No-Fee Access to NTIS Online Reports Through the FDLP The Government Printing Office (GPO) and the National Technical Information Service (NTIS) are pleased to announce that Federal depository libraries now have access to online technical reports from NTIS. The pilot project, first announced last October, provides access to bibliographic records for approximately 240,000 publications from 1964-2000 from the NTIS data storage and retrieval system. Through "DARTS: Depository Access to Reports, Technical & Scientific," depository libraries are able to download at no charge the full-text electronic documents for which links are available and, in the near future, they will have the option to purchase print, microfiche or CD/DVD copies from NTIS. This is the first time that NTIS content has been available to the entire depository library community. The technical reports found in this NTIS collection span more than 35 years and provide depositories with unique online content. Through DARTS it is believed that a substantial number of fugitive documents are now available through the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP). As was explained when the announcement was made last fall, the responsibility for providing this content to depository libraries lies with the publishing agencies and not with NTIS as an aggregator. NTIS is exempt from FDLP obligations by the provisions of Title 44, United States Code, Section 1903 because its products and services "must necessarily be sold in order to be self-sustaining." NTIS receives no appropriations and must recover all its costs from sales. During the pilot, information will be gathered and reviewed, including any impact on the financial stability of NTIS. Some adjustments may have to be made in the pilot if a negative financial impact is realized, since we cannot undermine the financial stability of NTIS. However, both NTIS and GPO expect that the pilot will validate the assumption that NTIS can participate in the FDLP with its electronic content without suffering an economic loss that would be in violation of its legal requirements to be self-sustaining. GPO is very pleased that NTIS has such a positive view of the value of participating in the FDLP. Now that the beta test period is over, DARTS is open to all regional depository libraries and all libraries that volunteered to participate in the beta test. Instructions for signing up will be available to other selective depositories by the end of next week and will require submission of a verification form signed by the library director. Libraries signing up for access to the NTIS database will be placed in a queue based on the date and time of GPO's receipt of the signed verification form. NTIS will provide access instructions to approximately 200 libraries every other week until all selecting libraries have access. This schedule will allow NTIS staff sufficient time to establish the depository library accounts. If you need more information about the NTIS pilot project, the initial FDLP-L posting is available at: http://listserv.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/wa.exe?A2=ind0611&L=gpo-fdlp-l&D=0&P=721

Psychological Needs of Military Personnel & Families are Increasing FYI - a new report developed by an APA Presidential Task Force on Military Deployment Services for Youth, Families and Service Members was just released by the American Psychological Association. The report "The Psychological Needs of U.S. Military Service Members and Their Families: A Preliminary Report" is available at http://www.apa.org/releases/MilitaryDeploymentTaskForceReport.pdf The press release and information about the report is available at http://www.apa.org/releases/military_health.html

U.S. Forest Service documentary to air Check your local PBS listing Greatest Good Sunday, February 25, 2007 3 - 5:00 pm (San Antonio) THE GREATEST GOOD chronicles the rich history of the U.S. Forest Service in celebration of the agency's centennial. The documentary, narrated by CBS News veteran Charles Osgood, uses rarely seen footage and photography, sweeping aerial shots and dozens of interviews to tell this complex and compelling American story. The story of the U.S. Forest Service turns along this axis of exploitation and protection. Founded in 1905 - before environmentalism and the National Park Service - the U.S. Forest Service mission was twofold: manage public lands by conserving natural resources and maximizing their social benefits. The two-hour film traces the Forest Service's efforts to deliver the most benefits to the most people, while still remaining conscientious stewards of the land. THE GREATEST GOOD also profiles the Forest Service employees who developed ways of addressing major natural resource issues, including grazing, fire, wilderness, game and wildlife, watershed protection, recreation and timber.

