The U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) has long been recognized as a pioneer among government agencies in streamlining its operations. Testifying before a House Appropriations SubCommittee, public printer Davita Vance-Cooks spoke in support of changing the name of the office to one more reflective of the agency’s commitment to a transformation “from a print-centric to a content-centric publishing operation.” In December, under a provision of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill, the familiar GPO initialism became the Government Publishing Office.
As such, GPO extended its digital innovations: the contents of FDSys (Federal Digital System) reached one million titles, with an average of 38 million document downloads per month and one billion retrievals overall. GPO also became the first legislative branch agency to transition its email delivery to cloud technology. For this innovation, CIO Chuck Riddle received the FedScoop Federal Leadership Award. GPO continues to be recognized as one of the most innovative federal agencies, as evidenced by the results of a recent customer satisfaction survey. Of approximately 500 federal customers asked, 91 percent were satisfied with GPO’s overall service and 90 percent did not believe they could match GPO’s prices.
Still, with fewer tax dollars invested in government information products, GPO focused last year on improvements outlined in its 2014–18 Strategic Plan. Its five percent staff reduction goal was met by attrition rather than layoffs, as staff in obsolete positions were offered voluntary contract buyouts or retraining opportunities.
Acknowledging the challenges
The uncertainties of the budgeting process affected executive branch agencies as well. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB), which oversees federal statistical gathering programs, reported that 61 percent of the statistics programs experienced budget cuts in FY13. As OMB director Sylvia M. Burwell wrote to congressional leaders, “Should sequestration continue in FY14, programs anticipate additional challenges [that] would likely affect agencies’ long-range plans for improving federal information quality and accessibility.”
The U.S. Census Bureau reduced permanent full-time staff from 6,505 in 2013 to 5,815 (a nine percent loss). Census programs affected by staff and funding cuts included the 2020 Decennial Census Research and Testing program, the American Community Survey Assessment program, and the Survey of Income and Program Participation. Release of the 2012 Economic Censuses, which contribute to the Bureau of Economic Analysis’s GDP estimates, was delayed.
Unfortunately, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) was forced to reduce the Measuring Green Jobs program, which collects data on wages, working conditions, and the geographic and industrial distribution of jobs in businesses that produce goods and services working to conserve natural resources or benefit the environment. The National Agricultural Statistics Program altered plans for the 2012 Census of Agriculture, and county profiles were not completed as intended. President Obama’s budget request for FY15 will attempt to restore some of these activities, but, in an era where conflicts between Congress and the administration are fought out on the budget stage, uncertainty remains.
The ALA/GODORT PANEL
Chair: Mark Anderson, Univ. of Northern Colorado
Federal Selector: Vicki L. Tate, Univ. of South Alabama
Federal Judge: Carole Spector, Univ. of San Francisco
Federal Judge: Bill Sleeman, U.S. Supreme Court Library
State/Local: Roberta Sittel
Selector: Univ. of North Texas
State/Local: Linda Johnson
Judge: Univ. of New Hampshire
State/Local: Suzanne Reinman
Judge: Oklahoma State Univ.
International: David N. Griffiths
Selector: Univ. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
International: Kris Kasianovitz
Judge: Stanford Univ. Lib.
International: Heidi Peters
Judge: Advanced Resource Technologies, Inc.
TO SUBMIT NOMINATIONS Please complete the online nomination form at ow.ly/M3Dld.
Titles considered for the next review should be published in 2015. The deadline for nominating a publication is January 8, 2016.
Confronting obstacles head-on
Though the total number of titles produced by government agencies has been steadily declining since 2008, the quality of the extant documents remains high. Nominees in all categories in this year’s Notable Documents list reflect growing public concern with environmental issues, such as chemical pollution and conservation of precious resources, the impact of human activities on the climate, and how the resulting climate change is affecting humans. Multiple titles among the international documents explore human rights issues on a global scale. Several federal publications are primary resources analyzing the conflict between Congress and the Obama administration on foreign policy. State and local entries continue to showcase parks and historical sites, or the local flora and fauna that enrich our lives. Consider these materials for all collections.
