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{font-size:10pt;font-family:Tahom</style>I am forwarding a message from a different discussion list, including a letter to your local representatives in Congress, put together by Hailey
Mooney, a librarian from Michigan State. I think it is a very well-written letter that we can all use to contact our Congressmen and Senators. The only thing I'd like to add, I think it needs to be disseminated beyond the library community. Those of us who work with research, business or advocacy / non-profit communities should try to make them aware of the potential loss of information access that is at stake here. I will try to circulate this letter among my colleagues and members of my other professional associations as much as possible.<br><br><font style="font-size: 8pt;" size="1"><i>Alexey Panchenko<br id="ecxv0c4">NLM Fellow, PhD Candidate<br id="ecxvx61">Oregon Health & Science University <br> Department of Medical Informatics <br></i><i>----------------------------------------<br id="ecxkqma">tel: 503-805-6483<br id="ecxod_o"><a href="mailto:panchenk@ohsu.edu" id="ecxdfl1">panchenk@ohsu.edu</a> or<br id="ecxww2r"><a href="mailto:alexey.panchenko@gmail.com" id="ecxtdle" title="alexey.panchenko@gmail.com">alexey.panchenko@gmail.com</a></i></font><br><br><br><div><div><div style="border-width: 1pt medium medium; border-style: solid none none; border-color: rgb(181, 196, 223) -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color; padding: 3pt 0in 0in;"><p class="ecxMsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">From:</span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> Taylor, Liane [mailto:<a href="mailto:ltaylor@txstate.edu">ltaylor@txstate.edu</a>] <br><b>Sent:</b> Friday, March 18, 2011 1:43 PM<br><b>To:</b> <a href="mailto:rusa-l@ala.org">rusa-l@ala.org</a>; <a href="mailto:rss-l@ala.org">rss-l@ala.org</a>; <a href="mailto:codes-l@ala.org">codes-l@ala.org</a>; <a href="mailto:brass-l@ala.org">brass-l@ala.org</a>; <a href="mailto:history-l@ala.org">history-l@ala.org</a><br><b>Subject:</b> [brass-l] SAVE THE STATISTICAL ABSTRACT</span></p></div></div><p class="ecxMsoNormal"> </p><p class="ecxMsoNormal">Please excuse the cross postings. </p><p class="ecxMsoNormal"> </p><p class="ecxMsoNormal">The
Census Bureau has had to put the US Statistical Abstract on the
chopping block for 2012. This budget estimate is currently sitting at
Congress. See University of Michigan’s Population Studies Center’s blog
entry about it here, with links to the actual document: <a href="http://www.psc.isr.umich.edu/pscinfoserv/?p=1814" target="_blank">http://www.psc.isr.umich.edu/<wbr>pscinfoserv/?p=1814</a>.</p><p class="ecxMsoNormal"> </p><p class="ecxMsoNormal">I
have just spoken with Cathy Lavender, who works on the Abstract and has
for over 20 years. She said the staff just found out about this last
month and it’s been devastating and a shock. They requested to continue
with the online, but that is not currently an option. Staff at the
Abstracts are only able to advocate for this on their personal
computers, and otherwise their hands are tied. <b>It’s up to us to rally for the cause. </b></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal"> </p><p class="ecxMsoNormal"><b>Cathy said that staff has been told to contact their representatives in Congress to advocate that the Abstract be continued. (<a href="http://www.contactingthecongress.org/" target="_blank">http://www.<wbr>contactingthecongress.org/</a>)</b></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal"><b> </b></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal"><b>Please note that the County and City Data Book and the State and Metropolitan Area Data Book are also on the chopping block.</b></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal"> </p><p class="ecxMsoNormal">The main number at the Abstract is <a target="_blank">301-763-1171</a>,
but when I called I was not able to get a hold of anyone. I eventually