When Visiting D.C. The US Census Bureau is pleased to announce that the Census Bureau Library will be installed in its new quarters in time for ALA 2007. To celebrate the newest federal library in the Washington DC area, the Library has scheduled 2 open houses to coincide with this June's convention. ALA has placed a notice on its website: http://www.ala.org/ala/eventsandconferencesb/annual/2007a/otherevents.htm Tour the Newest Federal Government Library ALA-FAFLRT Friday, June 22, 1:00-3:00 pm OR Tuesday, June 26, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm The U.S. Census Bureau Library is celebrating the Grand Opening of our new building. Come join the Census' Library staff in touring our new facility. The new Bureau of the Census facility is a state of the art structure with 1.5 million square feet, designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, who also designed America's tallest building, Chicago's Sears Tower. Glass and green-tinted concrete walls have a shield of willow farmed tropical species wood. The U.S. Bureau of Census is the largest statistical agency of the federal government and premier source of information about the American people & the economy. Bring Photo ID. Address is 4700 Silver Hill Rd., Suitland, Maryland, 20746. Take Green line Metro to Suitland- Federal Center stop and meet at Bureau of Census Security Gate. Circulation desk number - 301-763-2529 and Reference desk number 301-763-2511. Tickets: This event is free, but limited space is available. Please note: Two tour days are available. On behalf of the rest of our staff, I would like to take the opportunity to invite any of our colleagues who will be in Washington for the conference to attend one of the open houses. We're rather pleased with out new digs. Dan Clinton Technical Services Librarian U S Census Bureau Library Suitland, MD

WASHOE COUNTY BUDGET SHORTFALL PRESS RELEASE Media Contact: Kimberly Evans For Immediate Release tel. (775) 328-2730 Website: www.washoecounty.us 07-054 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS CONCUR WITH RECOMMENDATIONS TO SLOW SPENDING TO MEET PROJECTED REVENUE SHORTFALLS Reno, Nevada. February 13, 2007. The Washoe County Board of Commissioner voted to accept the recommendations proposed by staff to slow spending to meet a projected $12 million revenue shortfall in the 2006-07 budget. The projected budget shortfall is primarily due to two significant events: 1) consolidated tax revenues (principally sales taxes) are slowing down and as of December 31, 2006 were 9.1% below budget, and 2) a recent State Supreme Court decision regarding Incline property taxes could potentially reduce property tax revenues by $4.6 million. Washoe County Director of Finance John Sherman said, "The goal in making the following recommendations is to minimize the impact these two events will have upon our current budget by implementing some spending constraints now. We hope that slowing expenditures gradually now will reduce the likelihood of dramatic expenditure reductions next fiscal year." Some of the spending constraints that have been used in the past that the Board approved today include: 1) Reduce capital outlay spending. Achieve an overall 25% reduction in this area and ask that departments defer all non-emergency capital outlay. Deferring some budgeted capital projects that have not yet started construction will yield approximately $2.7 million in savings. Emergency items will still be considered for possible funding. 2) Reduce services and supplies expenditures by 5%. In past years, actual expenditures have always been below budgeted expenditures by nearly 6% which has provided a cushion if revenues fall short of budget. However, with 7 months into the 2006-07 fiscal year, actual expenditures are tracking 100% of budgeted expenditures leaving little cushion for declining revenues. 3) Add 30 days to hiring process. By adding on an additional 30 days to the hiring process of vacant positions, savings will approach $1 million. Departments will work with Human Resources to determine their individual impact. By adding 30 days to the recruitment process already in place, officials hope to avoid a hiring freeze next year. 4) Reduce overtime and temporary worker expenses. As of December 31, 2006, about 60% of the 2006-07 overtime budget had already been spent ($1.8 million compared to $3 million budgeted). Departments work with Human Resources to ensure that if current vacancies are extended by 30 days and the vacancies are not compensated for with overtime or hiring of temporary workers as this would defeat the effort to realize salary savings. .

2006 Elections and the Internet The Pew Internet & American Life Project has once again released a thorough report: this time on a study of the Net's role in the 2006 elections. Here's the summary: Twice as many Americans used the internet as their primary source of news about the 2006 campaign compared with the most recent mid-term election in 2002. Some 15% of all American adults say the internet was the place where they got most of their campaign news during the election, up from 7% in the mid-term election of 2002. A post-election survey shows that the 2006 race also produced a notable class of online political activists. Some 23% of those who used the internet for political purposes actually created or forwarded online original political commentary or politically-related videos. The full report adds a lot of context to this, of course. For example, 31% of Americans gathered info about the races online and talked about the elections via email. And for those under 36 who have broadband, 35% said the Internet was their main source of information about the races. And Republicans and Democrats were equally likely to rely on the Net for campaign news Thank you to James Jacobs of Free Government Information(FGI)

USA.GOV Firstgov has changed its name to USA.gov

News from the TSA TSA TO CUT NUMBER OF NAMES ON 'NO-FLY' LIST By Chris Strohm, National Journal's Technology Daily January 17, 2007 The chief of the Transportation Security Administration told senators Wednesday that his agency will cut in half the number of names on the government's "no-fly" list but cautioned lawmakers against requiring the inspection of all cargo being put on aircraft. A TSA spokesman said the number of people who will be left on the list is classified. The spokesman added that it would be wrong to assume that half the names on the list were wrongly placed there. "TSA has worked with the Terrorist Screening Center to ensure that all the individuals on the list currently pose a threat to aviation," he said. More The Department of Homeland Security also will begin a Traveler Redress Inquiry Program under the TSA on Feb. 20, creating a one-stop process for requesting corrections for people who have been subjected to additional screening or been denied or delayed boarding or travel to or from the United States, he said.

