Guidelines for Libraries of Government Departments - IFLA

information vendors which include conditions for access. This can be linked in
with the physical collection through references in a single catalogue. If this is
electronically based and has been linked to the internet, access to these sites
can be directly managed through a single interface such as a portal.
7.6 Providing access to disabled users
Government libraries should take steps to insure that all of a library’s intended
users can access the library. This could require pursuing physical changes for
the library, such as ramps for wheelchair users, or pursuing more “invisible”
changes, such as making sure that all the software purchased for the library has
features designed to allow equal access for disabled users. In 2005, the IFLA
Standing Committee of Libraries Serving Disadvantaged Persons released a
checklist as a means of evaluating the accessibility of libraries. This checklist
can be found online at:
[http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla71/papers/113e-Nielsen_Irval.pdf]
7.7 Be aware of current events
Government librarians serve a group of users whose needs may well ebb and
flow according to the actions of the government and the current events of the
day. In order to identify documents of current and lasting significance,
government librarians must have a clear understanding of their users’ makeup,
interests and activities, as well as current issues and controversies.
7.8 Foster relationships with the relevant government agencies
Government librarians should develop healthy working relationships with the
agencies they serve, in part so that they will be informed of new or upcoming
publications. Ask to be placed on selected agency mailing lists. If publications
are not forthcoming from a particular agency, the librarian must be prepared to
plead the public’s right to know what is happening in government or to cite the
needs of public officials or to cite a law requiring public comment on certain types
of publications.
7.9 Promote information literacy in government documents
Part of providing access to government documents lies in teaching users how to
evaluate their own information needs and then how to find and use government
documents to meet those needs. The library should consider offering classes on
its collection, on its catalogue, and on the services it offers. Classes may be
particularly important when offering new online or electronic services.
7.10 Challenges for developing countries
These guidelines may seem highly theoretical to many government libraries in
developing countries. Electronic preservation is hardly the norm even in
developing countries and may be impossible under a new or developing country.
There are financial, availability of trained personnel, and infrastructure issues as
well. The concept of public access to government information through a library
depository may be a new concept and depends on a philosophical orientation
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