GODORT (Government Documents Round Table)

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The mission of the Government Documents Round Table (GODORT) is to (1) To provide a forum for discussion of problems, concerns, and for exchange of ideas by librarians working with government documents; (2) to provide a force for initiating and supporting programs to increase availability, use, and bibliographic control of documents; (3) to increase communication between documents librarians and other librarians; (4) to contribute to the extension and improvement of education and training of documents librarians.

Learn more about GODORT on the ALA website.

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Register Now! Sunshine Week Webinar on March 19th

  • 1.  Register Now! Sunshine Week Webinar on March 19th

    Posted Mar 06, 2025 02:32 PM
    Edited by Kate Tallman Mar 06, 2025 02:35 PM

    Hello GODORT!

    Register today for the next Help! I'm an Accidental Government Information Librarian webinar, which will be held on March 19, 2025, 12-1pm EST. This webinar, in celebration of Sunshine Week, was organized by the GODORT Education Committee. 

    Register here

    The Right to Know: Protecting and Expanding Access to Public Records

    In a democratic society where access to government information is vital for informed civic engagement, barriers to transparency remain a persistent challenge. This panel, featuring Dr. David Cuillier from the Brechner Center for Freedom of Information, Dr. Frank LoMonte, a legal expert, and Dr. Kenneth Evans from Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy, will explore the evolving landscape of government transparency and the fundamental role that information access plays in maintaining an accountable democracy. The discussion will address key topics such as the legal framework behind freedom of information, the obstacles faced by journalists, librarians, researchers, and citizens in securing public records, and the implications of government secrecy on public trust.

    Panelists:

    • David Cuillier, Ph.D., is director of the Joseph L. Brechner Freedom of Information Project, and co-director of the Brechner Center for Advancement of the First Amendment, at the University of Florida.  Before joining the University of Florida in July 2023, Dr. Cuillier taught access to public records, data journalism, and other courses at the University of Arizona School of Journalism for 17 years, where he also served as director of the school and director of graduate studies.

    • Dr. Kenneth Evans: Ph.D., is a scholar in science and technology policy at Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy and assistant director for innovation policy at Rice University's Office of Innovation. He serves as the program manager and co-founder of the White House Scientists Archive, a digital heritage collection housed in Rice University's Woodson Research Center Special Collections and Archives, which preserves materials related to U.S. presidential science advisors.

    • Frank D. LoMonte J.D. is an adjunct instructor at the University of Georgia School of Law and serves as legal counsel at the Cable News Network, where he advises and trains the global media company's journalists on a variety of legal compliance issues, emerging legal risk areas and best legal practices for their careers. He also reviews sensitive material prior to publication.

    As always, this presentation will be recorded. Check out our past webinars on YouTube: https:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6CfualeU8N77us06prY10Q. Thanks to the GODORT Education Committee for coordinating this webinar! Please contact me at kwtallm@ilstu.edu to propose a webinar for the 2025 season and stay tuned for the registration link

    Kate T.


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    Kate Tallman
    Head, Library Liaison Services
    Illinois State University
    Milner Library
    She/Her/Hers
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