Resolution on Access to National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Publications
WHEREAS, open, unfettered, and no-fee access to information collected, compiled, or funded by government is a basic tenet of a democratic society; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Defense’s National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) announced in the November 18, 2004 Federal Register (69 FR 67546) its intent “to remove its Flight Information Publications (FLIP), Digital Aeronautical Flight Information File (DAFIF), and related aeronautical safety of navigation digital and hardcopy publications from public sale and distribution” effective October 1, 2005; and
WHEREAS, in the Federal Register notice NGA states that access to these products will be limited to “U.S. Federal and State government employees, authorized government contractors, and international agencies that currently receive these products under formal or informal geospatial data exchange arrangements” in order to protect national security, uphold terms of bi-lateral data-sharing agreements, avoid competition with commercial entities and avoid copyright and intellectual property disputes; and
WHEREAS, considerable research and educational value exists in the NGA maps, charts and geospatial data, and removing this information will significantly impair public access; and
WHEREAS, evidence suggests that when NGA maps, charts and geospatial data are available only from commercial sources, public access is curtailed; and
WHEREAS, online data integrity concerns do not affect printed maps that are being included in the class of products to be removed; and
WHEREAS, the Federal Register notice states that the removal of this information from public access is to prevent “unfettered access to air facility data by those intending harm to the United States, its interests or allies”; and
WHEREAS, the American Library Association (ALA) recognizes the federal government’s legitimate interest in protecting national security and public safety while preserving the public’s right to know; and
WHEREAS, neither the Final Report of the 9/11 Commission nor the Rand study Mapping the Risks: Assessing the Homeland Security Implications of Publicly Available Geospatial Information found evidence that terrorists have made or are likely to make use of the maps, charts and geospatial data scheduled for removal; and
WHEREAS, public and media access to geospatial data of the damage caused by the tsunami of December 26, 2004, re-emphasized the importance of providing this data freely to the public; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the American Library Association (ALA) urge the Department of Defense’s National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency continue the public sale and no-fee distribution of the NGA Flight Information Publications (FLIP), the Digital Aeronautical Flight Information File (DAFIF) and related aeronautical safety of navigation digital and hardcopy publications; and be it further
RESOLVED, that American Library Association urge Congress to hold timely oversight hearings on the proposed removal from public access of NGA maps, charts and geospatial data.
Approved by GODORT Legislation Committee, January 17, 2005 ADOPTED by Government Information Subcommittee, ALA Committee on Legislation, January 17, 2005 ENDORSED in principle by MAGERT, January 17, 2005 ENDORSED in principle by the GODORT Membership, January 17, 2005
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Resolution Opposing GPO's Decision to Eliminate Print Distribution of Important Government Information
WHEREAS, the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) was established by Congress more than 150 years ago as a geographically dispersed system to provide no-fee public access to government information; and
WHEREAS, the FDLP has proven to be a very successful partnership among Congress, federal agencies, the courts, the Government Printing Office (GPO), depository libraries, and the American public in ensuring the public’s right to know; and
WHEREAS, the American Library Association (ALA) has always supported the move to a more electronic FDLP and embraces the benefits of technology to improve public access, yet recognizes that user needs vary; and
WHEREAS, ALA and user groups have responded to recent requests for planning input from the Public Printer of the United States by emphasizing the needs for dissemination of appropriate formats of government information; and
WHEREAS, government information must be disseminated in a usable format that meets the diverse needs of the American public, and print may be the most appropriate format to serve congressional constituents; and
WHEREAS, the Superintendent of Documents recently informed the library community that GPO’s FY 2006 Salaries and Expenses (S&E) appropriations request for the FDLP will include funding to cover little more than the cost of production and distribution of the 50 titles on the Essential Titles for Public Use in Paper Format (http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/pubs/estitles.html); and
WHEREAS, the Essential Titles list has not been revised since 2000 and does not include important materials including maps, geological information, administrative decisions and other legal materials, Senate and House reports, documents, and hearings that inform the citizenry of the workings of Congress; and
WHEREAS, GPO has not yet established a reliable system ensuring delivery, authenticity, permanent public access, and preservation of electronic information products they disseminate and make available online; and
WHEREAS, research and information technology standards and best practices have not yet been developed to the point of ensuring authenticity and preservation of electronic information products; and
WHEREAS, depository libraries make significant investments to participate in the FDLP and expend substantial resources for: staff and administration; facilities and shelving; technological infrastructure, including hardware, software, and network capabilities needed to support electronic access; connectivity charges; cataloging and binding costs; and additional commercial products and databases that are recommended by the GPO to facilitate use of government information collections; and
WHEREAS, the January 2005 GPO Update distributed at the 2005 ALA Midwinter Meeting describes a Print on Demand (POD) Allowance Program of $500 for selective depository libraries and $1500 for 53 regional depository libraries for titles that are not on the Essential Titles List; and
WHEREAS, the proposed POD allowance fails to provide sufficient funds to purchase print titles previously distributed at no cost to participating libraries; and
WHEREAS, the change to POD to acquire print materials will add significant additional administrative and operating costs to depository libraries, and,
WHEREAS, the rapid move to an almost all-electronic depository library program fails to meet the needs of many congressional constituents who are economically or technologically disadvantaged and others who cannot make use of necessary technological infrastructure to access electronic government information; and
WHEREAS, the FY 2006 S&E appropriations request prematurely shifts operational emphasis from the production and distribution of print products to the development of new initiatives; and
WHEREAS, GPO’s new initiatives should not come at the expense of public access to usable formats or place undue new burdens on the American public and depository libraries; and
WHEREAS, in the past ALA has always supported the full funding of GPO’s S&E appropriation because priority was given to acquisition, production and distribution of depository materials to meet the diverse needs of all users; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the American Library Association urge the Government Printing Office (GPO) to provide government information in appropriate formats, including print titles as identified by the depository library community, that meet the needs of the American public; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the American Library Association urge Congress to increase GPO’s FY 2006 Salaries and Expenses (S&E) appropriations to maintain production and distribution of print materials to depository libraries at the FY 2004 level; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the American Library Association urge Congress to require that GPO maintain production and distribution of print materials to depository libraries at no less than the FY 2004 level; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the American Library Association urge Congress to hold timely oversight hearings on GPO’s new initiatives and changes to the Federal Depository Library Program.
Adopted by the American Library Association’s Committee on Legislation, 17 January 2005 Endorsed in principle by COL/GIS 17 January 2005 Endorsed in principle by GODORT Legislation Committee 17 January 2005 Endorsed in principle by FAFLRT 17 January 2005