Value of Participating in the FDLP: How Depository Coordinators Can Effectively Convey This Message Mary Prophet - Deputy Director Denison University Libraries The Question: • With all the government information now available via the internet, is it still beneficial for this library to remain part of the Federal Depository Library System? Some Comparative figures June 1990-March 1991 Documents Received • Paper - 5,637 • Microfiche - 2,148 • Maps - 1,326 • CDs and Floppy discs - 72 June 2001-March 2002 Documents Received • Paper - 1,699 • Microfiche - 1,942 • Maps - 1,058 • Computer Disks - 159 Percent Change • Paper Down 70% • Microfiche Down 9% • Maps Down 2% • Disc UP 120% Some Costs to Consider: reality checks • Square Footage costs – Currently running for new construction approximately $140.00 per Sq. Ft. – Growth Rate for the physical collection has slowed reducing need for new space • Shelving & storage Costs Some Costs to Consider: reality checks • Staffing Costs – 1/3 FTE Professional Staff, 1FTE Support Staff, 1 FTE Student Staff – Will fewer physical items mean this staffing level can be reduced? Some Costs to Consider: reality checks • Office Supply Costs • Printing Costs • Cataloging Costs • Computer Equipment Costs What are we still getting in tangible formats • Essential Titles for Public Use in Paper Format • Materials not available online • Materials that are incomplete online • Materials that are unreliable online • Materials that serve special needs populations What are we still getting in tangible formats • Materials whose electronic dissemination costs are larger than tangible distribution costs. • Materials with legal requirements to distribute in tangible format. Available Electronic Subscriptions • StatUSA • Environmental Health Perspectives $ Value of Depository Collections • Historical Collections – See Bibliography • Current and future distributions in physical format and electronic subscriptions Going beyond monetary value and cost effectiveness studies Conveying the message • Basics – You must be convinced yourself - Know what you are selling and why – Be able to look at the big picture and establish a reputation for looking at the big picture – Choose your battles • Give when it is reasonable to give • Defend what is absolutely necessary Show the usefulness of the collection: both old and new • When you provide help to either your primary users or community user go the extra distance. • When possible give presentations at local civic organizations – Nothing works quite as well as having the University President's Rotary buddy wax lyrical the service given by the documents department Show the usefulness of the collection: both old and new -2 • Use your display spaces to good effect. – When possible display documents in the director's, provost's or president's area of interest – Include Documents in as many library displays as possible • identify them as documents • Use multiple formats if possible including web resources Depository requirement = benefits for library • Minimum technical standards can insure that libraries have equipment not only adequate for depository operations but also for the changing demands of bibliographic and full text, graphic databases. • Minimum e-competencies for depository staff can help insure all library staff have minimum skills to function in the current and future information environment. Brave New World • Still designing a new government information paradigm • Aftermath of 9/11 has provided shocks yet to be fully addressed to the access to federal information both now and in the future – Interior web site – Current review of Government information releases in both physical and electronic formats FDLP as advocate • ARL Lawyers • GPO – Questions the agencies on real necessity of withdrawing materials – Provides instructions, guidelines and procedures for handling withdrawing and sequestering material Future roles of GPO & the FDLP • GPO Partnerships • Electronic Initiatives • Future developments yet unknown Community of Depository Librarians • The FDLP has created a core of librarians nation wide with similar pressures, issues and concerns. • These librarians have created a helpful & cooperative fellowship that provides intellectual, moral, and technical support to both depository and non-depository library communities. Leaving the FDLP • Can no longer fulfill your obligations under the depository program – Lack of resources – Lack of expertise • One among many depository libraries in the area • Relatively new depository without significant historical collections • No longer an asset to the program