San Francisco Earthquake Anniversary Today is the anniversary of the Great San Francisco earthquake and resulting fire. Learn what happened with archival photos, movies and eyewitness stories aggregated in this web site. http://www.awesomestories.com/disasters/san_francisco/san_francisco_ch1.htm Examine the U.S. Geological Survey maps of the quake itself - the shaking was recorded halfway around the world at the Gottingen observatory in Germany - plus USGS maps of current California and Nevada quakes, updated hourly. Group access to the site is free for all schools, libraries and educators. Obtain group access with this form. It is also free for library patrons, individual students, their parents and members of the general public. Select an individual password with this form. The site's privacy policy is strictly enforced.

Environmental Impact Statements Environmental Impact Statements can be found full-text on the EPA's National Service Center for Environmental Publications (NSCEP) Go to their advanced search and type "final environmental impact statement"--be sure to select exact phrase and uncheck hardcopy publications. You might need to check additional dates as well.

Armed Forces Medical Library Closing ? A letter from Patrick R. Walz Hello! I am a Tech Info Specialist at the Army Surgeon General's Armed Forces Medical Library. We are currently in a battle to save our Library which has been an esteemed part of the US Military Medical Corps since 1836. We perform research for the Surgeons General of all the Military Branches, as well as soldiers overseas in Germany, Great Britain, Iraq and Afghanistan. Recently, the Military has been forced to make some budget cuts, and as is usually the case, the "easy target" library has come under the microscope. We were suddenly and inexplicably placed under a highly aggressive "work-group" comprised of Lean Six-Sigma-ready business ninjas. They want to close/move/consolidate or minimize our already scant resources. As is always the case, our customers know the value of the Library. We've already received official letters, memos, testimonials etc... from a wide-range of military historians, commanders, executive officers and researchers, but it seems to be not enough. FY 06 marked the closings of nation-wide EPA Libraries and the Air Force has decided to close all of its Medical Libraries. We're getting a little freaked out. We must prove to the current bureaucracy that after 171 years, we are still an asset to the organization. We have a plan of attack, we're wearing out a copy of MAKING THE CASE FOR YOUR LIBRARY. What we lack is information. That's all this workgroup wants. Graphs, charts, spreadsheets and death by PowerPoint. If we could argue the entire case using ones and zeros we'd be in good shape. We are hoping that you may have researched, or know someone who has researched the impact of closing a library. We'd like to know the cost differences between reciprocal document delivery and independent research contractors. Physical Librarian vs.. 100% automated databases. The bosses are looking for short-term cost avoidance, and if they can save FY07 funds by canning the Library they won't hesitate. We wouldn't ask you for this if we had time to compile the data, but we don't have time. They want everything immediately. It's like an information ambush: defend your library with some annual usage stats that mean nothing to the workgroup and a wet noodle. Good luck! If you have any research or know anyone that's recently fought the good fight, the help would be greatly appreciated. I was the Director of Medical Library in Germany prior to my coming here. I lost that fight and the library there is no more. Many thanks! Patrick R. Walz Technical Information Specialist Armed Forces Medical Library 5109 Leesburg Pike, Room 670 Falls Church, VA 22041 E-mail: Patrick.Walz@tma.osd.mil Phone: 703-681-8028; FAX: 703-681-8034 Armed Forces Medical Library

New GAO Report on FOIA The GAO released a report today on FOIA entitled "Processing Trends Show Importance of Improvement Plans." [PDF] From the "Highlights" page: The improvement plans submitted by the 25 agencies mostly included goals and timetables addressing the four areas of improvement emphasized by the Executive Order: eliminating or reducing any backlog of FOIA requests; increasing reliance on dissemination of records that can be made available to the public without the need for a FOIA request, such as through posting on Web sites; improving communications with requesters about the status of their requests; and increasing public awareness of FOIA processing. Most of the plans (20 of 25) provided goals and timetables in all four areas; some agencies omitted goals in areas where they considered they were already strong. Although details of a few plans could be improved, all the plans focus on making measurable improvements and form a reasonable basis for carrying out the goals of the Executive Order.

