Public Access Assessments
from the Fall, 2007, FDLC
The Council recommended that they “review assessment expectations to ensure compliance with statutory requirements, but expand to include new components required to measure performance.” The Public Access Assessments is the current program for investigation of Federal Depository Library conditions. It emphasizes reviewing how depository libraries provide access and services to government documents.
The assessment will focus on outcomes (that is, access to government information) over tangible collections. The assessment will look at various markers of access and services including posted policies on the website, indication of depository participation on the website as well as the parent website, the amount of documents that are catalogued, access provided through the web, annual celebrations, access policies clearly posted, signage, “intimidating” signs, restricted areas, ADA compliance, software on computers for accessing government information (Excel, SPSS, etc.), computer time limits, etc. Librarians asked for clearer guidance on the policies. [RW]
