From ghegyes@nalusda.gov Date: Thu, 6 Oct 1994 17:56:36 -0400 (EDT) From: Gabriel Hegyes To: SANET-mg Subject: NEWS: GPO Access Outreach Program (fwd) ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Thu, 6 Oct 1994 16:20:05 -0400 (EDT) >From: Carol Singer To: nalusers@nalusda.gov Subject: GPO Access Outreach Program (fwd) ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Wed, 5 Oct 1994 16:36:19 CDT >From: Policy To: Multiple recipients of list GOVDOC-L Subject: GPO Access Outreach Program ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- News Release U.S. Government Printing Office October 4, 1994 No. 94-10 Contact: Gil Baldwin (202) 512-1002 Internet: fax (202) 512-1432 GPO Gives the Public Free, 24-Hour Access To Online Federal Information The U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) announced today the first site giving the public free access to many of the Nation's most important Federal documents with a phone call. 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. 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. "It is our goal to establish local outlets to the GPO electronic system in every State," said Public Printer Michael F. DiMario, the head of the GPO. "We want these important government publications available to the American public around the clock, 7 days a week." The Congressional Record, Federal Register, and Congressional Bills are already available for free electronic searches to walk-in patrons of many of the Nation's 1,400 depository libraries under the "GPO Access" program authorized by law and launched in June 1994. There is at least one Federal depository library in every Congressional District. Telephone your local depository library to see if GPO Access is available. GPO is working with a select 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 the participating libraries. Gateways at the University of Illinois at Chicago's LUIS system and the Seattle Public Library's Quest System will soon open to the public. 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 the Congressional Bills, with all published versions of House and Senate bills from the 103d Congress. Other databases will be added as they become available. The GPO Access services are authorized by Public Law 103-40, the Government Printing Office Electronic Information Access Enhancement Act of 1993. Under the law depository libraries have access to the GPO service without charge. The online publications are available separately with low-cost subscriptions 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. Watch this space for additional information on GPO Access. If you are interested in having your depository become a gateway site, please contact me. Posted by: Gil Baldwin, GPO/LPS 202-512-1002 Internet e-mail: manage@access.digex.net