Whats new from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services USCIS Issues Questions and Answers for New Pilot Naturalization Exam (30KB PDF)November 30, 2006 - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Emilio Gonzalez said, "When you raise your hand and swear allegiance to the United States, you really ought to know what you are swearing allegiance to. You ought to internalize by that time, the very values that make this country what it is, the very reason why you are raising your right hand. ... Citizenship is not test taking." Facts About USCIS Naturalization Test Redesign (51KB PDF)USCIS is revising the naturalization test to create a test and testing process that is standardized, fair and meaningful. A revised test, with an emphasis on the fundamental concepts of American democracy and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, will help to encourage citizenship applicants to learn and identify with the basic values we all share as Americans. Questions and Answers for New Pilot Naturalization ExamRead the 144 questions and answers.

Wishing for Peace and Good Will for All

Wishing for Peace and Good Will for All

2010 Census Website The Census Bureau has launched a 2010 Census website where you can access information about the upcoming 2010 Census. The URL address is: http://www.census.gov/2010census/

The Iraq Study Group Report

FCC LAUNCHES “RURAL HEALTH CARE PILOT PROGRAM” WEBSITE Washington, DC -- The FCC has launched a website (http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/rural/rhcp.html) that provides a consolidated source of information about the FCC’s recently announced Rural Health Care Pilot Program. The website includes the Order adopting the pilot program and the accompanying news release, a PDF slide presentation giving an overview of the program, and frequently asked questions (FAQs), The website will be updated periodically, as appropriate. The FCC’s pilot program is an innovative, enhanced funding initiative intended to help public and non-profit health care providers construct state- and region-wide broadband networks to provide telehealth and telemedicine services throughout the nation. The program will fund up to 85% of the costs of constructing those networks, as well as the costs of advanced telecommunications and information services that will ride over these networks. If selected, up to 85% of the cost of connecting to Internet2, a dedicated nationwide backbone, may also be funded by the pilot program. Connection to Internet 2 is not required, but may be requested by the applicants. Applications for the program must be filed no later than 30 days after the Commission receives approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) of the information collection requirements contained in the FCC’s Order announcing the pilot program. (The Paperwork Reduction Act collection requirements were published in the Federal Register on October 18, 2006.) The FCC will issue a Public Notice announcing OMB approval once that has occurred. - FCC - Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau Contact: Robert Somers at (202) 418-1483. Wireline Competition Bureau Contact: Erika Olsen at (202) 418-2868.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING !!!

Nevada Population Estimates and Projections From The State Data Center : Estimates to July 1, 2005 Projections through 2030 Mona Reno, Nevada State Data Librarian, has developed a great site and I will post more links in the near future.

From Free Government Information (FGI) blogs : American Indian Heritage Month November is American Indian Heritage Month. Following are some federal sites that offer excellent information about American Indians: Federal Resources for Educational Excellence, American Indian Heritage Month Resources The National Museum of the American Indian Smithsonian Education, American Indian Heritage Teaching Resources FirstGov, Native American and Tribal Cultural Resources And, if you’d like to include some Native American foods in your Thanksgiving celebration, the Native American Nutrition Education Database from the National Agricultural Library includes some sources with recipes. Mitsitam! (Which, to the Delaware and Piscataway people, means "Let’s eat!") Thanks to Lori Smith, FGI's guest blooger for this entry !!!

