Groups Oppose Drastic GPO Reductions in Print Distribution

Today, I read an article on the American Library Association (2005) website concerning a proposed reduction (and near elimination) of government depository print distribution. This reduction would essentially restrict the print distribution to the 50 most essential titles, and allow for a small stipend available to select government depository libraries for additional items. Libraries would be responsible for purchasing any other materials out of their own budgets. Documents would continue to be available digitally.

I see this reduction of funds to be an abuse of the second face of power, as described by Peter Bacharach and Morton Baratz (Hatch, 1997). By limiting access to specific formats of materials, the government is limiting free and easy access to those persons unable or uncomfortable with the technological skills to use the Internet. A person can view this, at its basic level, as an attempt to create a barrier to the political process.

Peter Bacharach and Morton Baratz address the fields of sociology and political science with their theories (Hatch, 1997). As the Hatch (1997) text states, the theory of the two faces of power is aimed at a particular form of social organization, the community. In this community, the Government Printing Office would be the power-holding unit, and the citizenry of the United States would be the overall community. Our government depository libraries are also members of the community.

I invite your comments on this issue both as organization theorists and as librarians. If the GPO enacts this proposal, I see librarians filling a greater role in making sure that citizens understand the availability of government documents. I also wonder if the ALA or other organizations can stop this proposal.

American Library Association. (2005, February 2). Groups oppose drastic GPO reductions in print distribution. Retrieved March 20, 2005, from http://www.ala.org/Template.cfm?Section=News&template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=86044
Hatch, M. J. (1997). Organization theory: modern, symbolic, and postmodern perspectives. New York: Oxford University Press.

Jeff B.