Government Information at PSU: An Active & Productive Year

It’s been a good and exciting year for Government Information in the Portland State University Library. Contributing to the creation of the shared regional system for housing and collecting government documents, responding to a significant number of in-depth reference questions, following up on a weeding project, and upgrading the Map Collection have dominated activities and initiatives.

Working and collaborating with Arlene Weible at the Oregon State Library, Ted Smith at the University of Oregon, and Valery King at Oregon State University on a variety of issues and activities, including collections, housing, and other topics, has provided opportunities to rework the regional system in the state. At PSU, collaborative decisions on collections, housing, and other topics have also been positive and productive.

We respond to an average of 45 in-depth reference questions on a monthly basis. Most questions (95+%) come from the University’s students and scholars. Some come from the citizens of the local community and a few have come from other areas in the United States. In addition to responding to reference questions from faculty, I also collaborate with some scholars on government information-related assignments for their students.

A research guide for Government Information has been compiled and is accessible on the Library’s website (http://www.pdx.edu/library/researchguides.html -- Go to Government Information). A guide for Legal Resources has also been compiled. A revised guide for Maps is being prepared. The Government Information guide, in particular, is used extensively.

Other key activities:

• We’ve progressed significantly on a superseded documents weeding project.
• We’ve been systematically updating the maps and atlases in the Map Collection.
• Approximately 900 electronic documents have been added via the Oregon State Library’s OrNET. More electronic titles are added monthly.

Staff focusing on Government Information include the Coordinator of Government Information as well as Jean Knutson and Bertrand Robinson. Jean coordinates the processing of all federal documents and has contributed significantly to DIGOR-related activities. She also coordinates a project focusing on weeding superseded documents. Bertrand oversees Oregon documents, catalogs selected state documents, maintains the Map Collection, and contributes to the research guide for Maps. Jean and Bertrand also contribute to the resolution of reference questions on occasion. Their contributions to Government Information, including assistance on processing, projects, questions, and other activities are important and appreciated. Assistance from Jian Wang and other colleagues in Technical Services is also essential and appreciated.

Donald G. Frank
Coordinator of Government Information