FEDERAL
Archaeology, Anthropology, and Interstellar Communication. Natl. Aeronautics & Space Administration, History Program Office. (NASA SP-4413). 2014. 300p. illus. SuDoc# NAS 1.21:2013-4413. GPO Stock# 033-000-01368-0. $47. (Also available from Amazon.com.) purl.fdlp.gov/GPO/gpo49354
Known in the scientific community as SETI (search for extraterrestrial intelligence), the quest for identifying and contacting sentient beings from other planets has long captivated the public’s imagination. While most research in extraterrestrial communication has been conducted by scholars in the physical sciences, this collection highlights studies from scholars in the social sciences and humanities. It is hoped that the interdisciplinary perspective will better prepare us for the exchange of information with as-yet-unknown civilizations. While this is serious scholarship, general readers will appreciate the accessible writing.
Climate Change Impacts in the United States, Highlights: U.S. National Climate Assessment. U.S. Global Change Research Program. 2014. 137p. illus. maps. SuDoc# PREX 30.2:IM 7/HIGH. (Available as print-on-demand through Amazon.com.) purl.fdlp.gov/GPO/gpo48681
For a concise overview of current and projected impacts of climate change, this publication will be a welcome resource. Clearly written and vividly illustrated, reflecting the major findings of the full report, it analyzes the effect of climate change on eight geographic regions of the United States, as well as on rural and coastal areas.
Cold War in Alaska: A Resource Guide for Teachers and Students. U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Natl. Park Svc., Alaska Regional Office. 2014. 25p. illus. SuDoc# I 29.9/2:W 19/2. ow.ly/LsgnS
This well-written and carefully presented guide serves both as an excellent instructional tool for educators and an informational resource for those who just want to know a little more about Alaska’s “front line” in the Cold War. With abundant graphics, solid citations, and a complete but not overwhelming bibliography.
Consumers’ Use of Nutrition Information When Eating Out. by Christian A. Gregory. U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Economic Research Svc. (Economic Information Bulletin, No. 127). 2014. online. SuDoc# A 93.73/2:127. (Available as print-on-demand through Amazon.com.) purl.fdlp.gov/GPO/gpo50893
The purpose of this study was to determine how and when nutrition information is used by individuals eating outside of the home or purchasing take-out. The agency’s goal was to establish a baseline by which to measure future behavior patterns as nutrition information becomes more prevalent. Results are presented in a set of charts, graphs, and interview questions.
The Cost of Delayi
ng Action To Stem Climate Change. Executive Office of the President, Council of Economic Advisors. 2014. online. SuDoc# PREX 6.2:C 61. (Available as print-on-demand through Amazon.com.) purl.fdlp.gov/GPO/gpo51127
Basing its analysis on numerous climate science reports, this book is a “call to arms” that looks into the economic costs associated with climate change. It asks whether prudent steps should be taken now to reduce the chances of the most severe consequences of climate change, or money saved in the short run by delaying the cost of implementing mitigation policies.
Data Brokers: A Call for Transparency and Accountability. Federal Trade Commission. 2014. online. SuDoc# FT 1.2:D 26. (Available as print-on-demand through Amazon.com.) purl.fdlp.gov/GPO/gpo49352
A “data broker” is a company that collects your personal information and resells or shares it with others. This report elucidates the practices of nine data brokers and evaluates their impact on consumers. The report finds that data brokering is pervasive in our economy, that consumers are largely unaware of these practices, and that while there are benefits to big data, there are also serious security, privacy, and profiling risks.
