Assesses the value of the Government Printing Office's 1983 "Biennial Survey" as a tool to support depository library planning and decision making. The survey data are evaluated in terms of reliability, validity, and utility, and recommendations are offered for improving the design, administration, and analysis of the survey. (CLB)

Offers information on the 1977 law passed by the Minnesota legislature which supported adoptive parents' right to open the sealed birth certificates of their adopted children. (CM)

These proposed standards prepared by the CD-ROM Ad Hoc Advisory Committee (the "High Sierra Group") specify the volume and file structure of compact read-only optical discs (CD-ROM) for the interchange of information between users of information processing systems. (Author/LRW)

To determine the frequency of reported litigation in higher education, a WESTLAW search of the institutional, employees, and student categories under the topic "Colleges and Universities" was conducted. The institutional cases declined notably in the 1980s while the employee and student cases increased slightly. (MLF)

Examination of 216 court decisions from 1977 to 1981 and a survey of 97 higher education officials from the Southeast showed that little growth had occurred in faculty employment cases and that administrators have a generally inaccurate perception of these judicial developments. Copies of the survey questionnaires are appended. (RW)

Discusses the importance of the next article in this issue, which deals with the acceptance of electronic or optical forms of data as evidence during litigation. The collection and storage of data in new formats is described, and the need for technological knowledge for attorneys acting as general counsel to agencies is discussed. (LRW)

Presents guidelines prepared by Department of Justice Management Division staff to provide an understanding of the rules of evidence as they apply to electronically filed records and ensure that appropriate agency procedures are instituted in creating and maintaining such records. Hearsay, authentication, and the laying of a proper foundation are…

The perception of an "explosion" of education litigation expressed by federal officials and by the relevant literature is incorrect. Summarizes the findings of previous research and of the present study to answer the frequency question, and reveals findings as to United States Supreme Court decisions. (MLF)

Outlines new CD-I (compact disc-interactive) standard jointly developed by Sony and Philips which specifies what can be present on the compact disc and how it is coded. Specification allows for mixing CD digital audio and CD-I tracks on CD-I disks, and for CD digital audio decoding on CD-I players. (MBR)

In the 1986 Maine court decision "True v. Ladner," a school superintendent was found guilty of slander for a teacher recommendation. Many school attorneys are now advising superintendents and school officials not to provide references for former employees. If this becomes widespread the process of screening applicants for teaching…

This extract from the author's doctoral thesis reports on a survey of Minnesota school board chairpersons, superintendents, and school attorneys on the role of the school district attorney. The results showed that attorneys perceived themselves as more responsible and involved in decision-making than did the administrators. (Author/RW)

Includes three articles: the first presents rules and regulations from the "Federal Register" that focus on educational effectiveness in postsecondary institutions; the second discusses the appropriateness of various research methodologies for assessment and accountability of reference services; and the third examines data collection…

Discusses U.S. government information policy issues related to the dissemination of information, particularly in electronic format. Policy initiatives with implications for dissemination of government information are also considered, including reauthorization of the Paperwork Reduction Act; revision of the Office of Management and Budget Circular…

Points out that purchasers of CD-ROM products do not acquire the same rights as they do when purchasing print products. Licensing terms and agreements of 12 CD-ROM producers are examined and the making of backup copies of support software, downloading, multiple use and other restrictions, and negotiating different licensing terms are discussed.…

Reports agency publication policies established by the President's Task Force on Management Report and subsequent reductions in data collection and publishing activities. The impact of these policies on the availability and cost of federal statistical documentation collected by libraries is described. (CLB)