Public use of computers for government info


GPO understands the desire to serve a library's primary users. However,
depository libraries must also serve the government information needs of the
general public. While time limits can be included in a depository's written
Internet access policy, they cannot be targeted at public users of
electronic government information. Depository libraries must provide access
to electronic Federal government information to all users equally,
regardless of whether they are the library's primary users.
This requirement is explained in the Depository Library Public Service
Guidelines for Government Information in Electronic Formats, available at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/mgt/pseguide.html
The policy states that "depository libraries should have a written policy regarding
public services for Government information in electronic formats. This
policy should contain provisions for no-fee access to computer workstations
with CD-ROMs, diskettes, and the Internet. These should be equal to or
exceed the services provided for other collections of the library."
However, there are options available to depository libraries that wish to
impose time limits on non-primary user groups. For example, one or more
computer workstations, that are not subject to the time limit, could be set
aside for users of depository materials. The time limit could also be waived
for users for government information.