Obama wants better digital archive of federal records

"President Obama on Monday ordered agencies to make wider use of digital-based record-keeping systems in what aides promise will be the most significant change to government archiving since Harry S. Truman’s presidency...."

See rest of the article here.

The U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) has released its first mobile Web application (app), which provides the public with quick, easy access to information on Members of Congress. Based on the Guide to the House and Senate Members and information in the Congressional Pictorial Directory, the app allows users to browse for Members of Congress by last name, state, chamber, or party. Additionally, users can search by first and last name.

Of the new app, Public Printer Bill Boarman says, "GPO has experienced an incredible transformation in its 150 year history from handset type to handheld devices. We are very excited to release our first app for the public and provide a tool that will connect the public with Members of Congress. GPO looks forward to developing more apps in the future to provide the public with new options for accessing Government information."

To access the app on your mobile device, go to <http://m.gpo.gov/memberguide> or scan the QR code with your mobile device that is available at <http://www.gpo.gov/mobile/>.

Supported Devices

* iPad or iPhone (iOS 4.3.3 or higher)
* Android devices (Android 2.1 or higher)
* Blackberry devices (Blackberry 6.0 or higher)

Farewell, Statistical Abstract.

A source for free government photos and images

Looking for photographs or images to use that are in the public domain? Start your search at usa.gov with U.S. Government Photos and Images. It includes many images that are in the public domain and can be freely used and that are broken down by topic. See the link here.

(Original article discussing freely available government images ran in Spring /11 Documents to the People by Rebecca Hyde and Lucia Orlando; issue is available here.)

Historical Map Collection Now Online

From a recent email from the USGS coordinator:

"Nearly 90,000 high resolution scans of the more than 200,000 historical
USGS topographic maps, some dating as far back as 1884, are now available
on-line from the US Geological Survey. The Historical Topographic Map
Collection includes published U.S. topographic maps of all scales and
editions, and are offered as a georeferenced digital download or as a
printed copy from the USGS Store....

Historical maps are an important national resource as they provide the
long-term record and documentation of the natural, physical and cultural
landscape. The history documented by this collection and the analysis of
distribution and spatial patterns is invaluable throughout the sciences
and non-science disciplines. Genealogists, historians, anthropologists,
archeologists and others use this collection for research as well as for a
framework on which a myriad of information can be presented in relation to
the landscape. For more than 130 years, the USGS topographic mapping
program has accurately portrayed the complex geography of our nation
through maps using the lithographic printing process. The historical
collection contains high resolution scanned images from the USGS legacy
series and other sources...."

Check out the collection here.

S&P may face probe on mortgages

Rating company S&P is being investigated by the Department of Justice for its possible role in the financial collapse.

"Ratings agency Standard & Poor's is being investigated by the U.S. Justice Department for allegedly overrating mortgage-backed securities, whose meltdown led to the 2008 financial crisis, according to two sources with knowledge of the investigation. "

Check out the full story on CNN here.

Newly cataloged FBI files

Check out the new(ish) electronic resource for viewing scans of FBI files as the FBI's "The Vault" page, located here. It includes PDF scans of files on individuals, specific events, groups and happenings that the FBI has investigated over the years.

State of Nevada launches new website

The State of Nevada's website has a new look! Check it out here.

Bill Passed by House Would Provide No Money for GPO's Federal Digital System, Sharply Cuts Other Information Resources

See the Library Journal article here.

Change in open record law in NV affecting concealed-carry weapon permits.

Check out the Reno Gazette-Journal editor's take on the change that took effect July 1st, and a previously published article on the change here.

Nevada State Agencies links

Check out a handy list of Nevada-specific state agency links here.

US Government Shutting Down Half Its Websites

"The White House is requiring the federal government to cut their 24,000 websites down by half in the next year. This will reduce taxpayer expense, as well as give them easier access to official portals.

The order was made because many of the websites the government currently operates were deemed redundant, out-dated, or hard to use. The Office of Management and Budget has issued a 90-day freeze on new .gov registrations to get the ball rolling. And the Energy Department has already begun to consolidate its sites, saving taxpayers $10 million a year.

In the next 120 days, each governmental agency will have the chance to check out Data.gov to see which sites need saving and which will get the ax. They could call it spring cleaning."

