1. SENATOR LIEBERMAN JOINS IN REQUESTING STUDY
Senator Lieberman wrote to NCLIS Chairperson Martha Gould on July 17, 2000, "to join in Senator McCain's request. . ." Senator Lieberman asked that NCLIS include in the review "any relevant sections of the Paperwork Reduction Act that may need revision, " and also that the study "consider the viability of maintaining NTIS as a centralized fully electronic repository of federal scientific and technical information." See letter and Chairperson Gould's reply, above on this same web page.
2. PANELS BEGIN WORK
Each of the four panel chairs has either submitted an initial draft of key issues and concerns to their panels for review and comment, or held a meeting with their members to identify issues (e.g. Panel Four met at NCLIS on August 10th). Chair-panel member interactions are occurring primarily electronically with group postings of draft or 'strawman' materials.
3. ANALYSIS OF FEDERAL PUBLIC INFORMATION DISSEMINATION STATUTES
A preliminary analysis has been completed of the many hundreds of federal statutes, identified in the 1996 Congressional Research Service (CRS) compilation, directing federal agencies to establish and maintain some kind of public information resource. The analysis endeavors to classify the congressionally imposed requirements into useful categories. The analysis will soon be published on this web page for public review and comment, and furnished to the panels. A law school student is also being asked to assist the Commission in additional analyses.
4. LETTERS TO PROSPECTIVE BOARD OF EXPERT MEMBERS
Letters to 14 prospective board of expert members were sent out by NCLIS during the week of August 7th. Five acceptances have been received so far, and the two individuals who declined indicated they might still be able to participate in the study, but in a more informal, unofficial mode, because of heavy work commitments or restrictions placed on them by their organization regarding participating in such endeavors.
5. MAJOR PARADIGMS, MYTHS, AND REALITIES
NCLIS staff, with the assistance of several board of expert members, has begun drafting a list of major information age paradigm shifts, and their associated common myths and realities. Eventually this document will be posted on this web page for public review and comment.
6. TRACKING FIRSTGOV, ACCESS AMERICA, AND RELATED ACTIVITIES
NCLIS and/or its invited experts are tracking developments in regard to the FirstGov.Gov activity, and the further evolution of the Access America web site. Web site addresses are posted on this web page for direct linking.
7. DEAN EMERITUS ROBERT HAYES BEGINS WORK ON REVIEW OF 1982 NCLIS PUBLIC-PRIVATE SECTOR TASK FORCE FINDINGS
Dean Emeritus Robert Hayes has begun work to review the findings, conclusions, and recommendations made in the 1982 NCLIS Task Force Report on Public-Private Sector Relationships, in the light of the changed circumstances that have occurred in the interim period since 1982, and will furnish the Commission with the results of his analysis later.
8. INTERIM STUDY BIBLIOGRAPHY BEING PREPARED BY SARAH KADEC
An interim study bibliography is being prepared by Sarah Kadec and will be published as a resource to the work panels, experts' board, and others interested in participating in, or tracking the NCLIS study.