting. The Council, responding to a survey outlining problems in the regional depository library system, adopted the following Resolution in the fall of 1981: “In order to bolster the regional depository libraries’ capabilities to serve their state missions and in order to assure that federal documents are available throughout the United States on an equal and expeditious basis, the Depository Library Council recommended that the Public Printer investigate the feasibility of requiring each state to prepare a plan to coordinate the Federal Documents Depository Program within that state. The plan should be developed through consultation with all designated federal depository libraries within the state and should address all depository responsibilities outlined in the Instructions to Depository Libraries as well as the Council at the first afternoon session of the Spring 1981 meeting.” (See Summary of Meeting, Depository Library Council to the Public Printer. SuDoc no. GP3.30/2:982-2) Further suggestions for creating state plans were given at the Federal Depository Library Council Conference in April 1998.

(http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/pubs/proceedings/98pro2.html )

The Public Printer subsequently endorsed the resolution as a mechanism for improving public access to government publications and as a vehicle for helping states share responsibility for the development of collections and provision of service.

The plan for Washington uses the Government Printing Office’s Instructions to Depository Libraries and Guidelines for the Depository Library System as the basis for developing its specific set of goals and objectives. It is also intended to create cooperation among libraries through the development of regionalized collection development plans. It is hoped that the plan will result in better use of existing resources for the benefit of library users.

The Planning Process

In 1984, a task force of interested librarians was recruited from depository libraries in the state to work on the Washington plan. The task force, representing academic, public and law libraries met three times during 1984-1985 to develop a draft state plan. The draft plan was then presented to libraries for their review and comment at the annual Documents Serials Roundtable held June 20-21, 1985. The final version of the plan was presented to all depository libraries in the state and the State Library received signatures for all depository libraries agreeing to the plan.

In 1997, depository libraries met to review and draft updated language for the plan consistent with new requirements for electronic access. The review process included an initial drafting meeting and two comment periods during which librarians could recommend final changes. This final version of the plan is dated October 1998 and incorporates the comments received by librarians. The plan was updated in 2005.

[ Robin suggested that this section be reworked and she wasn’t sure we needed to give reasons for updates. So how about:

In 1984, a group of depository librarians from academic, public, and law libraries was formed to work on the Washington plan. This group met and created a draft plan that was presented to depository libraries for review and comment in June 1985. The final draft was presented to all depository libraries in the state, and the State Library received signatures for all depository libraries agreeing to the plan. The plan was updated in 1997-1998 and 2005. ]

Implementation of the Plan

The revised plan will be presented to all depository library directors for their endorsement and signature. The State Library will forward the signature copies of the letters of endorsement to the Government Printing Office.

The plan will be reviewed annually at one of the state’s depository meetings to determine any needed modifications or to deal with any problems that may occur in implementation. The plan shall be updated at least once every five years or when needed to reflect changes in the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP).

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

GOAL ONE: ACCESS: To assure access to federal publication regardless of format for all residents.

OBJECTIVES:

1-1 The Washington depository library system should maintain a comprehensive collection of current and retrospective federal government publications of interest to the residents of the state of Washington (Appendix 1, Appendix 2).

1-2 The Washington State Library acting as the regional library should continue to maintain a complete collection of documents distributed through the depository system. The State Library should utilize cooperative storage agreements with other libraries as an aid in the long-term maintenance of the regional collection. (See Appendix 3 for a list of these housing agreements.) [I agree with Cass that a one page summary of these housing agreements should suffice.]

1-3 Selective depository libraries will select on a current basis those publications and resources that meet the needs of their service area.

1-4 Depository libraries should consider selecting materials on behalf of, or at the request of, non-depository libraries in their geographic areas.

1-5 Depository libraries should provide adequate space and equipment for accessing government publications. The Government Printing Office’s recommendations for public access computer stations can be found at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/computers/rs.html . [I’m including this url as a placeholder. It’s for the 2004 specifications.]

1-6 Depository libraries should maintain records that identify their selections, regardless of format.

1-7 Depository libraries should integrate government publications into the local bibliographic control system. Libraries should provide the same level of bibliographic access to government publications as to other library materials.

1-8 Depository libraries should explore and encourage innovative uses for automated systems both in the processing of government materials and in the access of information that meets specific patron requests.

1-9 Depository libraries shall strive to include a link to government information on their library’s top-level home page.

1-10 Appointment of new depository libraries will be based on procedures outlined in the Guidelines for Depository Library Systems (Appendix 4).

1-11 Depository libraries wishing to leave the FDLP should follow the procedures outlined in Appendix 7 and the Electronic Federal Depository Manual.