called the main Census contact number at 301-763-INFO (4636) and was
connected to a division where Cathy works, at <a target="_blank">301-763-1166</a>. </p><p class="ecxMsoNormal"> </p><p class="ecxMsoNormal">Hailey
Mooney, Data Services and Reference Librarian at Michigan State
University Libraries has written a letter that can be used or adapted to
send to your representative. I am appending it below with her
permission. </p><p class="ecxMsoNormal"> </p><p class="ecxMsoNormal">I hope that we as individuals and groups within ALA can work together to save this invaluable resource. </p><p class="ecxMsoNormal"> </p><p class="ecxMsoNormal">Please contact me with any questions or ideas!</p><p class="ecxMsoNormal"> </p><p class="ecxMsoNormal">Best,</p><p class="ecxMsoNormal">Liane</p><p class="ecxMsoNormal"> </p><p class="ecxMsoNormal"><b><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);">Liane Taylor</span></b></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal"><b><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);">RUSA Reference Services Section Vice-Chair, 2010-2011</span></b></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(89, 89, 89);">Serials Acquisitions Librarian</span></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(89, 89, 89);">Albert B. Alkek Library</span></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(89, 89, 89);">Texas State University - San Marcos<b><br></b>601 University Drive </span><span style="font-size: 9pt; color: rgb(89, 89, 89);">•</span><span style="color: rgb(89, 89, 89);"> San Marcos </span><span style="font-size: 9pt; color: rgb(89, 89, 89);">•</span><span style="color: rgb(89, 89, 89);"> TX </span><span style="font-size: 9pt; color: rgb(89, 89, 89);">•</span><span style="color: rgb(89, 89, 89);"> 78666</span></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);"><a href="mailto:ltaylor@txstate.edu"><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);">ltaylor@txstate.edu</span></a></span><span style="color: rgb(89, 89, 89);"> </span><span style="font-size: 9pt; color: rgb(89, 89, 89);">•</span><span style="color: rgb(89, 89, 89);"> <a target="_blank">512.245.2643</a> </span></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal"> </p><p class="ecxMsoNormal"> </p>-----Original Message-----<br>From: Discussion of Government Document Issues [mailto:<a href="mailto:GOVDOC-L@lists.psu.edu">GOVDOC-L@lists.psu.edu</a><wbr>] On Behalf Of Mooney, Hailey<br>Sent: Friday, March 18, 2011 8:31 AM<br>To: <a href="mailto:GOVDOC-L@LISTS.PSU.EDU">GOVDOC-L@LISTS.PSU.EDU</a><br>Subject: Re: [GOVDOC-L] Statistical Abstract<br> <br>I
drafted a letter, which I will share below for others like myself who
can't wait and just have to contact their representatives right away! I<br>tried
to incorporate a lot of the sentiments that I have heard on this list. I
see now that it lacks a specific call to action, which is something
that a formal letter from a group like GODORT, IASSIST, or the ACRL Data
Interest<br>Group would want to include. Maybe it can be a starting point though?<br> <br>Dear ____,<br> <br>The
U.S. Census Bureau's Budget Estimates for Fiscal Year 2012 calls for
the termination of the Statistical Abstract program. The library
community is deeply upset at the thought of losing access to this
important program and urges you to take action to stop this program
change. <br> <br>The Statistical Abstract of the United States is
a crucial source in the provision of social, economic, and political
indicators to the American public. The Budget Estimates document
suggests that the Statistical Abstract is no longer needed due to the
"availability elsewhere of much of the information in the statistical
abstract". As a reference publication the Statistical Abstract is
valued precisely for aggregating in one convenient location a variety of
information sources available elsewhere. <br>The provision of
private information not freely available elsewhere is also invaluable.
