Government Information Essentials

Susanne Caro

• Publisher: ALA Editions
• Year: 2017
• Print ISBN:
  9780838915974
• eBook ISBN:
  9780838916087
• Topic: Languages & Linguistics
• Subtopic: Library & Information Science
• Index: Languages & Linguistics

PART I

Advice for the New Document Professional

HAYLEY JOHNSON

1

Networking and Training

Essential Tools for Collaboration and Learning

WITH ONLY 1,151 DEPOSITORY LIBRARIES spread across the United States and its territories, the community of government information professionals is relatively small when compared with the estimated 119,487 total libraries in the United States.

Because of the small size of the group, government information professionals must often be very self-directed. Almost always, librarians have colleagues within their library to assist them in learning the “tricks of the trade” and to help them find their footing. In government information, however, you are usually a solo player hidden within the larger library team environment. In addition to being the lone specialist, a few other obstacles tend to isolate government information departments and professionals even further. First, we have our own unique classification system. Second, we have our own set of rules that we are federally mandated to follow, which can often include policies different from those of our library as a whole. Finally, our collections are usually physically isolated from the library’s main collections. When you add the perceptions of “otherness” and “difficulty” into the mix, you end up with the perfect storm of obstacles that can leave government information professionals stranded on a deserted island searching for ways to connect.

Having worked as a government information librarian for several years, I have realized that training and networking provide the foundational elements that are necessary for success. An environment of collaboration, cooperation, and sharing of information is essential to the continued viability of government information and its practitioners.

Through networking and training, government information professionals gain the ability to educate not only themselves but also their fellow professionals and members of the public. With this education, they are prepared to be advocates for government information and its applicability across disciplines.

NETWORKING

Sending Out an SOS

Networking can seem like a daunting task for government information professionals because our community is such a small and specialized one. Thankfully, holding depository status automatically connects you to a foundational network system designated through the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP).

One core value of the FDLP is based on the idea of a network. This core value is “collaboration and communication: A strong depository library network built on transparent, open communication and collaboration between and among depository libraries, Federal agencies, and GPO.”1 A network is formed through the cultivation of productive relationships whereby an exchange of information can take place. When a library receives its designation as a federal depository, the library becomes part of a national network of depositories whose purpose is to assist all members of the public in the understanding of their government and its activities through the provision of publications issued by government agencies.

Government information professionals are automatically tied together via the shared goal of providing access to government information to the public. Although depository libraries form a large network through their affiliation with the FDLP, that network and connection extend to all the librarians and professionals within those depositories as well.

Although the network exists nationally, the same idea is present on the state level. For example, Louisiana has a council for both state and federal documents. The Louisiana Federal Depository Library Council implements the state’s plan for federal depository libraries. The council acts in an advisory capacity and meets twice a year to review any issues and discuss new developments in the depository world. These meetings also present an opportunity to meet with fellow depository coordinators and conduct any pertinent training sessions. The same tenets of the national network are condensed into a state-focused network.

The main structure of networking is put into place through the depository system mechanisms. To begin networking, you simply take advantage of the connections that are already established. When in doubt, start at the top with the regional depository and its coordinator.

Understand and Use Your Regional Depository

Your regional depository should serve as a beacon that guides you through any obstacles that you may encounter as a selective depository coordinator. Regional libraries provide services such as interlibrary loan, reference services, and assistance in the disposition of unwanted items.

Need help with weeding or collection development? Need to move your collection and don’t know where to start? These are all issues that regional depository coordinators are there to help with. These regional depository coordinators have a vested interest in the success of their selective depository libraries. Because of this vested interest, regional depositories take a leadership role within the depository community and often organize workshops and training events and conduct meetings to stay in touch with all selective depositories under their purview.

Regional and selective depositories must follow the Legal Requirements and Program Regulations of the Federal Depository Library Program, but the superseded Federal Depository Library Handbook still serves as a valid source of explanatory information for depository libraries. The FDL Handbook discusses two broad functions of regional libraries and coordinators that lay the foundation for all their other services. First, “a regional library ensures the integrity of its region’s depository resources.”2 Resources include tangible items, quality of reference services, community awareness of resources, and selective coordinator expertise. Second, “a regional [library] serves as a leader, not only within its region, but nationally as well.”3 Regionals should keep current on all facets of government information as well as FDLP rules, best practices, and changes in order to communicate those to their selective depositories. The regional library should serve as the connector between the selective libraries and the FDLP.

Ultimately, your regional coordinator should have open lines of communication and be actively engaged in the needs and successes of all the region’s selective depositories.

Call on Your Colleagues

Take advantage of the knowledge that your colleagues possess. Other government information librarians and professionals within your state have faced the same challenges as you and have asked the same questions. This community is always willing to share knowledge. All you have to do is ask!

Having a shared goal helps form a network, but another fundamental tenet of networking is collaboration. The willingness to collaborate keeps the network alive and vibrant. Collaboration can occur not only between depository libraries but also between depositories and other libraries or organizations. Collaboration forges connections that not only assist you as the librarian but also help ensure the best possible service for your depository patrons.

