Educational Resources Information Center Update

Good afternoon, everyone. I am very pleased to be speaking before the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) sponsored Federal Depository Library Conference. For 8 years as a GPO employee, I was the conference planner. This year for a change I’m one of many speakers.

Public Law 103-227 created the National Library of Education (NLE) in 1994:

• to provide a central location within the Federal Government for information about education;

• to offer comprehensive information services to Department employees, contractors, grantees, other Federal agencies, and the general public; and

• to promote greater cooperation and resource sharing among providers and repositories of education information.

NLE is an umbrella organization with several spokes, including the ED Reference Center (a.k.a. departmental library and a depository library), the Educational Resource Information Center (ERIC), the National Clearinghouse of Educational Facilities (ERIC affiliate), ED Pubs (one-stop publications storage and distribution center), and the U.S. Network for Educational Information.

ERIC was established in 1966 to increase and facilitate the use of educational research and information to improve American education. ERIC has terrific "brand recognition" on its own. We hope that a recent change in ERIC’s logo and Web domain name to <http://www.eric.ed.gov> will alert users to its funding by the U.S. Department of Education (ED).

The ERIC Program Office supports 16 subject-oriented Clearinghouses, 3 support contractors--ACCESS ERIC, ERIC Document Reproduction Service (EDRS), and ERIC Processing and Reference Facility--and ERIC's GPO printing budget, which collectively do the work of ERIC. The ERIC database now contains more than 1 million records (over 438,000 ED document records and over 612,000 EJ journal records). The ERIC database is made available through:

• GPO Access at <http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/locators/api/api-education.html>

  · commercial online vendors and CD-ROM vendors;

  · many locally mounted systems, such as online public access catalogs at universities; and

  • through December 2001 in the print indexes Resources in Education and Current Index to Journals in Education.

  Although ERIC has embraced the latest technological innovations to disseminate information, it also provides a network of experts. ERIC staff receive and answer requests via toll-free phone calls, faxes, mail and e-mail; and in person at Clearinghouses and conferences.

  ERIC on the Internet

  Through the Internet, ERIC provides a global audience easy access to a variety of education resources, including the ERIC database, full-text ERIC Digests (short summaries of popular education topics), virtual libraries, lesson plans, parent publications and reference directories. The gateway to these Web sites is at www.eric.ed.gov.

  Additionally, there are several ERIC special Web projects supported by the U.S. Department of Education:

  • AskERIC: <http://www.askeric.org>, begun in September 1992, is a personalized, Internet-based service providing education information to teachers, librarians, parents, and others interested in education information. AskERIC consists of an Internet/e-mail question-answering service and an Internet Web site portal containing a "virtual library" of education information resources.
  • National Parent Information Network: <http://npin.org>, begun in 1993, is a special project of the ERIC Clearinghouses on Elementary and Early Childhood Education and on Urban Education. NPIN provides a variety of resources, including full-text pamphlets, brochures, ERIC Digests, guides, and other materials; reviews, summaries, and abstracts of books; and links to other online parent-related resources.
  • Education Resource Organizations Directory:

  <http://www.ed.gov/Programs/EROD> enables Internet users to search more than 4,000 national, regional, and state organizations that provide information and assistance on a broad range of education-related topics. Education libraries and curriculum materials centers were added to EROD in 1999.

  ERIC Program Assessment

  An ERIC Program Assessment is being conducted by American Institutes for Research (AIR) over a 2-year period. The Assessment will provide ED with a description of database content and how it has been developed; and recommendations for improving database quality, utility, and cost effectiveness. The program assessment is largely based on the analysis and synthesis of existing information about the ERIC program and at two other federal initiatives that provide access to information resources in broad subject areas--the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agriculture Network Information Center and the National Library of Medicine's PubMed program, including MEDLINE, PreMEDLINE, MEDLINE Plus, and Grateful MED. The assessment also focuses on:

  · current ERIC customer demographics, including information priorities and interests, and objectives for using ERIC; and

  · which ERIC functions customers use.

  The findings from the Assessment will provide information for guiding decision-making about future ERIC program directions.

  Clearinghouses

  The ERIC Clearinghouse on Assessment and Evaluation at the University of Maryland has created cross language access to ERIC. As language translation services became available and competitive on the Web, Larry Rudner, the clearinghouse director, reverse engineered a few cross language sites, created a prototype, and gave a small company a non-exclusive license to the source code of the software he had developed.