Investigative Report on the Terrorist Attacks on the U.S. Facilities in Benghazi, Libya, September 11–12, 2012. U.S. Congress, House, Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. 2014. online. ow.ly/LshaR
This is the definitive House statement of the event commonly known as “Benghazi.” After nearly two years of intensive investigation, gathering information through interviews, emails, intelligence assessments, and cables, the committee outlines an extensive time line documenting the events and arrives at four basic conclusions: the CIA ensured sufficient security for CIA facilities in Benghazi; there was no intelligence failure prior to the attack; a mixed group of individuals participated in the attacks; and the early intelligence assessment and the administration’s public narrative were not fully accurate.
Managing Change: Preservation and Rightsizing in America. U.S. Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. 2014. online. SuDoc# Y 3.H 62:2 P 92/5. purl.fdlp.gov/GPO/gpo50240
The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) reports on the potential use of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) to revitalize “legacy cities” in a way that takes the greatest advantage of existing historical structures and resources. Of particular concern is the tendency to demolish older buildings as part of revitalization efforts while overlooking the potential value of repurposing those structures. Successful efforts in select cities are presented to help buttress the ACHP’s goal of inspiring urban planners and developers to reconsider how they view the potential of historic buildings.
Pesticide Use in U.S. Agriculture: 21 Selected Crops, 1960–2008. by Jorge Fernandez-Cornejo. U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Economic Research Svc. 2014. online. SuDoc# A 93.73/2:124. (Available as print-on-demand through Amazon.com.) purl.fdlp.gov/GPO/gpo50890
Pesticides, including herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides, have contributed to substantial increases in crop yields over the past five decades. This report examines pesticide use in U.S. agriculture from 1960 to 2008, focusing on 21 crops that account for more than 70 percent of pesticide use and identifies the factors affecting these trends, with a detailed analysis for the five crops that represent the largest users of pesticides: corn, cotton, potatoes, soybeans, and wheat.
Report of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Committee Study of the Central Intelligence Agency’s Detention and Interrogation Program. U.S. Congress, Senate, Select Committee on Intelligence. 2014. 683p. SuDoc# Y 1.1/5:113-288. GPO Stock# 052-071-01571-0. $29. purl.fdlp.gov/GPO/gpo53958
After much anticipation, this declassified version of the executive summary that was originally submitted to the president earlier in 2014 was made available to the public at year’s end. While the full classified report is still restricted to members of the Senate and specified executive branch agencies, this version delves into the Senate’s investigation of the CIA’s Detention and Interrogation Program, which ended in 2006. It contains 20 specific findings regarding the use of enhanced interrogation techniques and the conditions of CIA detainees and takes to task the agency for its methods and its impediment of any oversight attempts. The conclusion is that the program’s interrogation techniques were ineffective at acquiring intelligence and ultimately damaged the country’s standing in the world.
Report of the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Review of the Terrorist Attacks on U.S. Facilities in Benghazi, Libya, September 11–12, 2012 together with Additional Views. U.S. Congress, Senate, Select Committee on Intelligence. 2014. 83p. illus. SuDoc# Y 1.1/5:113-134. purl.fdlp.gov/GPO/gpo46299
In the Senate version of the Benghazi investigation, the committee focused primarily on the analysis by and the actions of the intelligence community leading up to, during, and immediately following the attacks. The committee conducted hearings, briefings, and meetings with representatives from multiple agencies, reviewed thousands of intelligence reports and internal documents, and viewed surveillance videos. The results were 14 findings of fact, with corresponding recommendations. Majority and minority members of the committee each presented their own analysis. Most of the criticism by both groups focused on the “talking points” provided by the CIA and the failure to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Sea Level Rise and Coastal Flooding Impacts [V. 2.0]. U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Natl. Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Natl. Ocean Svc. 2014. online. coast.noaa.gov/digitalcoast/tools/slr
While designed to be used by coastal managers and scientists, this online mapping resource will be accessible to anyone interested in the coastal impacts of climate change. The interactive maps allow users to visualize the predicted effect of sea-level rise (from zero to six feet) on U.S. coastal areas, distribution of marshes and wetlands, socioeconomic vulnerability of people and businesses in coastal areas, and flood frequency. For an even more memorable image, click on one of the camera icons on the sea-level rise map to view a simulation of sea-level rise at that specific location.
