Recommendations and Commendation
Depository Library Council Meeting
Spring 2003, Reno, NV

1. Online MoCat

   Council recommends that the Government Printing Office suspend publication of the printed version of the Monthly Catalog of United States Government Publications and its Serials Supplement as soon as it is possible to replace these tools with dynamic online versions. The United States Congressional Serial Set Catalog’s Numerical Lists and Schedule of Volumes, however, should continue to be published in the printed version.

   Rationale: The expense of producing and printing the paper version of the Monthly Catalog of United States Government Publications and its supplements far outweighs its usefulness to libraries and the public. The new Integrated Library System, when implemented, will allow the Government Printing Office to create timely, dynamic lists of bibliographic records produced by the Government Printing Office by any time interval or format, which could then be printed, downloaded, or used online. This dynamic online version would meet the spirit of the statutory requirement mandating monthly publication of a list of government documents available to the public and indeed would exceed the usefulness of the current printed versions. Because of the unique value of the United States Congressional Serial Set Catalog’s Numerical Lists and Schedule of Volumes for reference and collection management, these products should continue to be published in the printed version.

2. United States Library of Public Information

Council recommends that as the Government Printing Office pursues its initiative in creating a United States Library of Public Information, the Government Printing Office, along with members of the depository library community, develop a cogent, flexible collection that is:

1. Comprehensive in scope and content
2. Fully cataloged
3. Widely accessible
4. Permanently archived

Rationale: In today’s increasingly electronic environment, the need for a United States Library of Public Information providing permanent public access, full cataloging records, widely accessible and comprehensive in scope becomes more of a national need. GPO’s pursuit of this library will address the current and future needs of the new depository environment.

Council commends Bonnie B. Trivizas upon her retirement after more than twenty years of Federal service, including that with the Library Programs Service from 1985 to 1992 and 2001 to 2003. Ms. Trivizas has served in several capacities at the Government Printing Office, including service as director of the Library Programs Service from 1990 to 1992 and twice serving as Chief of the Library Division of the Library Programs Service. In addition, she has been involved with many important Government Printing Office activities, from the early development of GPO Access and the Federal Bulletin Board to the current procurement process for an integrated library system. Council thanks Ms. Trivizas for her dedication and wishes her well in her future endeavors.