Collaboration equals connection, which leads to the continuance and enhancement of your depository and its services. One easy way to collaborate is to seek out your neighboring selective depositories and learn more about the collection strengths of those libraries. Opening the lines of communication with your fellow selective coordinators and understanding the strengths of other collections allow you to better serve patrons who may be able to use depository collections outside your library.

Don’t be afraid to look to other types of libraries or organizations for collaboration opportunities as well. If, for example, your library is an academic depository, partner with your local public library to provide informational programming. Opportunities abound. Share resources such as USA.gov or conduct a program on taxes during tax season. Take the time to learn how government information can assist those patrons and collaborate with the local public library to expand your depository presence. Getting the word out about the usefulness of government information collections is important, and there are multiple venues you can use to do that.

Find a Mentor and Get a “Buddy”

A mentor can be your regional coordinator, a colleague within the state, or even someone that you are connected to through a mentoring program or have met at a conference. As vice-chair of Louisiana’s Government Documents Round Table (GODORT), I was tasked with securing a speaker for our business meeting held during the annual state association conference. I decided to research government information librarians who made contributions in the realm of depository collection promotion and services. Suzanne Sears, currently the associate dean for Public Services at the University of North Texas Libraries and past chair of American Library Association (ALA) GODORT, had dedicated a large portion of her career to working with government documents. In 2003, Suzanne’s depository was awarded the FDLP’s first ever Depository of the Year award. Needless to say, Suzanne has a wealth of knowledge and experience to draw upon and graciously agreed to be our keynote speaker. Through communicating in preparation for her speech and spending time together at the conference, Suzanne and I were able to establish a rapport. She is now someone to whom I can turn for professional advice and is always willing to spare time to share her knowledge and experience with those in need. For me, Suzanne represents the strong contingent of professionals within the government information community who are always willing to share their knowledge and experience with others. They recognize the value in serving as mentors because they know that it ensures the future success of government information.

Begun in 2009, the ALA GODORT Buddy Program connects new and prospective GODORT members to active members who provide a personal introduction to GODORT during a conference. Your buddy will attend a GODORT reception with you, introduce you to fellow GODORT members, speak to you about the section, and give advice on making the most of your conference attendance. Ideally, your buddy checks in on you during the course of the conference and becomes a source of advice and information.

Get Involved and Be Active

ALA GODORT is the national professional association section for government information professionals and provides a number of resources for librarians who work with government information. This section serves as a discussion forum, tool kit, and hub for continuing education and training for all librarians who work with government information.

Each state library association should also have a section or round table devoted to government information. When you join your state association, become a member of the GODORT section as well so that you will be connected to the government information professionals throughout your state. Your state GODORT section will usually have an electronic discussion list to connect you to all the section members throughout the state so that you can post questions, discussion threads, and other topics of interest.

Remember—don’t just join a GODORT section. Become an active member. It’s the only way to get the most out of your membership and maximize your networking opportunities. Volunteer for any committees that may be working on a project, such as revising the section bylaws. You can begin to learn about the inner workings of the section and work with fellow government information professionals. You will meet people while learning valuable information. Getting involved is easy and does not need to be intimidating. Everyone appreciates volunteers. If it interests you, volunteer!

Innovate and Take Chances

Effective networking can also mean that you are open to new endeavors. For example, I recently participated in the 2016 Depository Library Council Virtual Meeting (www.fdlp.gov/​academy/​2016-depository-library-council-virtual-meeting). At this meeting, a virtual poster session was held for the first time. I participated, along with three fellow librarians in this new venture. Through participating in something new, I was able to tell my fellow depository librarians about the work that I was doing, interact with others in my field, and learn from them as well. No one knew how the live online presentation would be received or what types of technical difficulties we might encounter, but we all recognized the value of attempting a new way to reach members of the government information community.

Reach out to state and federal agencies as well. You can make contacts at those places that will be a wealth of knowledge. Recently, I read that the Census Bureau had released a new service suite titled “Census Business Builder.” I reached out to the Louisiana State Census Data Center and was able to obtain a training session that was held during a GODORT business meeting. The feedback I received from attendees was amazing. The attendees were thrilled with the training from the State Census Data Center representative, and the center representative was extremely happy to be asked to participate. You can never know if agencies are willing to participate until you ask. Often, you will be surprised by the helpfulness and enthusiasm you encounter.

TRAINING

Sometimes You Just Have to Build Your Own Raft

For many years, there have been calls for continued and expanded training for government information professionals. Several articles have detailed the shortfall in government information education that most librarians face in library and information science (LIS) programs, and just as many have cited self-instruction as one of the main ways that government information professionals learn. A study conducted to evaluate the readiness of librarian...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Contents
• Introduction
• Part I | Advice for the New Document Professional
• Part II | Collection Management
• Part III | Working with Collections
• Part IV | Teaching and Training
• Part V | Advocacy and Events
• Appendix A | General Resources
• Appendix B | Sample Project Plan
• Appendix C | Sources for Space Planning—Best Practices
• Appendix D | Map Resources
• Appendix E | Spanish-Language Resources
• Appendix F | Library Guide Resources
• Author Biographies
• Index