NCLIS Proposes New Federal
Government Information Agency
The U.S. National Commission on Library and Information Science (NCLIS) has proposed legislation that would establish a new federal government information agency. The body, to be called the Public Information Resources Agency (PIRA), would “serve as the federal government’s focal point for providing timely dissemination and permanent public availability for its public information resources.”
The agency, to be part of the Executive Branch, would consolidate the Superintendent of Documents, the Government Printing Office (including the Federal Depository Library Program), and the National Technical Information Service.
The proposal was part of a major study of federal information dissemination unveiled at NCLIS’s November 15th meeting in Washington, D.C. Other recommendations include the creation of information-resources offices in the Legislative and Judicial branches; an interbranch Council on Public Information Resources; and a Public Information Resource Users Council made up of librarians and representatives from state and local government, public-interest groups, and trade associations.
NCLIS is seeking written comments on the study from the public before submitting its final report to Congress and the administration December 15. A public hearing is set for December 4 in Washington, D.C.
Posted November 20, 2000.
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