State Publications Access Program
- About the Program
- History of the Program
- Summary of the Program
- Comparison of Missouri Publications Laws
About the Program
Through the Reference Services Division of the Missouri State Library, the Office of Secretary of State will create a secure, trusted repository for providing access to digital versions of state publications. The new program will allow organized and persistent access to state publications available any time and any place with Internet connectivity.
Access to these publications will be available via the Internet through the State Library's online library catalog, the statewide online library catalog MOBIUS, and the national online catalog OCLC. There will also soon be direct access from the Secretary of State web site enabling citizens to use general search engines to find information more quickly.
In contrast to the previous depository program of 41 depository libraries, we will invite and designate participating libraries where Missouri citizens will find staff with expertise in the retrieval and use of state publications.
There are many benefits of the revision:
- improved access
- fewer copies of print publications required
- reduced printing costs
- reduced staff time and shipping costs related to distribution
- reduced storage and processing costs for participating libraries.
The result will be savings in state revenue dollars and greatly improved service.
The Reference Services team has been working behind the scenes to develop the program. We are collecting important state publications currently on the Internet and adding them to our repository. Links from our library catalog will take users to the archived electronic copy and reference the original URL at the agency's web site.
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History
Missouri state government publications are produced, financed, and distributed by state agencies. These current and valuable publications contain a wealth of information about Missouri and the workings of state government. They range from the annual state budget to monthly periodicals, such as the Missouri Conservationist.
Prior to 1977, Missourians had to request state publications through a local public library or directly from state agencies. To facilitate access to state information, a document depository program, run by the Missouri State Library, was created by statute. The program provided for collections of state publications available to Missourians in 41 depository libraries throughout the state.
As adoption of technology increased, it was soon apparent that some state publications were being distributed only through the Internet. Further, older publications were removed from websites when newer ones were issued.
Evolving technology, government practice, and the necessity to ensure continued access to state publications made it obvious that a new approach was necessary. The State Publications Access team at the Missouri State Library rewrote the statutes that had formerly established the depository program.
Through House Bill 1347, signed by Governor Holden on June 25, 2004, electronic versions of state publications will be sent to the Office of Secretary State. The legislation is effective August 28, 2004.
We look forward to the growth of the new program as the next logical step in a service that has provided information to citizens for almost 30 years.
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Summary of the Program
All Missouri State publications will be carefully evaluated for inclusion into the redesigned/revised publications program and digital archive.
The new program will focus on the collection of and access to the electronic versions of publications.
We have developed a preliminary list of publication types to be included.
Terms and program requirements will ultimately be defined in the Code of State Regulations.
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Comparison of Missouri Publications Laws
| Previous RSMo 181.100 – 181.130 1955 — 1993 |
New RSMo 181.100 – 181.130 2004 |
|---|---|
| RSMO 181.100 | RSMO 181.100 |
Brief definition of state publications regardless of format. Discusses reports agencies are required by statute to create and distribute. Specific distribution to the governor, legislative library, each chamber of the legislature and the supreme court. Includes 45 copies for the library document depository program | Specific definitions of all terms used in statute including agency, electronic repository, format, participating libraries, publications, State Publications Access Program. Includes same language, except the number of copies for distribution to libraries will be set by the State Library. |
| 181.110 | 181.110 |
State library to publish monthly indexed list of state publications The state library will distribute copies to certain libraries designated by it to act as depositories to make publications available to the public No publication shall be distributed to a library without a request. | This section sets forth the responsibilities of the four partners in the access program: state agencies, secretary of state, state library and the participating libraries. State Agencies
Secretary of State
State Library
Participating Libraries
|
| 181.120 | 181.120(rescinded) |
Of the 45 copies of publications required by statute, two will be distributed to the state archives, 2 to the state historical society. | Of the 5 copies to be required by administrative rule, 2 will be distributed to the state archives, 2 to the state historical society and 1 to the Library of Congress. This too will be written in an administrative rule. |
| 181.130 | 181.130 |
State Library may enter into depository agreements with public and academic libraries which meet standards for eligibility | State library may enter into agreement with participating libraries based on eligibility standards created by the state library and published in administrative rules. |
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