  Although the search engine is quite primitive, it does the job. From <http://searcheric.org/Spanish.htm>, the user enters a word or phrase in Spanish. The European Education Thesaurus (EET) is used to translate parts of the Spanish query phrase into English. The EET is all education terms with each term available in 9 languages at <www.eurydice.org/TeeForm/FrameSet_EN.htm>. Behind the scenes, the WorldLingo server is queried to finish the translation into English. The ERIC database is queried in English. As he loops through the hits, Larry runs over to WorldLingo to translate each citation into Spanish. Each citation is then presented in both Spanish and English. For the techies among you, the query is written in TexisScript and EET look up in ASP. This service is available in German as well.

  ERIC Processing and Reference Facility:

  The ERIC Facility is the centralized database manager for the ERIC system. This year, the ERIC Program purchased a new Web-based online data entry and editing system for document processing for speedier creation of ERIC database records. Some of the features of Artesia’s TEAMS document management software include reduction and correction of errors at the creation point and streamlined workflow; reduction in processing time from 60 to 30 days will be a boon. In 2002, the software will permit ERIC to accept audio, video, PowerPoint, "born digital" (HTML, PDF), etc., products. With my FDLP background, I am excited about the plan to beta test uploading newly acquired digital Government documents, as there are generally no copyright issues.

  ERIC Document Reproduction Service (EDRS):

  The ERIC Document Reproduction Service (EDRS) is the document-delivery arm of ERIC. This commercial service handles all subscriptions for ERIC microfiche and on-demand requests for reproduced paper copy or microfiche of ERIC documents.

  EDRS also continues to create and store digital and microfiche archival masters and provides the FDLP with Department-supported publications in microfiche for Federal depository libraries. In fiscal year 2002, EDRS will begin adding electronic document files to E*Subscribe. Additionally, EDRS will provide E*Subscribe to ED employees as soon as we get all the mechanisms in place.

  As yet, the ERIC Program has not been able to include electronic, publicly funded ED documents in the FDLP instead of the microfiche. My dream is to solve the existing contractual difficulties so that depository libraries and the public can gain unlimited use of electronic images of ED-funded Government information products.

  ACCESS ERIC:

  Through its publications, reference services, and Web site at <http://www.eric.ed.gov>, ACCESS ERIC is the central access point to the ERIC system by providing links to all ERIC-sponsored sites as well as full-text copies of parent brochures, ERIC Review, All About ERIC, etc. In 2002, Aspen Systems, the ACCESS ERIC contractor, will coordinate a system-wide effort to develop metadata standards for the ERIC system.

   

  ERIC and FDLP Comparison:

  There are many similarities between the FDLP and the ERIC Program, including providing equitable, efficient, timely, and dependable public access to Government information. GPO produces or procures printed and electronic products for Congress and agencies of the Federal Government including the ERIC Program, e.g., Resources in Education, ERIC Review, etc. The ERIC Clearinghouses produce ERIC Digests and other publications.

  GPO’s acquisition process for the FDLP, because of its broad legislative mandate, is more like a vacuum cleaner approach. ERIC Clearinghouses that acquire and abstract publications and journal articles act more like subject selectors in a library. Neither GPO nor ERIC endorses the subject content.

  GPO assigns SuDocs classification numbers and catalogs information products for the Catalog of U.S. Government Information in paper and on the Internet. The ERIC Facility assigns ED and EJ numbers, creates searchable records, and prepares camera copy for a printed RIE.

  GPO and ERIC also sell printed, microfiche, and electronic Government information to the public. For years, EDRS has provided silver reproducible microfiche of Federally funded documents to GPO for distribution through the FDLP. GPO Access links to the ERIC database and ERIC Digests. The ERIC Program has its database available through the Internet and commercial sources. Another point of commonality is that many ERIC Clearinghouses are on campuses with Federal depository libraries.

  Making Government Information Available

  The ED Reference Center, ERIC, and the FDLP have a similar goal to make Federal Government information available for permanent public access. This information gathering activity can best be described as a solar system. The Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI) is in the center orbit as NLE is within OERI organizationally. The acquisition process for OERI products printed or procured through GPO is very successful. We have discovered, however, some product gaps with regional labs, national centers, and field-initiated study grants that don’t use GPO services.

  The next orbit outward is obtaining all of the information products produced by and for the Department of Education by principal offices, and under contracts and grants. To insure comprehensiveness, NLE and the ERIC Facility were added to the ED Pubs master mailing list. We have been surprised at the number of ED publications that were not cataloged already into the collection.

