Free Government Information

Because government information needs to be free.

The mission statement of this blog/website reads

Free Government Information (FGI) is a place for initiating dialogue and building consensus among the various players (libraries, government agencies, non-profit organizations, researchers, journalists, etc.) who have a stake in the preservation of and perpetual free access to government information. FGI promotes free government information through collaboration, education, advocacy and research.

As a government information librarian, I can't express strongly enough my feelings about free public access to government publications, documents, and other information. That is what this site is all about.

With the continuing shift to a more electronic depository program, the role of government information librarians can't help but change. In fact, change is a good thing in this case. All information professionals need to take this time to re-evaluate their strategies for information dissemination. Gone are the days when we could just sit back and wait for patrons to come to the reference desk for their carefully meted dose of information. We need to be out in the trenches teaching, training, and opening up new worlds to our patrons. Not holding down a chair behind the reference desk.

Unfortunately, most University and other administrations are behind the times philosophically. Library staffing and funding is often based on the "body count" paradigm thus allowing administrators to believe that because no one is coming to the library that library services are no longer necessary. Nothing could be farther from the truth. As more patrons use library services from remote locations, the profession needs to hone its teaching and presentation skills in order to find better ways to serve all people - not just those who darken our doors.

It is my hope that our profession will find a way to communicate these needs to our administrators in such a way as to affect change. And soon before we really do become the relics of the Information Age.