On June 8 the MU Libraries Government Information Department hosted its 31^st annual Missouri Federal Depository Library Program Conference. The following libraries sent representatives: St. Louis Public Library, Washington University, Saint Louis University, St. Charles City-County Public Library, Missouri University of Science and Technology, MU Law School Library, Rockhurst University, William Jewell College, Truman State University and the Missouri State Library.  Marie Concannon spoke on “Maximizing the Benefit of your Depository Status.” MU Libraries Director of Advancement Matt Gaunt was a special guest presenter, speaking on how to use FDLP collections and services to attract private donations for the library.

The University of Missouri has joined the LOCKSS-USDOCS project of distributed preservation of US government information published by the Government Publishing Office.

The Digital Federal Depository Library Program, or the “USDocs” private LOCKSS network replicates key aspects of the United States Federal Depository System. The content is held in geographically distributed sites and replicated many times. Citizens have oversight and responsibility for the long-term care and maintenance of the content. All these characteristics mean the content will be preserved so that any alteration of the content (either deliberate or accidental) will be detected and repaired. For all documents, preservation in a tamper-evident environment is important, but for government documents, this is essential.

Our current focus is harvesting and preserving all collections hosted on GPO's Federal Digital System (FDsys).

For more information on the project, see the LOCKSS-USDOCS page:

http://lockss-usdocs.stanford.edu

Marie Concannon traveled to St. Louis on Wednesday, March 16 to speak at St. Louis University Pius XII Memorial Library’s 150^th FDLP anniversary event.  It was a lovely celebration that brought out supporters both old and new, including John Waide, SLU’s documents librarian from the early 1980s, and Katrina Stierholz (now at the St. Louis Federal Reserve Library, but formerly the documents coordinator at SLU.)   Rebecca Hyde, SLU’s current depository coordinator, delivered a speech including these words from James Madison:

“Knowledge will forever govern ignorance, and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives” (1822.) 

Marie’s presentation included a passage from the Congressional Record dated almost 150 years ago to the day.  She then had the honor of presenting GPO’s sesquicentennial plaque to Dave Cassens, Dean of SLU Libraries.

A reception followed.  SLU Library’s energetic social media mascot “Lil’ Pius” was excited about the party and sent out a tweet to students.  There were also buttons and stickers depicting Lil’ Pius and GPO’s Ben holding hands, “best friends forever.” Guests viewed historical document displays and a slide show that Rebecca and others at SLU put together for the event. 

The event was a wonderful way to celebrate 150 years of service.  St. Louis University’s Library has our congratulations for doing a stellar job making government information available at St. Louis University and to the people of St. Louis.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 150 anniversary celebration of MU Libraries participation in the Federal Depository Library Program was a big success.

Here’s the text of the speech from Blaine Luetkemeyer that was entered into the Congressional Record on Monday.

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CREC-2012-05-07/pdf/CREC-2012-05-07-pt1-PgE715-2.pdf

Please visit GPO’s facebook page to see some photos.

https://www.facebook.com/USGPO

Listen to Radio Friends with Paul Pepper on KBIA (91.3) at 8:50 am on May 2. Paul will be talking with Marie Concannon about the MU Libraries’ 150 years of participation in the Federal Depository Library Program. If you miss the show, you can listen to (and view) the segment at http://www.kbia.org/programs/radio-friends-paul-pepper.

Marie will continue her discussion with Paul on the June 28th issue of Radio Friends.

The renovation of the the Government Documents area of Ellis Library is 97% complete. The remaining components of renovation, which will begin next week,  include installing baseboards, removing unused shelving and adding  furniture for a patron study area.

On March 4, 2012, the Acting Public Printer Davita Vance-Cooks appointed University of Missouri libraries government documents coordinator Marie Concannon, along with four others, to the Depository Library Council (DLC). The Council, composed of 15 members each of whom serve three year terms, advises the Public Printer on policy matters relating to the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP). The FDLP provides access across America to the published information of all three Branches of the United States Government through partnerships with more than 1,200 libraries ranging from public libraries to research universities.

Concannon is a strong advocate for promoting the FDLP and for preserving historic documents, both digital and tangible. She is active in several national and local library organizations, including the American Library Association and Government Documents Roundtable. In addition, she has contributed to the work of the Legislative Committee of the Missouri Library Association. Concannon’s term will run from June of this year to May 31, 2015.

“We are proud of Marie and her well-deserved appointment,” stated Jim Cogswell, the director of MU Libraries. “Those of us who work with Marie are aware not only of her leadership and expertise in the area of Government Documents, but also of her passion and enthusiasm for serving the public and guaranteeing access to government information.”

In addition to the appointment of Concannon to the DLC, the MU Libraries have been chosen by the U.S. Government Printing Office to be highlighted this month on the Depository Library Spotlight website (www.fdlp.gov/outreach/spotlight), which highlights a different Federal depository library each month.

Designated in 1862, the MU Libraries are celebrating 150 years of participation in the FDLP this year. To learn more about the MU Libraries government documents collection, visit libraryguides.missouri.edu/govdocs.

 

The annual Missouri Government Documents Conference is fast approaching – June 6-7.  MU Libraries staff are welcome to register and attend (with supervisory approval.)  Registration charges are waived for MU Libraries employees and for students.  Description and registration forms are here:

http://mulibraries.missouri.edu/collections/documents/mo/modoc-ann-mtg-2011.htm