  In my short tenure at NLE, I have noticed a lack of understanding about Title 44, United States Code, Sections 1901-1903. Section 1901 defines a Government publication as "informational matter which is published as an individual document at Government expense, or as required by law." So NLE must work to inform the program officers for the grants and contracts about providing copies of the final product to both the library and the ERIC Facility. We should be able to do this by inserting standard clauses in grants and contracts.

  The next orbit is obtaining information products about Federal education issues from other Federal agencies, among them the Defense Department, Health and Human Services, etc. This task is even more difficult as it requires finding the right person in myriad offices to add NLE and the ERIC Facility to the mailing lists of ED offices to receive all of their publications. The outer orbits are the library, ERIC, and the FDLP, as Federal Government information products should be available in these entities for MARC cataloging, indexing, and abstracting in the NLE OPAC, GPO’s Catalog of U.S. Government Publications and the ERIC database.

  The ED Reference Center strives to collect copies of all print Department publications for permanent access. We believe that NLE represents the best location within ED for providing permanent public access to ED documents regardless of format. While this role is implied in the authorizing legislation, our challenge is obtaining the support of the Department and OERI, thus giving NLE the authority to work with principal offices in collecting such documents.

  Easy, permanent access to full text Department information on a timely, accurate basis via dependable, low or no cost channels is the intent of ERIC and the ED Reference Center. Recently, NLE purchased SIRSI’s Unicorn Library Management System and Hyperion Digital Media Archive to provide online access to our collections. While the online catalog is available on the ED Intranet, it will be later this year before it is available on the Internet. NLE staff is developing a plan for collecting all ED documents available in electronic format, as publications are increasingly "born digital." Hyperion will enable NLE to store and provide online access to Federal education content in digital format on the Internet beyond our existing service hours of 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Monday–Friday.

  Federal Printing Today

  ERIC’s providing full-text electronic dissemination will affect the rest of NLE’s functions from printing to archiving. Historically, the FDLP philosophy toward Government information products has been "all of it–now–free–and, forever." Congressional directives and budgetary constraints have given GPO and ERIC the challenge of providing the American public access to information available from the Government within the limits of Congressional appropriations. At the same time that ERIC has broadened its scope, audience, functions, and contract requirements, Federal funding has remained constant. Its 16 Clearinghouses and 3 central components operate on a total combined budget of approximately $10 million annually.

  In my new position, I’ve had to think like an agency publisher administering limited printing funds. Recently, I notified both GPO’s Sales and Federal Depository Library Programs that as of January 2002, the ERIC Program will no longer print Resources in Education (RIE) nor supply a paper copy of the Current Index to Journals in Education (CIJE) to the FDLP for conversion to microfiche, as patrons can search the ERIC database for both RIE and CIJE citations.

  Where Are We Heading?

  I like M&M candy–plain better than peanut. Four Ms–mission, marketing, money, and manpower can help organize my thoughts about ERIC and NLE.

  NLE Mission:

  • As mentioned earlier, the enabling legislation creating NLE (P.L. 103-227) specifically charged NLE to be the central location in the Federal Government for information about education. ERIC, the ED Reference Center, and ED Pubs are putting muscle and meat on the bare bones.
  • Resource sharing (ERIC and ED Reference Center)
  • I’ve briefly mentioned making Government information available and our desire to obtain "fugitive documents" but the effort now is "catch as catch can." A cataloger has just started working on a project at the Office of Vocational and Adult Education (OVAE). There are cartons of older OVAE books and reports to search on OCLC and in the ERIC database. He is cataloging materials for the library’s collection and will forward to the ERIC Facility those that don’t appear in the ERIC database. I expect that other caches of materials in principal offices will be found over time.
  • I hope that recommendations from the ERIC Program Assessment will include a broad range of options such as hypertext linking to publishers, more comprehensive indexing of journals, improving resource allocation, and additional database improvements. The commissioned papers opened the gate to bold new ideas.
  • Resource sharing (ED Reference Center)
  • We just signed a purchase order for a small pilot project to digitize several volumes of the Compendium of Education Laws. This demonstration will provide data for justifying our funding request for digitizing more materials in FY 2003.
  • SIRSI’s purchase is the initial step in delivering information to the desktop within ED and on the Internet and Hyperion is its companion piece.
  • For GPO, Congress has mandated the "transition to a more electronic FDLP." GPO is accomplishing this responsibility through a distributed electronic archive comprised of resources located at GPO, at other Federal agencies, or at non-Government entities. I hope that ED and GPO can cement a partnership for permanent public access to ED digital products. There have been brief discussions with GPO’s Electronic Collections Manager about starting slowly with those ERIC materials residing already on the ed.gov Web site. There are inter-office hurdles to overcome.

