GOVERNMENT RELATIONS PRACTICE STATEMENTS

It is the practice of the Special Libraries Association (SLA) to fund and operate a government relations program that monitors and influences the information policies of the world's governments.

II. Purpose

To ensure that the interests of the profession are represented and considered during government debates on information policy, and that the membership is continually updated and involvement in these processes.

III. Priorities

The SLA government relations program shall monitor government activity in five primary areas of concern:

Copyright/Intellectual Property: SLA supports the rights of creators and users, since the membership is involved in both. As governments struggle to achieve uniform global copyright laws, SLA will work to ensure that balanced policies are enacted. Piracy and other inappropriate uses of copyright works must be eliminated. However, rights such as fair use, first sale, library preservation, and distance learning must be reinforced globally so as to ensure the continued development of new and better copyrighted works.

Access to Information: SLA firmly believes that governments have a responsibility to ensure access to its information and publications. Therefore, governments must seek to grant access in such a way that its citizens can do so easily and at their convenience. Given that digitized information makes such dissemination much easier, governments must also work to ensure that all works are archived for future generations.

Telecommunications: SLA supports the establishment of a telecommunications infrastructure that can provide universal access to all segments of society, including the individual at home, work or school. Computer networks continue to connect users with vast amounts of information unencumbered by geographic location. The special library community is working with policymakers as they work to ensure that the infrastructure is accessible and affordable for users of the systems in the marketplace.

Development of the Global Information Infrastructure: SLA supports the establishment of a new information infrastructure which can provide universal access to all segments of the global society. In a paper prepared for the transition team of the Clinton/Gore Administration in 1993, SLA stated that the world needs an information strategy to "address issues relating to the development of an information infrastructure, including guaranteed access to government information for all citizens through libraries, distribution programs, community learning centers, and the information highway."

Competitiveness for the Profession: Information will be at the center of business and society in the next century. The rise of knowledge industries offers opportunities for special librarians and information specialists to be change makers and leaders as they demonstrate the connection between the information they provide and the realization of the goals of their larger organizations. Whether located in a Fortune 500 company or a small enterprise, special librarians will be the trainers; helping others navigate through the vast amounts of information resources available. SLA members must seize this opportunity and market their ever-expanding skills in order for those in the larger organizations to seek them out when searching for information. The development of information policies that will facilitate the services provided by special librarians is a top priority of SLA.

The government relations program shall also monitor and seek to influence development of policies that will encourage the growth of the association.

IV. Responsibility

The Director, Government Relations will serve as the primary member of staff responsible for ensuring that the aforementioned priorities receive the attention of government officials. Advice and direction will be provided by the Senior Director for Publications and Public Affairs, the Assistant Executive Director for Programs and Development, and the Executive Director.

Approved: 1980
Reformatted and Updated: October 1997