A report from the Congressional Research Service RL33889 *U.S. Attorneys Who Have Served Less than Full Four-year Terms, 1981-2006* February 22, 2007 The report can be accessed here: http://www.opencrs.com/document/RL33889/

Online access to federal records lags,study says Few agencies comply with electronic FOIA, research institute says The Associated Press Monday, March 12, 2007 Federal agencies have dragged their feet on implementing a 10-year-old law that requires them to use the Internet to make government documents easily available, a new study says. The result is that the public is blocked from easier access to information, the report says, and the cost of answering information requests is driven up. The study by the National Security Archive, for official release today, found widespread failure among federal agencies to follow the Electronic Freedom of Information Act amendments that took effect in 1997. The changes constituted some of the most significant modernizations of the original 40-year-old law that first guaranteed citizens the right to government information. "Federal agencies are flunking the online test and keeping us in the dark," said Thomas Blanton, director of the independent, nongovernmental Washington-based research institute. The study was funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, which focuses on journalism. The archive's review of all 91 federal agencies with chief FOIA officers, along with 58 components of agencies (such as the Air Force within the Department of Defense) that handle more than 500 documents a year, found: Just 22 percent of federal agencies and components fully followed the law and posted on the Web all the required categories of documents (agency opinions and orders; frequently requested records; policy statements; staff guidance). Just over one-third of agencies and components provided an index of their records, as required, to help locate documents. Only a quarter of agencies provided online forms for submitting FOIA requests. Many of the record-related Web links that do exist are wrong or missing, Blanton said. A few agencies bucked the trend and showed the benefits of using the Internet, particularly the Education Department and NASA, the study found. NASA is an example of effective use of the Web, Blanton said. The agency posts comprehensive guidance on FOIA for visitors, links all its component FOIA Web sites, and also has posted many documents on the Columbia space shuttle disaster, a tragedy that had drawn many inquiries for information. "They don't get FOIA requests on Columbia anymore, because it's up on the Web," Blanton said. If an agency would follow the law, "it dramatically lowers the cost for government, not just for FOIA but for all the handling of records." The costs of handling FOIA - estimated at $319 million in 2005 - could be sharply curtailed if agencies relied more on the Web, since frequently requested documents would already be public and electronic records could more easily be shared, Blanton said. Backlogs could be reduced, too. Congress shares some of the blame for the failure of the law because it did not create enforcement provisions, he said. The result is that the public is blocked from easier access to information, the report says, and the cost of answering information requests is driven up. The study by the National Security Archive, for official release today, found widespread failure among federal agencies to follow the Electronic Freedom of Information Act amendments that took effect in 1997. The changes constituted some of the most significant modernizations of the original 40-year-old law that first guaranteed citizens the right to government information. "Federal agencies are flunking the online test and keeping us in the dark," said Thomas Blanton, director of the independent, nongovernmental Washington-based research institute. The study was funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, which focuses on journalism. The archive's review of all 91 federal agencies with chief FOIA officers, along with 58 components of agencies (such as the Air Force within the Department of Defense) that handle more than 500 documents a year, found: Just 22 percent of federal agencies and components fully followed the law and posted on the Web all the required categories of documents (agency opinions and orders; frequently requested records; policy statements; staff guidance). Just over one-third of agencies and components provided an index of their records, as required, to help locate documents. Only a quarter of agencies provided online forms for submitting FOIA requests. Many of the record-related Web links that do exist are wrong or missing, Blanton said. A few agencies bucked the trend and showed the benefits of using the Internet, particularly the Education Department and NASA, the study found. NASA is an example of effective use of the Web, Blanton said. The agency posts comprehensive guidance on FOIA for visitors, links all its component FOIA Web sites, and also has posted many documents on the Columbia space shuttle disaster, a tragedy that had drawn many inquiries for information. "They don't get FOIA requests on Columbia anymore, because it's up on the Web," Blanton said. If an agency would follow the law, "it dramatically lowers the cost for government, not just for FOIA but for all the handling of records." The costs of handling FOIA - estimated at $319 million in 2005 - could be sharply curtailed if agencies relied more on the Web, since frequently requested documents would already be public and electronic records could more easily be shared, Blanton said. Backlogs could be reduced, too. Congress shares some of the blame for the failure of the law because it did not create enforcement provisions, he said. The full NSA report is at http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB216/index.htm

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of the DOT reading room is being downsized and threatened with closure. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of the Department of Transportation reading room located at 400 7th St. SW in Washington, D.C. is being downsized and threatened with closure. Regular researchers report that documents that they have used for years are suddenly not there. They have been told that older material is being sent to NARA storage center in Suitland even though that information is not available on the NHTSA web site. Access at Suitland is difficult for the public. The reading room includes the following kinds of information in its collection: 1) Technical Information Services (TIS) information, 2) dockets and NHTSA comments to dockets, 3) research note books that help users find Federal Register notices and identify dockets relevant to their research, 4) papers from the Society of Automotive Engineers, 5) service bulletins for vehicles, 6) NHTSA news releases, 7) motor vehicle recalls, defects investigations, 8) NHTSA sponsored research, 9) presentations to 1988-89 series of meetings on roll over prevention and much more. Please let the Department of Transportation know about the value of this reading room.

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.