Apps and sources of information on Congress.

Check out this article that covers some smartphone apps and other sources of information about Congress and its members and happenings.

USDA updates dietary guidelines, gets rid of the food pyramid

Via CNN: "The food pyramid has been dismantled in favor of a simple plate icon that urges Americans to eat a more plant-based diet.

One half of your plate should be filled with fruits and vegetables, with whole grains and lean protein on the other half, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Low-fat dairy on the side, such as a cup of skim milk or yogurt, is also suggested.

The new icon, MyPlate is designed to remind Americans to adopt healthier eating habits, in a time when more than one-third of children and more than two-thirds of adults in the United States are overweight or obese."

You can look at the USDA's revamped MyPlate page here.

What is FDsys?

For a short and entertaining video, check out the Youtube video put together by The University of Colorado. Here's the link.

Consumer Services Publications from the state of Nevada

The Nevada Division of Insurance has some great guides for helping consumers navigate the ins and outs of obtaining and evaluating different types of insurance. There's a guide to auto insurance rates, earthquake insurance, flood insurance, home insurance, title insurance, and more. Check out their main page here.

Senators allowed to alter Congressional Record.

Check out this CNN article about a senator's alteration to his statements made on the floor. Certainly some food for thought!

The U.S. Government Manual is updated!

It's available online here. There's also a great informative post discussing what the Manual IS that was put together by the Federal Register--take a look at that here.

"The United States Government Manual is the official handbook of the Federal Government. (It is)updated to provide comprehensive and authoritative descriptions of the programs and activities of the legislative, judicial, and executive branches. The Government Manual also includes information about quasi-official agencies, international organizations with U.S. membership, and Federal boards, commissions, and committees."

A report from the Nevada Controller's Office

This is an interesting and short report that gives a brief overview of the state's revenues and expenses over the last fiscal year. It also discusses the plans and goals for the state's fiscal future.

Check it out here.

President Obama's speech on Libya

If you'd like to read the transcript of the President's speech it is available here. Or you can view the video here.

A fun government document that lets kids explore history--

Check out the History Mystery Examiner, an interactive government website that lets kids (or adults) explore mysterious happenings that took place on public lands. Check out the History Mystery Examiner here.

Reno Gazette-Journal highlights local census results.

Take a look at the article and some interactive charts here.

Want information on the Nevada Department of Transportation?

Check out their annual factbooks here.

"NDOT produces a helpful and informative Fact Book to provide the Legislature and the public historical and current statistical information describing the department's operations and factors that drive Nevada's multimodal transportation programs."

USGS National Map Viewer

Want detailed and customizable maps of the United States? Look no further than the National Map Viewer put together by the U.S. Geological Survey.

This map is a complex and powerful tool and FAQs and a quick-start guide are available here.

Tax help at Washoe County Libraries!

It’s that time of year again – tax season! AARP and IRS Certified VITA/TCE Volunteer Preparers will offer free tax help at the following Washoe County libraries:


* Downtown Reno Library: Mondays and Tuesdays, 12:30-4 p.m., February 1-April 18, no appointments taken.

* North Valleys Library: Thursdays and Saturdays, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., February 3-April 14, appointments required; call 972-0281.

* Northwest Reno Library: Wednesdays, 2:30-6:30 p.m., Saturdays, 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., February 2-April 13; no appointments taken, preference given to seniors and low-income individuals.

* Senior Center (Reno Game Room): Mondays and Thursdays, 9-11:30 a.m., February 7-April 14, no appointment necessary.

* Sierra View Library: Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Saturdays, noon-4 p.m., February 2-April 13, appointments recommended but not required.

* South Valleys Library: Wednesdays, 4-6:30 p.m., Saturdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., February 2-April 13. Appointments recommended but not required; call 851-5195 to schedule. Preference given to seniors.

* Spanish Springs Library: Thursdays, 1-4 p.m., February 10-April 14, appointments accepted and can be made by calling 424-1800.

• Sparks Library: Saturdays, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., January 29-April 16. Appointments are required and can be made in person or by calling 352-3205.

For more information and tax help, the public should contact the IRS office at 200 South Virginia St., Reno, NV 89501, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., (775) 824-2218 or www.irs.gov.