Clara,

Although the GSA Library's primary purpose is to serve GSA staff, it is
open to the public for research purposes and our catalog is available on
the Web.  The Library is a FOIA reading room for the agency and a selective
Federal Depository.  Members of the public only have to show identification
and register at the guards' desk before entering the building.  With some
restrictions on type of material and loan period, the public can borrow
items through ILL.   Photocopying is limited to material that is by or
about GSA and not publically available.

Our traditional policy has been for reference librarians to guide or direct
the public in their own searches within the Library but not to perform
research or use fee-based sources for them.  However, as the members of the
public, especially FirstGov users, send more questions by e-mail, the
librarians are having to do more of the research themselves.  We are
watching the workload generated by this new access method to see if we need
to adjust our policy.  Of particular concern for a small staff is the
amount of time spent researching to redirect questions to the appropriate
agency.

Helen Bradley
Library Director
GSA Library




                    "Clara M Smith"         To:     [log in to unmask]
                    <Clara.Smith@TAS        cc:     (bcc: Helen T. Bradley/CAI/CO/GSA/GOV)
                    C.DOT.GOV>              Subject:     Library Access to the Public
                    Sent by:
                    "FEDLIB: Federal
                    Librarians
                    Discussion List"
                    <[log in to unmask]>


                    09/04/2001 10:42
                    AM
                    Please respond
                    to "FEDLIB:
                    Federal
                    Librarians
                    Discussion List"






I have been asked to review our public access policy. What is your
policy/procedure for allowing the public to use your library?

Thanks

Clara M. Smith
Library Director
U.S. Department of Transportation Library
(202) 366-0752