2011 Biennial Survey Discussion

[Melissa Fairfield]

Two questions about question 29 (user barriers).

"Difficult physical access to the depository collection.... stacks ... too high to reach". Almost all library stacks are too high for patrons in wheelchairs to reach the top shelves. We have a policy of staff retrieving items for patrons who cannot reach the top shelves, do we still have to check off this box?

"Age restrictions to depository collections...". My academic library requires that minors be accompanied by someone over 18 when in the building. No restrictions as to what minors can use, just that they should be in the building with an adult (some exceptions, e.g. any registered students who are under 18). Does that qualify as an age restriction?

The responses listed in question 29 are only barriers if they prevent patrons from accessing depository materials. If your library has policies in place to ensure that all patrons (including unaccompanied minors) can access depository materials in spite of them, they are not considered to be barriers.

Please note that these policies need only apply to the use of depository information. They need not apply to other library collections.

If you have further questions, please feel free to post them here or contact us directly at 202-512-1119

[Melissa Fairfield]

About Question #15:

Describe the access to depository tangible electronics (ie CDs and DVDs) Select all that apply.

One option that is not available on the list is "Mediated access through library computers (ie staff computers)". How should we answer if this is our main option? We do circulate as well, but will also help patrons if needed. We just don't do it on our public access computers because of the security/network access concerns.

Thanks!
Arlene Weible
Oregon State Library

If I understand your question correctly, you should choose the third option- Access through a local library network or web site- as you are allowing patrons access via staff computers, which are part of your library network.

If I have misunderstood, please contact me at 202-512-1119 and we can discuss your particular situation.

Hope this helps!

[JohnStevenson]

The setting of holdings in OCLC is related to loading records in library catalogs and has broad implications for providing services, including discovery of online resources and ILL. How should this be recorded in Question 20?

[Melissa Fairfield]

The setting of holdings in OCLC is related to loading records in library catalogs and has broad implications for providing services, including discovery of online resources and ILL. How should this be recorded in Question 20?

Good question, John.

Please select "other" include this and any other relevant information in the avaialble fill-in box.

[JohnStevenson]

In Question 20. How does your library manage online depository publications. Select all that apply. one option is "Develops guides or pathfinders about online only publications." This wording seems designed to exclude guides which include tangible publications.

Many libraries using LibGuides (or other web-based subject pages) integrate online only and tangible publications into the same guide. Should libraries including online only publications in their integrated approach to a subject check this box?

[JohnStevenson]

In Question 21. Does your library perform the following related to your integrated library system? two of the responses are open to interpretation.

Is the second response, Import GPO's catalog records into your integrated library system from a source other than Z39.50 intended as the response for libraries loading GPO records received from a vendor?

More significantly, is the fourth response, Connect to the Internet through a proxy server, intended to sample the community regarding the widespread use of institutional integrated library systems connecting to licensed content? Password protection for certain FDLP content can be a public services nightmare. IP registration works pretty well, but validation through a proxy server offers greater flexibility and would be a great model for the FDLP to adopt, when possible.

[JohnStevenson]

Question 25. How are library staff (depository and non-depository personnel) regularly made aware of FDLP information, including public access requirements and new Federal Government information products, services, and resources, in order to ensure that depository information resources are used within the library? Select all that apply. includes some responses that are not self-evident.

Is Help guides, manuals intended to describe staff training materials or accessible public guides, such as LibGuides or research guides?

Also, are the library's ILS and WorldCat Local considered Intranet, Web pages or Other for this question? In an integrated library system, records for new GPO titles may rise to the top of search results, making both library personnel and users aware of them.

[JohnStevenson]

In Question 26. Which training formats does your library expect to utilize in the next two years for staff training? it is not clear whether the responses are intended to be hosted/conducted by the library, or whether the library would like to participate in ones hosted by another institution. How should the question be interpreted?

[c-malone]

Q 21, 4th item, "Connect to the Internet through a proxy server" What is the survey trying to find out from this question?

Our library does use a proxy server to allow remote access to our commercial databases for users who are not on campus. But that really doesn't relate to our integrated library system, as the OPAC part of our integrated library system is openly available to anyone with computer access.

And the electronic government documents cataloged and contained in our integrated library system's OPAC module, are also openly available by clicking on the PURL. So I'm not clear where a proxy server would fit in to an integrated library system and its cataloged government publications?

[kbayer]

Re Q 21, 4th item, "Connect to the Internet through a proxy server" What is the survey trying to find out from this question?

Hello Chuck,

Thanks so much for the question.

GPO is interested in learning how many institutions connect to the Internet through a proxy server in order assist these institutions, where needed, with PURL referral statistics.

For more information about the PURL referral reporting tool, please see http://www.fdlp.gov/collections/buildin ... ?showall=1 You may use this data to determine the amount and type of traffic that is being referred from your institution to the GPO PURL system.

Please also see "GPO Modifies PURL Referrals Reporting" at http://www.fdlp.gov/component/content/a ... -reporting.

Please let us know if you have any additional questions.