Informing the Nation. Federal Information Dissemination in an Electronic Age. Summary

Book excerpt: This report summarizes a study conducted by the Office of Technology Assessment which addressed the opportunities offered by technological advances to improve the dissemination of federal information essential to public understanding of many issues facing Congress and the Nation. Two major problems are highlighted: maintaining equity in public access to federal information in electronic formats, and defining the respective roles of federal agencies and the private sector in the electronic dissemination process. The report focuses on current and future roles of the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) and the Superintendent of Documents, the Depository Library Program--administered by the GPO--and the National Technical Information Service (NTIS). In addition, the report suggests technical/management improvements and statutory/oversight changes, and examines opportunities for the electronic dissemination of congressional information. A list of related reports and general information on the Office of Technology Assessment are attached. (Information formats considered include paper, microfiche, computer tapes and diskettes, compact disks, and online databases.) (CGD)