IRs at Cornell
But what are we DOING with them?
Primarily, populating them with scholarly output.
Promises 1, 2, 3 and (to some extent) 6.
So what about the accelerating effect on the "information wants to be free" movement?
Why not?
Arguably, it's because our focus on academic and scholarly output is preventing us from pursuing other appropriate content.
Which isn't necessarily a problem, but it is a missed opportunity.
Why government information?
1. There's a lot of it.
2. It's increasingly being born digital.
3. It's vital to scholars, researchers, and citizens
4. There's no coherent government strategy for providing access and preservation.
5. The various incoherent policies are pretty scary.
Because it's necessary, proper, and very achievable.
Government Information and Documents
A variety of sources...
...and a variety of time commitments.
Necessary?
Proper?
Achievable?
Faculty
Researchers
Students
Citizens
We've been doing it for a while now.
DISCLAIMER
PRESERVATION
ACCESS
Challenges
Preservation
Acquisition
Staffing
Closing thoughts...
Questions?