Notable Government Documents in Library Journal

"Each year the Notable Documents Panel of the Government Documents Round Table (GODORT) selects about 40 titles issued by intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) and governments at all levels (foreign national, and U.S. federal, state, and local). Works in all formats are fair game, as are items published for IGOs and governments by private publishers. What’s the point of all this? To raise the profile of government information."

Take a look at a discussion of some of last year's notable documents here.

The bipartisan Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism has released a new report. The report "The Clock is Ticking: A Progress Report on America's Preparedness to Prevent Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism" looks at the US government's attempts to address threats and their assessment is that the US is failing to address its most urgent threat - bioterrorism.

The report can be found directly at http://www.preventwmd.gov/static/docs/report/WMDRpt10-20Final.pdf or from the Commission's website -- http://www.preventwmd.gov/

Their earlier report "World at Risk" can be found at http://www.preventwmd.gov/report/

WASHOE COUNTY WINS national DIGITAL GOVERNMENT AWARD

Washoe County has been recognized as a winner for its use of technology in the national Center for Digital Government’s 2009 Digital Counties Survey in the 250,000 to 499,000 population category.

The 2009 Digital Counties Survey is an annual study by the Center and the National Association of Counties (NACo), which identifies best practices and recognizes those counties with exemplary digital service to their citizens by embracing new technologies to involve citizens, moving toward transparent government and increasing green and sustainable measures, while continuing to improve online services.

“Our County Commission and employees recognize the power of technology in meeting the public service needs of our community,” Washoe County Manager Katy Simon observed. “Citizens expect their local governments to provide services 24/7 through the use of technology, and this national award recognizes Washoe County’s progress toward meeting those expectations.”

Please visit www.washoecounty.us to learn more about Washoe County services. For more information about the Digital Counties Survey, please visit: www.centerdigitalgov.com/

The October 2009 issue of the NTIS Technical Reports Newsletter is now available from http://www.ntis.gov/pdf/ntrnews2-4.pdf.

In this issue we feature the NTIS subject categories Problem Solving Information for State & Local Governments (43), Communication (45), Computers, Control & Information Theory (62), and Administration & Management (70).

Previous issues of the Newsletter are available from http://www.ntis.gov/rss/NTRnews.aspx.

Keep up with the newest information available from NTIS on a daily basis by following us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ntisinfo.

The 2nd annual LSCM Year in Review has been released and addresses topics including digitization, strategic planning, the ILS, authentication, automated metadata extraction, marketing, the FDLP Desktop, the Federal Depository Library Handbook, and more.

The 2009 LSCM Year in Review is available electronically on the FDLP Desktop at <http://www.fdlp.gov/component/docman/doc_download/1067-lscm-fy2009-year-in-review>

House takes step toward opening the CRS

From ALA.

Rep. Frank Kratovil (D-MD) recently introduced a bill, H.R. 3762, into the House of Representatives to make published Congressional Research Service (CRS) reports available to the public via the Internet.

More than $100 million tax dollars are spent each year to fund CRS, which generates detailed reports for Congressional lawmakers and their staff. This bipartisan legislation, introduced with fellow freshman Rep. Leonard Lance (R-NJ), would make published CRS reports available to the public in an effort to increase transparency and help citizens become more informed and engaged advocates.

This recent House activity complements Senate Resolution 118, introduced by Sen. Lieberman (I-CT) in April 2009.

Government websites receives recognition from RUSA.

A few government websites were highlighted in RUSA's Best Reference Web Sites of 2009.

RUSA says of the EPA site, "Well organized, very interactive, and full of information for all, the EPA site offers news, local information, teacher resources, multimedia (videos, photos, audios), resources, and even a trivia quiz, all accessible from the homepage. The “For Youth” section includes tabs for elementary, middle, and high school students while “Work with Us” offers career, grant, and contract information. The site shows lots of depth, too, with navigation tabs for “Learn the Issues”, “Science & Technology”, “Laws & Regulations”, “Newsroom”, and “About EPA”; each is a treasure trove of information in itself, adding to the usefulness and comprehensiveness of the site. "

Check out the page here.

RUSA says of the White House site: "With prominent links to the President’s Weekly Address, the National Budget, and the economic recovery plan, the searchable site also provides links for both current news (“The Briefing Room”), the administration’s “Agenda” (nicely narrowed by topic), and ways to learn about “Our Government”, especially the Executive Branch. “The Administration” lists the President, First Lady, Cabinet members, White House Staff and even the Vice-President and his wife; “About the White House” tours the building itself and its former residents, Air Force One, and Camp David. "

Check out the page here.

RUSA says of the World Health Organization site: "The web site of the World Health Organization (WHO) tracks current international health emergencies and disease outbreaks, and offers extensive information on diseases and health issues affecting the global population. Visitors to the site will find an interactive Global Health Atlas with mapping interface, statistical databases covering the health status of each WHO member country, and full-text access to WHO’s publications, including journals, reports, and bulletins. The web site’s Fact Sheets provide excellent overviews of various international health topics and are an ideal resource for high-school and college students beginning their research. "

Check out the page here.

Check out RUSA's other Best Reference Sites here.