[Libs-Or] Fwd: [alacoun] RE: [MLA-L] FW: [rusa-l] SAVE THE STATISTICAL ABSTRACT
Diedre Conkling
diedre08 at gmail.com
Fri Mar 18 17:59:00 PDT 2011
I am forwarding this whole discussion to you so you will know what is happening.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless Phone
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: [alacoun] RE: [MLA-L] FW: [rusa-l] SAVE THE STATISTICAL ABSTRACT
From: Emily Sheketoff <esheketoff at alawash.org>
To: Pam Klipsch <pklipsch at jeffcolib.org>," Kristin K. Murphy" <kmurphy at alawash.org>, ALA Council <alacoun at ala.org>
CC:
Pam,
I'm so happy you inquired. In President Obama's Budget Request to
Congress, he eliminated the Census Office staff that does these
statistical abstracts.
Staff from ALA's Office of Government Relations has been in contact with
a reference librarian who tried to do these abstracts herself and found
that some information is not available to the general public. They are
also working with members of GODORT to compile a good collection of
specific examples of library patrons who use this information and for
what.
After consulting with ALA President, Roberta Stevens, we intend to use
all this information we have collected in letters to both the House and
Senate Appropriators to ask them to restore funds for this very
important government service.
I hope the Council will join other interested librarians in contacting
their legislators through ALA's Legislative Action Center at
http://bit.ly/legaction when we call for grassroots action in a few
weeks.
Emily Sheketoff
From: pamklipsch at gmail.com [mailto:pamklipsch at gmail.com] On Behalf Of
Pam Klipsch
Sent: Friday, March 18, 2011 2:22 PM
To: Emily Sheketoff; Kristin K. Murphy; ALA Council
Subject: Fwd: [MLA-L] FW: [rusa-l] SAVE THE STATISTICAL ABSTRACT
More information being relayed to librarians in Missouri. I am being
asked: what does ALA leadership and the Washington Office have to say
about this?
Pam Klipsch
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jodie Borgerding <jborgerding80 at webster.edu>
Date: Fri, Mar 18, 2011 at 1:04 PM
Subject: [MLA-L] FW: [rusa-l] SAVE THE STATISTICAL ABSTRACT
To: MLA-L at mlnclist.mlnc.org
FYI...
________________________________________
Jodie L. Borgerding, M.L.S.
Instruction and Liaison Librarian
Emerson Library
Webster University
470 E. Lockwood
St. Louis, MO 63119
(314) 246-7819 <tel:%28314%29%20246-7819>
jborgerding80 at webster.edu
http://library.webster.edu/portals/comm_portal.html - A research portal
for the School of Communications
http://religionwu.wordpress.com <http://religionwu.wordpress.com/> - A
resources blog for the Dept. of Religious Studies
Chuck Norris doesn't read books. He stares them down until they give him
the information.
From: Taylor, Liane [mailto:ltaylor at txstate.edu]
Sent: Friday, March 18, 2011 12:52 PM
To: rusa-l at ala.org
Subject: [rusa-l] SAVE THE STATISTICAL ABSTRACT
Please excuse the cross postings.
The Census Bureau has had to put the US Statistical Abstract on the
chopping block for 2012. This budget estimate is currently sitting at
Congress. See University of Michigan's Population Studies Center's blog
entry about it here, with links to the actual document:
http://www.psc.isr.umich.edu/pscinfoserv/?p=1814.
I have just spoken with Cathy Lavender, who works on the Abstract and
has for over 20 years. She said the staff just found out about this last
month and it's been devastating and a shock. They requested to continue
with the online, but that is not currently an option. Staff at the
Abstracts are only able to advocate for this on their personal
computers, and otherwise their hands are tied. It's up to us to rally
for the cause.
Cathy said that staff has been told to contact their representatives in
Congress to advocate that the Abstract be continued.
(http://www.contactingthecongress.org/)
Please note that the County and City Data Book and the State and
Metropolitan Area Data Book are also on the chopping block.
