1. Does the library select titles from the "Basic Collection" (or acquire equivalent commercial, or access CD-ROM or on-line versions)? Note any commercial equivalents adjacent to the specific title below. Explain why any are not selected, and where the library can refer patrons for that title.
Yes, all are selected.
__X__ Budget of the United States
__X__ Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
__X__ Census Catalog and Guide
__X__ Census of Population and Housing for (State)
__X__ Code of Federal Regulations
__X__ Congressional Directory
__X__ Congressional Record
__X__ County and City Data Book
__X__ Federal Register
__X__ Historical Statistics of the United States
__X__ Monthly Catalog
__X__ National Trade Data Bank (NTDB) CD-ROM
__X__ Publications Reference File
__X__ Slip Laws (Public)
__X__ Statistical Abstract of the United States
__X__ Statutes at Large
__X__ Subject Bibliographies
__X__ United States Code
__X__ United States Government Manual
__X__ United States Reports
__X__ Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents
2. Do the library staff or patrons use GPO Access services? Does the library have Internet World Wide Web capability to allow staff and patrons to access GPO's home page and other Web-accessible government information resources? Does the library have dial-in access instead?
An Internet lab with 9 workstations is available to Northwestern
faculty, staff and students. Members of the public may be
assisted in use of the World Wide Web in the Documents
Librarian’s office. All library faculty and staff have Internet
workstations in or near their work areas.
3. Does the library select CD-ROM’s? What are the most frequently used?
Yes, the library selects CD-ROM’s. Those with the highest use
include 1990 Census of Population and Housing, Education
Statistics on Disc, National Trade Databank, Statistical Abstract of the United States, and the World Fact Book.
4. What maps, if any, are selected, e.g., topographic for state, DMA, NOAA, CIA, etc.
Watson Library selects:
Topographic Maps for Louisiana
Louisiana 7.5’ Topographic Series
Louisiana 15’ Topographic Series
Louisiana State Map Series, Planimetric
CIA Maps and Atlases
U.S. Geological Survey Maps
National Park Series
5. Does the library have a written depository collection development policy or a government documents component of a general collection development policy? If so, attach a copy of the policy, or relevant portions of a library-wide policy, to this self-study.
Excerpt: "Materials in the U.S. Documents Collection, while focusing most closely on the needs of the University community, are also intended to meet the Government information needs of citizens residing in the 4th U.S. Congressional District."
It describes with some specificity how the library ascertains and meets general public as well as University community depository needs. Excerpt: "As a selective depository for Federal documents...Watson Library also provides ample material for undergraduate business-related curricula and for the study of regional economic development, as well as for numerous other areas."
Types of materials Watson Library selects to specifically meet local and congressional district depository needs include core
collection materials as well as materials on fisheries and wildlife, food and nutrition, forestry, health and vital statistics, education, and labor statistics.
The primary patrons of Northwestern State University of Louisiana's Watson Memorial Library are over 8,883 students and
approximately 275 faculty spread over four campuses. Enrollment
at the main campus is approximately 5,500. The University is
categorized as a four-year open-admissions college, offering
several programs at the graduate level. Northwestern places strong emphasis on teacher education, nursing education, and
business administration, and is the designated National Center for Preservation Technology.
Northwestern State University's Watson Library is located in
historically rich Natchitoches, the oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana Purchase. Founded in 1714, Natchitoches has a
population of about 17,000. Agriculture and tourism are major
parts of the local economy.
Business, Education, and Social Sciences students, especially those majoring in political science, and faculty are some of the main campus users of depository materials, utilizing documents that relate to those fields. General public depository patrons
regularly use census data, Congressional publications (CFR,
Congressional Record, Federal Register, Commerce Business
Daily), federal rules and regulations, USGS maps, and Louisiana
soil surveys. Bankers, attorneys, foresters, farmers, local school faculty, staff and students, surveyors and engineers, historians, realtors, various governmental officials, and genealogists are regular depository patrons. Natchitoches Parish Library staff frequently refer patrons to Watson Library.
The depository collection development policy is a component of
the general collection development policy. The policy affirms the
depository's responsibility to meet the government information
needs of the general public.
6. Describe any collection development coordination and depository resource sharing efforts that the library attempts with area depositories in order to eliminate unnecessary item duplication and ensure adequate coverage of the area.
Collection coordination is fairly limited as Watson Library is
located 60 miles away from any other Louisiana depository.
Nevertheless, Watson Library’s depository and the one at Vernon
Parish Library in Leesville do eliminate unnecessary item
duplication by relying on each other to collect in certain subject areas. Watson Library, for example, maintains a comprehensive collection of education documents but depends on Vernon Parish Library for documents on patents and trademarks. The Vernon Parish Library in turn refers patrons to Watson Library for educational material. There is a great deal of communication between Northwestern and Vernon Parish due to proximity.
7. How often are regular reviews of documents selections conducted (zero-based item number selection)?
This has been done annually in the past and will be done
annually in the future. 1997, however, was an exceptional year
since at the time item selections were due the current Documents
Librarian had only been in her position for a few weeks and was
reluctant to make major changes to the collection.
8. Does the library have suitable index tools to effectively access the resources in the documents collection? Below is a listing of many government issued and commercial indices and services. Of course, not all of these tools are appropriate for all types of depositories. Check off the information products and services to which the library has access. If on-line access is readily available to staff for some indices, note that fact. Add any relevant titles which the library owns or has access to on-line.
__X__ ASI (American Statistics Index)
_____ ASI on Statistical Masterfile CD-ROM
__X__ Ames, John G. Comprehensive Index to the Publications
of the U.S. Government, 1881-1893
__X__ Andriot, John. Guide to U.S. Government Publications
__X__ Bibliography of Agriculture
____ CCH Congressional Index
__X__ CIJE (Current Index to Journals in Education)
____ CIS Index to Presidential Executive Orders and
Proclamations
____ CIS Index to U.S. Senate Executive Documents and
Reports
____ CIS U.S. Government Periodicals Index
____ CIS Index to the Code of Federal Regulations
____ CIS Federal Register Index
____ CIS American Foreign Policy Index
__X__ CIS Index to Publications of the United States Congress
____ CIS Congressional Masterfile CD-ROM
__X__ CIS U.S. Serial Set Index
____ CIS U.S. Congressional Committee Hearings Index
____ CIS U.S. Congressional Committee Prints Index
__X__ CQ Weekly
__X__ Checklist of United States Public Documents, 1789-1909
__X__ Cumulative Subject Index to the Monthly Catalog of U.S.
Government Publications, 1900-1971
_____ Declassified Documents Index
__X__ Dialog
__X__ Documents Catalog, 1893-1940
__X__ EPA Reports Bibliography
__X__ ERIC CD-ROM
__X__ Index Medicus
_____ Lexis
__X__ Monthly Catalog
__X__ Monthly Catalog CD-ROM
Brand SILVERPLATTER
__X__Monthly Catalog, loaded in on-line system, available
from OPAC terminals
__X__ NLM MEDLINE
__X__ NTIS Government Reports Announcements and Index
__X__ OCLC
_____ OCLC FirstSearch
__X__ PAIS ____ PAIS CD-ROM
__X__ Poore, Benjamin P. A Descriptive Catalog of the
Government Publications of the United States, September
5, 1774-March 4, 1881
__X__ RIE (Resources In Education)
_____ Westlaw
_____ Wilsonline
_____ Uncover
_____ U.S. Code Congressional and Administrative News
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