Published since 1878, this important resource is a staple of reference
librarians for its ease of use, comprehensive content, and as a
guidebook to statistical sources. <br> <br>It would be a
disservice to the American public to terminate the Statistical Abstract
program. A democratic society is only made possible by an informed
citizenry. The multitude of government statistical programs and
publications can be difficult for many members of the public to
understand and use. The government must support programs like the
Statistical Abstract that enhance the availability of information. <br> <br>Many developed countries throughout the world publish Statistical Abstracts.<br> It
is a standard government publication that is universally popular as a
tool to understand the state of a nation's social, political and
economic functioning. Terminating the Statistical Abstract program
would lower the United States international standing as free and open
society that values unfettered access to information.<br> <br>Even
in these trying economic times the Census Bureau must continue to
support the mission of the Department of Commerce to "Improve
understanding of the US economy, society and environment by providing
timely, relevant, trusted and accurate data, standards and services
enabling entities to make informed decisions." The Statistical Abstract
program clearly supports this goal by providing a valuable directory to
the wealth of statistical information produced by the US government and
private sources. We must not let short-sighted and ineffective
attempts at lowering the federal deficit stand in the way of upholding
the values upon which our nation was founded: a democratic society
supported by an informed public.<br><p class="ecxMsoNormal"> </p>Hailey Mooney<br>Data Services and Reference Librarian<br>Liaison to Human Development & Family Studies, Social Work, Sociology Michigan State University Libraries<br>100 Library<br>East Lansing, Michigan 48824-1048<br><a target="_blank">517-884-0857</a><br><a href="mailto:mooneyh@mail.lib.msu.edu">mooneyh@mail.lib.msu.edu</a><br><p class="ecxMsoNormal"> </p></div><br><br><br><br><br><br><hr id="ecxstopSpelling">Date: Thu, 17 Mar 2011 11:09:45 -0700<br>From: diedre08@gmail.com<br>To: libs-or@listsmart.osl.state.or.us<br>CC: publib@webjunction.org<br>Subject: [Libs-Or] Information and Action: Fwd: [alacoun] Fwd: Statistical Abstract - ALA action?<br><br>I am not sure what is going to happen with these statistical publications that we all use but I just wanted you to know that some action is probably coming from ALA and that you can also take some action. I think that at some point there may be something on capwiz, <a href="http://capwiz.com/ala/home/" target="_blank">http://capwiz.com/ala/home/</a>, though there isn't anything there yet.<br>
<br>
<div class="ecxgmail_quote">---------- Forwarded message ----------<br>From: <b class="ecxgmail_sendername">Pam Klipsch</b> <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:pklipsch@jeffcolib.org">pklipsch@jeffcolib.org</a>></span><br>Date: Thu, Mar 17, 2011 at 7:55 AM<br>
Subject: [alacoun] Fwd: Statistical Abstract - ALA action?<br><br>
<div>This question came to me from one of my librarians in Missouri. Can anyone provide additional details and tell us what action ALA is proposing?</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Thanks,</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Pam Klipsch<br><br></div>
<div class="ecxgmail_quote">---------- Forwarded message ----------<br>From: <b class="ecxgmail_sendername">Brekhus, Rachel L.</b> <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:BrekhusR@missouri.edu">BrekhusR@missouri.edu</a>></span><br>
Date: Thu, Mar 17, 2011 at 8:59 AM<br>Subject: Statistical Abstract - ALA action?<br>To: "<a href="mailto:pklipsch@jeffcolib.org">pklipsch@jeffcolib.org</a>" <<a href="mailto:pklipsch@jeffcolib.org">pklipsch@jeffcolib.org</a>><br>
Cc: "Concannon, Marie" <<a href="mailto:ConcannonM@missouri.edu">ConcannonM@missouri.edu</a>><br><br><br>
<div lang="EN-US">
<div>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal">Pam,</p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal">I am hearing from Marie Concannon, our Documents librarian and Missouri’s FDLP Regional director, that the office that creates the <i>Statistical Abstract of the United States</i> is being cut entirely from the budget, meaning that we will be losing the print and online versions of the <i>Statistical Abstract of the United States</i> as well as several other key statistical compendia.</p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal">As our ALA Councilor, do you know if the ALA is aware of this, and whether it plans to take any coordinated action (asking members to write their members of Congress, etc.) against the loss of a resource that for many of us, and our users, is an absolutely central reference source?</p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal">I’ll forward the email portions that Marie has forwarded to me below, in chronological order. </p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal">Thank you for looking into this.</p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal">Rachel Brekhus</p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal">Humanities Librarian, MU Libraries</p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal">……</p>
