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NEWS: GPO Access Outreach Program (fwd)



---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, 6 Oct 1994 16:20:05 -0400 (EDT)
>From: Carol Singer <csinger@nalusda.gov>
To: nalusers@nalusda.gov
Subject: GPO Access Outreach Program (fwd)

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 5 Oct 1994 16:36:19 CDT
>From: Policy <manage@access.digex.net>
To: Multiple recipients of list GOVDOC-L <GOVDOC-L@PSUVM.PSU.EDU>
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: <manage@access.digex.net>
                               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 <help@eidsO5.eids.gpo.gov>
_________________________________________________________

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