The main number at the Abstract is 301-763-1171, but when I called I was
not able to get a hold of anyone. I eventually called the main Census
contact number at 301-763-INFO (4636) and was connected to a division
where Cathy works, at 301-763-1166.
Hailey Mooney, Data Services and Reference Librarian at Michigan State
University Libraries has written a letter that can be used or adapted to
send to your representative. I am appending it below with her
permission.
I hope that we as individuals and groups within ALA can work together to
save this invaluable resource.
Please contact me with any questions or ideas!
Best,
Liane
Liane Taylor
RUSA Reference Services Section Vice-Chair, 2010-2011
Serials Acquisitions Librarian
Albert B. Alkek Library
Texas State University - San Marcos
601 University Drive * San Marcos * TX * 78666
ltaylor at txstate.edu <mailto:ltaylor at txstate.edu> * 512.245.2643
-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion of Government Document Issues
[mailto:GOVDOC-L at lists.psu.edu] On Behalf Of Mooney, Hailey
Sent: Friday, March 18, 2011 8:31 AM
To: GOVDOC-L at LISTS.PSU.EDU
Subject: Re: [GOVDOC-L] Statistical Abstract
I drafted a letter, which I will share below for others like myself who
can't wait and just have to contact their representatives right away!
I
tried to incorporate a lot of the sentiments that I have heard on this
list. I see now that it lacks a specific call to action, which is
something that a formal letter from a group like GODORT, IASSIST, or the
ACRL Data Interest
Group would want to include. Maybe it can be a starting point though?
Dear ____,
The U.S. Census Bureau's Budget Estimates for Fiscal Year 2012 calls for
the termination of the Statistical Abstract program. The library
community is deeply upset at the thought of losing access to this
important program and urges you to take action to stop this program
change.
The Statistical Abstract of the United States is a crucial source in the
provision of social, economic, and political indicators to the American
public. The Budget Estimates document suggests that the Statistical
Abstract is no longer needed due to the "availability elsewhere of much
of the information in the statistical abstract". As a reference
publication the Statistical Abstract is valued precisely for aggregating
in one convenient location a variety of information sources available
elsewhere.
The provision of private information not freely available elsewhere is
also invaluable. Published since 1878, this important resource is a
staple of reference librarians for its ease of use, comprehensive
content, and as a guidebook to statistical sources.
It would be a disservice to the American public to terminate the
Statistical Abstract program. A democratic society is only made
possible by an informed citizenry. The multitude of government
statistical programs and publications can be difficult for many members
of the public to understand and use. The government must support
programs like the Statistical Abstract that enhance the availability of
information.
Many developed countries throughout the world publish Statistical
Abstracts.
It is a standard government publication that is universally popular as
a tool to understand the state of a nation's social, political and
economic functioning. Terminating the Statistical Abstract program
would lower the United States international standing as free and open
society that values unfettered access to information.
Even in these trying economic times the Census Bureau must continue to
support the mission of the Department of Commerce to "Improve
understanding of the US economy, society and environment by providing
timely, relevant, trusted and accurate data, standards and services
enabling entities to make informed decisions." The Statistical Abstract
program clearly supports this goal by providing a valuable directory to
the wealth of statistical information produced by the US government and
private sources. We must not let short-sighted and ineffective attempts
at lowering the federal deficit stand in the way of upholding the values
upon which our nation was founded: a democratic society supported by an
informed public.
Hailey Mooney
Data Services and Reference Librarian
Liaison to Human Development & Family Studies, Social Work, Sociology
Michigan State University Libraries
100 Library
East Lansing, Michigan 48824-1048
517-884-0857
mooneyh at mail.lib.msu.edu
Liane Taylor
Serials Acquisitions Librarian
Albert B. Alkek Library
Texas State University - San Marcos
601 University Drive * San Marcos * TX * 78666
ltaylor at txstate.edu <mailto:ltaylor at txstate.edu> * 512.245.2643
--
Pam Klipsch MLS
Director
Jefferson County Library
5678 Highway PP
High Ridge MO 63049
636-677-8689
Missouri Chapter Councilor 2011-2013
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