-----Original Message-----<br>From: Discussion of Government Document Issues [mailto:<a href="mailto:GOVDOC-L@lists.psu.edu">GOVDOC-L@lists.psu.edu</a>] On Behalf Of Lori Smith<br>Sent: Monday, March 14, 2011 1:23 PM<br>
To: <a href="mailto:GOVDOC-L@LISTS.PSU.EDU">GOVDOC-L@LISTS.PSU.EDU</a><br>Subject: Re: update on Census Bureau program cuts<br>
<br>
Dear Folks,<br>
<br>
I couldn't take the uncertainty anymore so I called the Census Bureau and spoke to Ian O'Brien who's the Chief of the Statistical Compendia Branch. He said that the 2012 budget doesn't include funding for his branch, which would mean the <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;">elimination of not only the Statistical Abstract, but all titles produced by that branch (State and Metropolitan Area Data Book, County and City Data Book, etc.). No new editions would be produced in print or online.</span><br>
<br>
I asked if there was any hope of changing this and he said that there's always a chance that Congress could be convinced to continue funding for the program. He said those who would like to save the Statistical Compendia Branch could write to their Senators and Representatives. I'm guessing this would go for the Federal Financial Statistics Program as well.<br>
<br>
So, start writing your letters and encourage others to do the same.<br>
<br>
<br>
*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=<br>
*Lori Smith<br>
*Government Documents Department Head<br>
*Sims Memorial Library<br>
*Southeastern Louisiana University<br>
*SLU 10896<br>
*Hammond, LA 70402<br>
*<a target="_blank"></a><a target="_blank"></a><a target="_blank">(985) 549-3966</a> <a href="mailto:LSMITH@SELU.EDU"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">LSMITH@SELU.EDU</span></a><br>
*<a href="http://www.selu.edu/library/directory/govdoc/index.html" target="_blank">http://www.selu.edu/library/directory/govdoc/index.html</a><br>
<br>
<br>
From: Discussion of Government Document Issues [<a href="mailto:GOVDOC-L@lists.psu.edu">GOVDOC-L@lists.psu.edu</a>] On Behalf Of Deborah Mongeau [<a href="mailto:djmongeau@GMAIL.COM">djmongeau@GMAIL.COM</a>]<br>
Sent: Tuesday, March 15, 2011 1:10 PM<br>
To: <a href="mailto:GOVDOC-L@LISTS.PSU.EDU">GOVDOC-L@LISTS.PSU.EDU</a><br>
Subject: Re: update on Census Bureau program cuts<br>
<br>
I've read this section of the justification document and it looks like it's a pretty ambitious program and maybe it's more appropriate for collecting and disseminating data going forward but what I'm getting out of this report is that Statistical Abstract, etc. will be abolished and THEN the Census Bureau will initiate a pilot project to see how this new method will work for the data. It would be nice to have the pilot project completed first and IF the data favors it, THEN pull the plug on Statistical Abstract. And of course, if a new program is being established, it will take some time to organize, hire and train new staff, etc. So we'll most likely have 1-2 years of no data being distributed. Plus, the Statistical Abstract was user friendly. Anybody and everybody could and did use it. From what I'm reading here, the data will be posted online in a more timely manner and probably be more accurate (if the data on this method bear this out) but it will probably be more difficult for the casual user to ferret it out. I could be wildly misinterpreting the report but I'm a little concerned that cart is being put before the horse.<br>
<br>
<br>
Debbie Mongeau<br>
<br>
<br>
Deborah Mongeau<br>
Government Publications Librarian<br>
University of Rhode Island Libraries<br>
15 Lippitt Road<br>
Kingston, RI 02881-2011<br>
<a target="_blank">tel:</a><a target="_blank"></a><a target="_blank"></a><a target="_blank">(401)874-4610</a><br>
e-mail: <a href="mailto:dmongeau@uri.edu">dmongeau@uri.edu</a> OR <a href="mailto:djmongeau@gmail.com">djmongeau@gmail.com</a><br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
On Tue, Mar 15, 2011 at 10:28 AM, Jeremy D. Darrington < <a href="mailto:jdarring@princeton.edu">jdarring@princeton.edu</a>> wrote:<br>
<br>
> The Department of Commerce's 2012 Congressional Budget Justification <br>
> document confirms that:<br>
> <a href="http://www.osec.doc.gov/bmi/budget/12CJ/Census_Bureau_FY_2012_Congressional_Submission.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.osec.doc.gov/bmi/budget/12CJ/Census_Bureau_FY_2012_Congressional_Submission.pdf</a>. <br>
> See pp. 82-92 of the PDF. This doesn't appear to be a cut purely for <br>
> lack of money, though; it appears that this is a strategic decision to <br>
> shift focus and funds to a new program to enhance the federal <br>
> statistical system's use of administrative records instead of direct collection from the population.<br>
> <br>
> Jeremy Darrington<br>
> Social Science Librarian for Politics<br>
> <a href="mailto:jdarring@princeton.edu">jdarring@princeton.edu</a><br>
> Princeton University<br>
<br>
From: Discussion of Government Document Issues [mailto:<a href="mailto:GOVDOC-L@lists.psu.edu">GOVDOC-L@lists.psu.edu</a>] On Behalf Of Cismowski, David<br>
Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 12:48 PM<br>
To: <a href="mailto:GOVDOC-L@LISTS.PSU.EDU">GOVDOC-L@LISTS.PSU.EDU</a><br>
