Information Policies: A Compilation of Position Statements, Principles, Statutes, and Other Pertinent Statements

Introduction

This compilation of information policies is an attempt to bring together in one convenient place the original text of official statements, principles, and laws related to information policy. The initial emphasis has been on policy statements developed by United States -based professional associations in the library and information service and technology community, supplemented by United States laws and other relevant materials.

The compilation was developed in response to an increasing need for librarians, information technologists, and administrators to address situations and questions where information policy issues are at stake, often leading to development of institutional and organizational policies related to such issues. This compilation is intended to assist those individuals by providing a resource which can be consulted to assist in formulating such policy. Specifically models of content and specific language are provided that can be incorporated at an institutional or organizational level. In some cases, an institution or organization might wish to set its policy by simply adopting or endorsing a policy that is contained in this compilation.

The development and availability of policies related to the political and social factors of information technology are as important in building an electronic information infrastructure as the technology itself. Especially in the networked information environment, where an individual's actions can have wide-ranging implications and consequences, such policies must be carefully developed before crisis situations occur. In order to establish thoughtful information-related policies, librarians, information technologists, and administrators need to have an understanding of the range of positions on the issues treated in this compilation. Persons from a wide variety of cultures, traditions, backgrounds, professions, and experience have addressed these issues from their own perspective.

The Coalition for Networked Information, which sponsored this compilation, has as its mission the creation of and access to information resources in networked environments in order to enrich scholarship and to enhance intellectual productivity. The Coalition for Networked Information accomplishes its mission by undertaking activities, on its own and in partnership with others, that formulate, promulgate, evaluate, and promote policies and protocols that enable powerful, flexible, and universal access to networked information resources.

One of the ways in which the Coalition for Networked Information works to bring about progress is to provide opportunities for senior administrators of libraries and senior administrators of information technologies in its member institutions and organizations to work together and in collaboration with network service providers, publishers, hardware and software producers, and others, in a common enterprise directed toward a shared future. All of these groups need to maintain a dialogue and often collaborate in the formulation of policies related to networked information.

The Coalition's Working Group on Legislation, Codes, Policies, and Practices spearheaded the effort to prepare this compilation. The group addresses issues related to clarifying rights, duties, and responsibilities in the networked information environment. It strives to carry out the Coalition strategy of representing the interests of authors, readers, users, and intermediaries who seek full and equitable participation in research and education communication processes that depend upon networked information. It also strives to promote norms of responsible and ethical behavior that ensure the greatest possible social utility of networked information.

The specific policies included in this compilation were solicited through letters to a variety of pertinent associations and agencies, requesting the most recent version of information-related policies for the purpose of including them. The points of view taken in the policies do not necessarily reflect positions of the Coalition for Networked Information. The contents of this compilation have been confirmed with sources, when necessary. The Coalition disclaims any errors which have been inadvertently made and welcomes their being brought to its attention.

The Coalition plans to update and enhance this compilation periodically and to distribute it via both electronic and print media. Users of this compilation are encouraged to send suggestions for additional materials to be included to the Coalition. The contents of this compilation are expected to be made available on the Coalition Internet Server sometime in the Fall of 1991. For further information, contact the Coalition office.

The Coalition for Networked Information and I, personally, thank all of the associations and organizations that cooperated with this effort. I would particularly like to thank Julia Hamm of the University of Delaware Library, for her work in preparing the policies for inclusion and for her editorial work on this compilation.

Susan Brynteson Director of Libraries, University of Delaware

Member, Steering Committee of the Coalition for Networked Information

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For further information contact:

   Coalition for Networked Information
   21 Dupont Circle, N.W.
   Suite 800
   Washington, D.C.  20036
     Voice:  (202) 296-5098
     Fax:    (202) 872-0884
  Internet: info@cni.org