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Access to Public Information Program

Introduction

The Coalition for Networked Information (CNI) is undertaking a program with the overall purpose of improving public access to networked government information via the Internet. A major program in this area is essential since increasingly, (1) government information is in electronic formats, and (2) government agencies are becoming more knowledgeable about the Internet and how the network might be used to disseminate and better manage government information. CNI members recognize the importance of ensuring public access to this information.

The purpose of this program is to serve as a catalyst to encourage experimentation, innovation, and pilot projects to increase access to and delivery of Federal networked government information. The program seeks to encourage partnerships among Federal agencies, the education and library communities, the private sector, and other groups. The initiatives described within this program are beginning points which may stimulate additional ideas and proposals. As such, this program is seen as an initial step to stimulate the development of long-term solutions to improving access to and delivery of electronic government information.

This program supports directly the policy stated by President Bill Clinton in his "Technology for America's Economic Growth: A New Direction to Build Economic Strength," of February 22, 1993, in which he stated:

   "Government information is a public asset.  The government 
   will promote the timely and equitable access to government 
   information via a diverse array of sources, both public and 
   private, including state and local governments and libraries.  
   The development of public networks such as the Internet and 
   the National Research and Educational Network (NREN) will 
   contribute significantly to this diversity, enabling 
   government information to be disseminated inexpensively to a 
   broad range of users ... 

   We are committed to using new computer and networking 
   technology to make this [government] information more 
   available to the taxpayers who paid for it.  In addition, it 
   will require consistent Federal information policies designed 
   to ensure that Federal information is made available at a 
   fair price to as many users as possible while encouraging 
   growth of the information industry."

Each of the initial APIP initiatives will move forward with different schedules and levels of commitment depending on the availability of resources and community interest. The following sections provide summary information about each of these initiatives. These descriptions are still evolving and additional detail will be provided as the program develops.

Envision the Future of Access to and Delivery of Networked Federal Information

The development of the scenarios will be undertaken in a collaborative working environment and will result in a document or documents that can be circulated widely for additional comment and critique. CNI will seek to be inclusive in identifying appropriate participants who represent a broad cross section of the library and information community, in both public and private arenas. It is important to begin considering now the range of options that might evolve for making networked Federal information more accessible to the public.

CNI intends to convene a "Futures" workshop (tentative workshop date: mid summer '93) to identify, discuss, and define alternative futures for public access to electronic government information. The meeting will be invitational. Alternative scenarios of networked public information access and delivery will be developed. While the emphasis will be upon the development of institutionally mediated access and delivery pathways, it will be necessary to explore direct end-user pathways as well. The participants will discuss methods for making public information available using networked and electronic means; the roles of users, providers, and networks will be explored.

This component of the APIP has a number of benefits for a range of different stakeholder groups. It will: inspire creative approaches to enhancing public access to government information using new pathways made possible by networked information systems; bring together disparate elements of the library and information community to collaborate on ways to improve the research and education community's access to public information; and, encourage risk taking and new approaches to jump start the process of shifting to networked delivery of public information.

Improve GPO Depository Library Connectivity to and Programming of Networked Federal Information

The focus of this component is on improving the depository library's access to networked Federal information and not on the GPO depository library program per se. A range of different types of depository libraries will be identified to participate in this component of the APIP. The project will join the resources of regional networks to support of a number of depositories to explore how the depository libraries might best develop resources and services to support the delivery of electronic government information.

During March-April, 1993 the regional networks and depository libraries that will participate in the initiative will be identified. In the late Spring and throughout the Summer, 1993, meetings will take place among the participants to clarify activities and objectives for the initiative. During the remainder of the Summer and throughout the rest of 1993, it is anticipated that the libraries will be connected to the Internet, obtain training in the use of the network, and develop programs for accessing and delivering networked Federal information.

Establish a Visiting Program Officer to work with Federal Agencies for Networked Public Information

This component of the APIP will result in mutually beneficial exchanges of perspective and information between people inside and outside the Federal government who are involved in the planning, implementation, and operation of networked government information. Individuals will locate with CNI as the Visiting Program Officer in Washington D.C. for three to twelve months, depending on the requirements of the Federal agency initiative(s) or program(s) in which they are involved.