Subject: Re: update on Census Bureau program cuts<br>
<br>
I have a visceral sense of loss upon learning that the Dept. of Commerce is evidently planning to stop publication of the Statistical Abstract in any format whatsoever--print or PDF.<br>
<br>
The value of the Statistical Abstract is not in the data contained in the publication. Most of those data can be discovered by laboriously combing through other publications and online resources.<br>
<br>
The value lies in the intellectual work expended to pre-coordinate those data so users don't have to laboriously search for disparate data elements, then manually work to cumulate them or write programs to cumulate them. For, as we all know, government agencies are great at publishing data; however, government agencies are not so good at organizing statistical data into useable chunks, thereby enabling easy longitudinal comparisons.<br>
<br>
I once assisted a Census researcher who had a massive number of census schedules spread out over an entire reading room table. All he wanted to do was find the decennial population change for a few major U.S.<br>
cities, over 50 years time. He thought he had to consult individual schedules for five separate decennial censuses to get the figures he needed, take handwritten notes, then compile those notes into a table.<br>
As I showed him, all he needed was two pages from the Statistical Abstract, pages that had already cumulated those figures into a handy table for him.<br>
<br>
In addition to making a great number of time-bound data comparisons easy, the Abstract serves as a basic starting point for a statistical research project because of its tables' cited references and the marvelous introductions to statistical topical areas that inform a beginning researcher of the scope and history of statistical data pertaining to those topical areas.<br>
<br>
A staple of newsrooms, TV and radio stations, business and corporate offices, independent researchers' libraries, and the libraries of information geeks across the country, the Statistical Abstract saves the United States economy millions of dollars of wasted time and productivity each year. But, of course, nobody can prove that, because nobody measures such things. It's admittedly just a belief that I feel is true.<br>
<br>
According to page 87 of Commerce's 2012 Congressional Budget Justification (thanks to Jeremy Darrington for providing the link), suspending publication of the Statistical Abstract will save the government a little bit less than $3 million. The assumption, I suppose, is that this will help reduce the deficit, thereby helping commerce and the economy. That also is a belief. One that I feel is false.<br>
<br>
David<br>
<br>
This message expresses my own opinions only and should not be construed as an official policy statement of the California State Library.<br>
<br>
~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br>
David Cismowski<br>
Bureau Chief, State Library Services<br>
California State Library<br>
900 N Street<br>
PO Box 942837<br>
Sacramento CA 94237-0001<br>
<a href="mailto:dcismowski@library.ca.gov">dcismowski@library.ca.gov</a><br>
<a target="_blank"></a><a target="_blank"></a><a target="_blank">916-651-6814</a><br>
<a target="_blank"></a><a target="_blank"></a><a target="_blank">916-214-3878</a> (cell)<br>
~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br>
<br>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal"> </p></div></div></div><br><br clear="all"><br>-- <br><em><font style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" color="#000099" face="garamond,serif" size="4"><font color="#000066">Pam Klipsch MLS</font><br></font></em>Director<br>
Jefferson County Library<br>5678 Highway PP<br>High Ridge MO 63049<br><a target="_blank"></a><a target="_blank">636-677-8689</a><br><br>Missouri Chapter Councilor 2011-2013<br>
</div><br><br clear="all"><br>-- <br>
<em><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 10pt;">Diedre Conkling</span></em><i><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 10pt;"><br><em><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">Lincoln County Library District</span></em><br>
<em><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">P.O. Box 2027</span></em><br><em><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">Newport, OR 97365</span></em><br><em><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">Phone & Fax: 541-265-3066</span></em><br>
<em><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">Work email</span></em></span></i><em><span style="font-style: normal; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 10pt;">: </span></em><a href="mailto:diedre@lincolncolibrarydist.org"><i><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 10pt;"><font color="#0000ff">diedre@lincolncolibrarydist.org</font></span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 10pt;"><br>
<em><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">Home email: </span></em></span></i><a href="mailto:diedre08@gmail.com"><em><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; color: blue; font-size: 10pt;">diedre08@gmail.com</span></em></a><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 10pt;"></span><br>
<br>
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