NEW ELECTION INFORMATION TO BE AVAILABLE ON WASHOE COUNTY WEBSITE AT CLOSE OF ELECTION DAY Reno, Nevada. November 6, 2006. Voters will be able to track more election result information than ever before on Washoe County’s website, http://www.washoecounty.us/voters/ By simply going to this link, or just logging onto the county’s main page at http://www.washoecounty.us/ and clicking on the link there, citizens can access up-to-date election result information as it is posted by election officials. Examples of data available on this site include: · number of the 1358 cartridges that have been recorded to date (new) · latest election numbers (results) by race (this was available in 2004) · Real-time election results mapping (new) · Link to statewide election information (new) · Link to Clark County election information (new) The real-time election results mapping is a new feature offered on the County’s website this election. Thanks to work done by the County’s Geographic Information System staff, this website will show voting results for 21 selected races and four state ballot questions (questions 2, 5, 6, and 7) as well as the County advisory question. The website displays results by precinct in a map format as voting counts are uploaded throughout the night. The site will be available at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday. Voters are once again reminded to bring their sample ballots to their polling places to expedite voting tomorrow, although registered voters will be allowed to vote without their sample ballot in hand. Voters can go to the county’s website at http://www.washoecounty.us/voters/go to the YOUR Voter Registration Info link, enter their name and birthday (ex. 10-16-1961) to find out if they are properly registered and where they go to vote. Or, they can call the Registrar’s office at 328-3670.

GAO PROBES EPA LIBRARY SHUTDOWN From : Patrice McDermott, Director, Open the Government.org The Government Accountability Office is now investigating why EPA is closing its libraries, after Congress members, EPA employees, open government groups, and the Society of Environmental Journalists raised concerns. EPA Deputy Administrator Marcus Peacock is now publicly promising that EPA library material will be available digitally in the very near future - even as branch after branch of the EPA library system is being closed. "I have asked anyone to inform me, anonymously or otherwise, of any instance where they are unable to obtain a document they need that was previously available. And I am not aware of a single instance where that is happened, but I am all ears." Peacock can be reached at 202-564-4711 or by email. Still, Greenwire's Darren Samuelsohn reports that "The Bush administration has already shuttered EPA's Washington headquarters' library and regional posts in Chicago, Dallas and Kansas City. And there are reduced hours and public access in EPA's regional libraries in Boston, New York, San Francisco and Seattle." How the public or EPA employees are to access the documents Peacock promises them remains an unresolved question. Those who want documents from EPA's library will want to know that the digital system is already online and working - to the degree that some documents have already been digitized. A user can point his/her Web browser here to search for relevant documents, some of which will be available online. The Catch-22 is that paper copies of undigitized documents must in many cases be obtained through the EPA library holding them - which will in many cases now be closed. How long will digitization take? Peacock claims that all paper documents from now-closed branches will be digitized by January 2007 or sooner. Complete digitization of all documents in the system could take 2-3 years, Peacock says. He says he expects no restriction of public access during the interim.

ENHANCEMENTS TO WASHOE COUNTY WEBSITE MAKE VOTING EASIER SUNDAY VOTING ALSO ENCOURAGES TURNOUT Taking advantage of technology, Washoe County is making voting even easier by posting information on the county’s website that voters can access 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For the first time, voters are able to go to WASHOE COUNTY REGISTRAR OF VOTERS OFFICE and view a copy of their sample ballot, track their absentee ballot request, and view candidate profiles as well as other information that was previously available. Simply click on the "YOUR Voter Registration status, sample ballot, polling place and absentee information" from the left side of the Voters’ page and enter your last name and birthday (ex. 05-16-1961). Your unique voter information including party affiliation, polling place location and even directions (when available) will appear. You can view a copy of the sample ballot and by clicking on the links PDF 1 and PDF 2, sample ballot pages unique to your precinct will appear. "By providing this information conveniently from the comfort of citizens’ home or office computers, we hope to encourage voter turnout as well as helping the voters become more informed before they go to the polls," said Registrar of Voters Dan Burk. According to Burk, 8,600 people have cast their ballots since early voting began on Saturday, October 21st. He estimates that 25,000 to 30,000 voters will choose to vote early before early voting ends on November 2nd. This compares with 34,000 early voters in the 2004 Presidential Election year which traditionally draws more voters. Burk attributes the impressive turnout so far to early voting availability on Sundays at six selected Scolaris grocery stores…a first for Washoe County. He anticipates voters will take advantage of the three-day holiday, including Sunday, to cast their early ballots. Early voting locations and times are also available at WASHOE COUNTY REGISTRAR OF VOTERS OFFICE. "In addition to viewing their voter information online, the most important thing voters can do is bring their sample ballots with them," Burk adds. "Scanning the bar code on the back of the ballot speeds up the processing time." Burk reports that to date, not a single early voting location has reported a delay of longer than 5 minutes for those who have opted to vote early.

Real Property Assessment Data

The Washoe County Assessors Office has a user friendly site to search property records at
http://www.washoecounty.us/assessor/cama/search.php

Give it a try.