The goals of the program are to: promote the use of Internet as an infrastructure for access to and delivery of networked Federal information; mobilize the Internet expertise and resources of CNI member institutions and organizations for the benefit of developers of networked Federal information resources and services in Federal government agencies; and, stimulate the sharing of perspectives and information between developers of networked public information resources and services in Federal government agencies and developers of networked information resources and services in CNI member institutions and organizations.

An effort will be made, over time, to broaden this component to encompass networked information initiatives and programs of state and local government agencies in light of experience with the initiatives and programs of Federal government agencies. It is anticipated that the Visiting Program Officer will begin her/his appointment in the Summer or Fall of 1994.

Identify and Locate Networked Federal Resources

1. Participate in and Assist Federal Agency Efforts to Develop a Government-wide Information Inventory Locator System

   Currently, there is a Federal interagency working group composed of representatives from a number of agencies interested in designing and implementing such a system. They plan on developing a Z39.50 client / server, WAIS-based approach to serve as a locator system based, in part, on recommendations from a recent study recommending the development of an Internet-based locator system. Also being organized is a SIG-WAIS which expects to promote the development of Federal information resources being organized under Z39.50 standards to promote the use of WAIS and WAIS- like software. The APIP will lend its support to the development of these efforts. CNI member institutions may wish to participate in pilot projects or other types of experiments to assist the interagency working group in the development of the locator.

2. Promote the Establishment of an Internet Gopher to Provide Access to Networked Federal Information Databases

   Currently, there exists a number of government Internet servers that have not been designed under the Z39.50 standard. Nonetheless, these databases contain very useful information which users should (1) be aware that they exist, and (2) be able to access them via the gopher. The technology and procedures for developing a gopher are well- known and relatively straight-forward.

Arrange for a Modem Service for Remote Access to Washington, DC Area -Based Dial-up Services

To address this concern, CNI will arrange for an Internet modem service. The service will provide Internet users from outside the D.C. metropolitan area with a direct line into Federal EBBs. In addition, the service will serve as a means to generate interest in the utilization of Federal EBBs, demonstrate the value of accessing and using these resources, and provide incentive for other agencies to make their resources available through such mechanisms. This initiative is viewed as a pilot project to stimulate longer terms solutions for "local" access to Federal EBBs by remote users.

CNI will arrange for the development of a service that will provide Internet users from outside the D.C. metropolitan area (202, 703, 301 area codes) with a direct line into Federal EBBs within these area codes. The objective of the service is to provide low-cost means of access to Federal EBBs to those users with access to the Internet via a library, campus-based service, or other avenue such as commercially provided Internet access. The user will telnet to an Internet address, which will then provide a gateway to connect the user to the desired Federal EBB service. The service might be operated by a volunteer CNI member institution, CNI, or it could be contracted to some other organization.

Establish a Group to Coordinate the Making of Existing Electronic Government Information Available over the Internet

For example, one institution may take responsibility for making electronic government information from one particular agency available over the Internet. Another institution might take responsibility for making a particularly important database of government information available over the Internet. Other institutions may take responsibility for developing software or other "front-ends" to better access and use networked Federal information. Institutions already offering or prepared to offer such information over the Internet in the near future will be encouraged to informally share responsibility for making such electronic government information available to the broader Internet community.

This initiative is being deliberately designed as an informal, self-selected group which can introduce and provide electronic government information quickly, easily, and at no cost to the user on an experimental basis. Pilot institutions will collaborate and coordinate their efforts in creating a virtual library of electronic government information. In developing this effort, it is expected that one or two institutions will be identified to take on responsibility for coordinating this effort.

Promote Education and Provide Information about Access to and Delivery of Networked Federal Information

The videotape will be on the order of 10-15 minutes and will be accompanied by appropriate instructional material that viewers of the tape might use to support further learning and experimentation about access to electronic government information.

Other educational initiatives might be developed within this aspect of the APIP as the program evolves. For example, CNI may support: the development of a print/electronic newsletter describing networked Federal information resources; instructional modules about accessing networked Federal information resources; or, local and national workshops and seminars on accessing and using networked Federal information resources and services.

Conclusion: Importance of the APIP Initiative

The possible approaches for accomplishing the program goal of improved access to and delivery of public information are likely to be many, and they are likely to evolve within the APIP as it matures. The program summarize in the above demonstrates the willingness of CNI to stimulate progress toward improving public access to networked Federal information. Moreover, the program will provide valuable information and lessons from which others may profit for future initiatives in this area.