  Marketing

  • I recognize the importance of promoting the programs, products, and services of NLE within ED, the education community, the public, and especially the library community. In mid-November, for the first time, NLE will have a booth at the American Association of School Libraries conference in Indianapolis. I also want to pursue coordinating exhibits with ERIC along the same theme line.
  • I’d like to wave a magic wand and have an NLE representative automatically invited to speak at both internal and external ED-sponsored programs and meetings. "Sales calls" will be required to accomplish this goal.
  • I want to improve NLE’s Web pages with the addition of SIRSI, Hyperion, pathfinders, etc. Reference staff has already made some recommendations on what should be included.

  Manpower

  • We really need an "acquisitions specialist" who will make "sales calls" on offices within ED and at other Federal agencies to add the ED Reference Center and the ERIC Facility to their mailing lists, grants, and contracts.
  • With SIRSI’s Hyperion, digitizing unique collections of older materials, and ERIC’s EDVAPS having the technology and capacity for a major role in information dissemination AND archiving, NLE’s operation needs the skilled staff to carry it off.
  • Currently, there is a hiring freeze so it will take some time to accomplish this goal.

  Money

  • NLE and the ERIC Program have been level funded for the 3^rd year in a row. The same funding level is proposed for FY 2002. Periodical price increases average 9% per year. Licensing fees for e-journals are up too. COLAs are due to the ERIC Clearinghouses. We are hopeful that some cost savings can be realized by the implementation of the TEAMS software from Artesia.
  • There is no free lunch for digitizing unique paper collections and for Web page development and maintenance. As funds become available, both of these tasks will be contracted out.
  • Preserving and upgrading our book collections cost money.

  There are several thoughts that I hope you remember after this presentation:

  1. There is an entity called the National Library of Education that you can call, e-mail, fax, etc., for Federal education information;
  2. NLE is working with other ED offices to capture "fugitive" information products for NLE and ERIC;
  3. NLE plans to improve its Web presence by adding content via SIRSI and digitizing unique collections;
  4. ERIC will soon be able to accept PowerPoint, audio, video, and electronic information from authors for the ERIC system.

   

  Thank you.

  National Library of Education

  Helpful Information

   

  National Library of Education
  ED Reference Center	http://www.ed.gov/NLE 800-424-1616 library@ed.gov
  ED Pubs	http://www.ed.gov/pubs/edpubs.html 877-4ED-PUBS edpubs@inet.ed.gov
  USNEI	http://www.ed.gov/NLE/USNEI 800-424-1616 usnei@ed.gov
  National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities	http://www.edfacilities.org 888-552-0624
  ERIC
  ACCESS ERIC	http://www.eric.ed.gov 800-538-3742 accesseric@accesseric.org
  ERIC Annual Report	http://www.eric.ed.gov/resources/annual/index.html
  ERIC Assessment	http://www.eric.ed.gov/papers/index.html http://www.eric.ed.gov/assess/index.html
  ERIC Calendar	http://webprod.aspensys.com/education/ericconf/ericcal/introduction.asp
  ERIC Clearinghouses	http://www.eric.ed.gov
  ERIC Database	http://www.eric.ed.gov/searchdb/searchdb.html
  ERIC Digest	http://www.ed.gov/databases/ERIC_Digests/index/
  ERIC Document Reproduction Service	http://www.edrs.com 800-443-3742 service@edrs.com
  ERIC Listservs	http://www.eric.ed.gov/resources/listservs.html
  ERIC News	http://www.eric.ed.gov/about/ericnews/index.html
  ERIC Processing & Reference Facility	http://ericfacility.org 800-799-3742 ericfac@inet.ed.gov
  ERIC Review	http://www.eric.ed.gov/resources/ericreview/review.html
  ERIC Slide Show	http://www.eric.ed.gov/resources/eric_slides.html
  Resources in Education	http://ericfacility.org/resources.html
  ERIC on the Internet
  AskERIC	http://www.askeric.org askeric@askeric.org
  EROD	http://www.ed.gov/Programs/EROD
  NPIN	http://npin.org npin@uiuc.edu
  Cross-Language Information Retrieval Resources	http://www.clis.umd.edu/dlrg/clir/
  European Education Thesaurus (EET)	http://www.eurydice.org/TeeForm/FrameSet_EN.htm
  Language translation	http://searcheric.org/Spanish.htm
  	http://searcheric.org/German.htm