The commercial micro-publisher and the future

During the past decade, government document librarians have witnessed an incredible growth of publications in a micro-format produced by various commercial firms. These commercial firms have frequently been on the forefront of developing new and improved methods of bibliographic control, making available new products and services, and applying new information handling technologies for improved information access. Indeed, government document librarians would find many of their daily activities to be much more difficult or time-consuming without the products or services from the various commercial micro-publishers.

Despite the significant advances that have been made during the past decade in the area of micrographics, librarians may wish to consider possible scenarios for the future. What types of products and services are being considered by commercial micropublishers? How can bibliographic access to microformatted publications be improved? How can microformatted materials be better integrated into other information handling technologies? Can the commercial micro-publishers find common grounds with the Government Printing Office to cooperate for the improved overall access and control of microformatted government publications? These are but a few of the key issues that must be addressed.

To address these and other key issues related to the future for commercial micro-publishers, the column has enlisted the assistance of Mr. Stephen F. Johnson, Project Manager for Planning and Development at Information Handling Services, Englewood, Colorado. He is responsible for advanced product development, including technology research, evaluation, and development of both existing and emerging technologies applicable to the information handling process. The following comments that he has provided suggest a dynamic and encouraging future for microformatted materials and the column is most thankful to him for sharing his view of the future with us.