Database company to take over Statistical Abstract

According to Booklist, database vendor ProQuest will take over publishing the Statistical Abstract in 2013. This is great news as the government has had to cut funding for this valuable resource.

"ProQuest will rescue one of researchers’ most valued reference tools when it takes on publication of the Statistical Abstract of the United States beginning with the 2013 edition. The move ensures continuation of this premier guide to an extraordinary array of statistics, which has been published since 1878. The U.S. Census Bureau, responsible for publishing the work, announced in March 2011 that it would cease production of the Statistical Abstract after the 2012 edition, prompting widespread concern among librarians, journalists, and researchers about the disappearance of this essential research tool."

Check out the rest of the press release here.

The Census Bureau publishes some facts about Mother's Day

It's a little early yet, but you can take a look at some motherhood statistics compiled and published by the Census Bureau here.

They've previously released statistics on other holidays and occasions; you can view those here.

Top Five Formerly Top Secret Documents

Check out an article from Duke University librarian that discusses no-longer top secret documents. View it here.

To learn more about the government transparency-highlighting initiative mentioned in the article, Sunshine Week, take a look at the initiative's website, www.sunshineweek.org.