Online Government

Instructor: George Carlson

The Online Government

Information produced by, for, and about government agencies can be difficult to locate, even online.

• Are you and your users frustrated trying to locate government information that you know must exist somewhere?
• Have you begun to wonder whether standard Web crawlers and search engines are effective tools for finding government information?
• Did you know that several of the most frequently used Web search tools are restricted from some government sites?
• Could you use some good bookmarks and meta-sites to get you started?

This workshop will introduce you to fundamental sources of online information from all levels of government as well as the search facilities most likely to be helpful in locating specialized information. This course is intended to decrease your anxiety, increase your success, and impress your users!

Workshop Description: This all-day workshop will provide hands-on experience in retrieving information from a variety of government sources, using 'real-life' scenarios and problems. We will look at selected search engines and meta-sites and analyze their usefulness for finding government information. This course will also provide help with identifying the large body of government material that is NOT online. Students will learn practical search tips and tricks that can be applied immediately.

Pre-workshop assignment: Government information is much easier to find if you are familiar with the basic structure and processes of the federal, state and local government. To refresh your understanding of the basics, please review http://bensguide.gpo.gov/9-12/index.html - especially the "Branches of government" and "How laws are made" sections - before coming to this class.

Topics to be covered:

• The Federal Webscape
  • It helps to know your civics
  • What's online and what's not
  • Which search engines should we try?
• The Federal Sources
  • Laws and regulations
  • Census and other statistical data
• State Government Sources
  • Legislation and regulations
  • State agencies and services
  • Election results
• Local Information
  • Municipal codes
  • County and regional sources
  • Gateways and meta-sites
• Other Cool Stuff for All Ages

Who Should Attend: Anyone in a California library who provides reference assistance, or who must consult government information in order to conduct library needs assessments, create library plans, prepare grant proposals, etc. Note: This course is not for government documents specialists, but for the generalist.

Prerequisites: This course requires that students be comfortable with basic computer skills, including using a mouse, navigating the Web, and basic keyboarding. Previous experience with common Web search engines and portals will be very helpful.

Please Note: There is a $75.00 fee for this workshop. Infopeople does not provide parking passes, lunch or refreshments.

Check-in: 8:30 to 9 AM Instruction: 9 AM to 4:30 PM