It’s the three-week anniversary of Government Book Talk. To mark this auspicious occasion, I thought I’d share some comments we’ve received since Day One, as well as some excellent questions about Federal Government publications and this blog – and what I hope are some useful answers.
Some comments:
John Ahearn says: The site is excellent. I am pleased to the government being this responsive in its serving the public. Innovation is imperative if we are to keep up with the changes that we are all facing. Glad to see you take this step. Keep up the good work.
eric johnson says: I hope the freedom of information is never broken thank you GPO
Nydia Jacobs says: WOW! AWESOME! Welcome to 2010 and the future – GO GOV! Let God bless this site that we may truly become, “one nation under God”
Joe Harmon says: Neat blog.
Some questions and answers
Mimi asks: Will the blog posts keep coming to my email? I enjoy the blog, but don’t want to have to use a reader…I’d just like to keep reading the info via the email I already have to keep up with. Do I have to set something up to make sure the content will continue to be emailed to me? Thanks for help on this.
Govbooktalk answers: Good question! I have just added a blog subscription block so you can have posts emailed to you. Thanks for the suggestion.
chris decker asks: can i copy any work from g.p.o.?or do i need permission.
Govbooktalk answers: Here’s how GPO addresses this commonly asked question: The intent of Title 17, Section 105, United States Code, is to place in the public domain all works of the United States Government, defined as works “prepared by an officer or employee of the United States Government as part of that person’s official duties.”
This means that public documents can generally be reprinted without legal restriction. However, Government publications often contain certain copyright material which was used with permission of the copyright owner. Publication in a Government document does not authorize any use or appropriation of such copyright material without consent of the owner.
Since the Government Printing office serves as a printing and distribution agency for Government publications and has no jurisdiction over their content or subject matter, we suggest that you consult with the originating department or agency, or its successor, prior to the reprinting of any given publication.
Max Holland asks: Is there any reason why GPO publications are not sold in regular bookstores? A prohibition in law or regs?
Govbooktalk answers: Actually, commercial bookstores can sell Government publications. In the past, there have been some constraints that have limited us, but more recently we’ve been experimenting with more flexible terms and conditions. As a result, in a number of cases, at least one major bookstore chain has ordered books for resale. Let’s hope it’s a trend!
Barby asks: ARE WORDS AT BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE SUPPOSED TO READ “THEME CONTEMPT” INSTEAD OF “THEME CONTENT”?
Govbooktalk answers: Curiously enough, “Contempt” is actually the name of the template we’re using for the blog.
govbooktalk
Trudy Hawkins
Government Book Talk 
Fun blog. Are you no longer operating this website?
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Keep up the good work. Like somebody said eariler maybe we will be Under One Nation Under God. And In God We Trust. That would be awesome. I really enjoy getting these through my emails. I would like to pass this website along to my websites that I have. If that is alright with you all? Thank you very much in advance. Again, keep up the good work.
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Please feel free to let others know about us — we’re glad you enjoy the blog.
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