SLA Louisiana / Southern Mississippi Chapter October Meeting Notes
A chapter meeting was held on October 29, 1999 at the Louisiana State Library. In addition to a presentation by Judy Smith of the
Louisiana
Government Information Network (LaGIN), meeting attendees were given a "behind the
scenes" tour of the recently remodeled Louisiana State Library.
In her presentation Judy Smith mentioned that The Louisiana Government Information Network (LaGIN) was formed in
1979 to identify and share informational resources produced and/or housed in state agencies. LaGIN seeks to open
access to information and assure efficient utilization of resources in government by supporting a network of state
agency information providers.
LaGIN produces the Directory of State Government
Information Resources, a listing of state agencies which collect, develop or house information
in printed, digital, and other formats. Each entry includes the name of the agency, the department, mailing and
physical address, contact person, telephone number, a description of the information and how it can be accessed.
The directory is updated periodically.
LaGIN also publishes a biannual list of new books in the collection of the State Library, prepared
by librarians in the Reference and Bibliography Section. Ten subject areas are covered: Administrative Services,
Community Development, Computer Science, Corrections, Economy, Education, Environment, Health, Mental Health, and
Social Welfare. The bibliographies are distributed to interested state employees and officials, who can borrow
publications listed from the State Library. This current awareness service helps state personnel improve performance
through keeping abreast of new developments in their fields.
LaGIN also publishes a quarterly newsletter, Information Resources Exchange (IRE), which contains information about new information
resources, workshops, conferences, state agency projects, and LaGIN meetings and programs.
Louisiana Government Information Network (LaGIN)
Judy Smith, Coordinator
Phone and FAX (225)342-2791
jsmith@pelican.state.lib.la.us
http://www.state.lib.la.us/Dept/UserServ/Publications/LaGin/index1.htm