A Story Written in the Rocks: The Geology of Voyageurs National Park. by Chris B. Hemstad. U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Natl. Park Svc. 2013. 108p. illus. maps. SuDoc# I 29.2:V 94/5.
Meant to be a resource to use while visiting Voyageurs National Park, MN, this title also serves as a beginning guide to geological formations and explains how the earth has changed over time in that area. Richly illustrated, with maps and colorful photos.
Tropical Nursery Manual: A Guide to Starting and Operating a Nursery for Native and Traditional Plants. U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Svc. 2014. 376p. illus. SuDoc# A 1.76:732. ow.ly/LYe3s
Native plant nurseries are an important means of facilitating restoration of species and ecosystems. This comprehensive guide from the U.S. Department of Agriculture provides everything one needs to know in order to open and operate a nursery for native and traditional plants in the tropics. Technical details are clearly explained for experts and nonexperts alike. Full color images and charts abound; for those interested in the underlying research, suggestions for additional reading follow each chapter.
A 20th-Century Portrait of Lake Clark, Alaska, 1900–2000. by John B. Branson. U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Natl. Park Svc., Lake Clark Natl. Park Preserve. 2014. 264p. illus. maps. videodisc. SuDoc# I 29.2:L 14 C/2.
The 20th-century relationship between the native Dena’ina population and European settlers on Lake Clark, AK, and their influence on each other during a century of technological and sociocultural change is portrayed through narration, using oral histories, letters, diaries, historic photographs, and maps. Home movies are available on a companion DVD.
U.S. Army Campaigns of the Civil War Series. U.S. Army, Ctr. for Military History. 2013–14. (Also available as print-on-demand through Amazon.com.)
The Atlanta and Savannah Campaigns, 1864. by J. Britt McCarley. 2014. 82p. illus. maps. 2SuDoc# D 114.2:C 49/2/ATLANTA. GPO Stock# 008-029-00582-4. $10. purl.fdlp.gov/GPO/gpo55167
Campaigns in Mississippi and Tennessee: February–December 1864. by Derek W. Risby. 2014. 67p. illus. maps. SuDoc# D 114.2:C 49/2/M 69 I. GPO Stock# 008-029-00580-8. $8. purl.fdlp.gov/GPO/gpo55664
The Civil War in the Western Theater, 1862. by Charles R. Bowery. 2014. 74p. illus. maps. SuDoc# D 114.2:C 49/2/WESTER. GPO Stock# 008-029-00567-1. $10. purl.fdlp.gov/GPO/gpo49568
The Overland Campaign: 4 May–15 June 1864. by David W. Hogan, Jr. 2014. 74p. illus. col. maps. SuDoc# D 114.2:C 49/2/OVERLA. GPO Stock# 008-029-00571-9. $10. purl.fdlp.gov/GPO/gpo50645
The Regular Army Before the Civil War: 1845–1860. by Clayton R. Newell. 2014. 55p. illus. maps. SuDoc# D 114.2:C 49/2/REGULAR. GPO Stock# 008-029-00539-5. $7. purl.fdlp.gov/GPO/gpo54672
The Shenandoah Valley Campaign: March–November 1863. by Raymond K. Bluhm Jr. 2014. 55p. illus. maps. SuDoc# D 114.2:C 49/2/SHENAN. GPO Stock# 008-029-00570-1. $7. purl.fdlp.gov/GPO/gpo52118
To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War, the U.S. Army’s Center for Military History has created a series of vignettes that highlight a different period of the war. These six booklets were published in 2014 and present an overview of the various battles, outlining a general synopsis of the events and putting them in perspective within their historical context. Ten titles have been completed so far, all enhanced with colorful maps of the campaigns and portraits of significant figures.
United States–Mexican Borderlands: Facing Tomorrow’s Challenges Through USGS Science. ed. by Randall G. Updike & others. U.S. Dept. of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey. (USGS Circular, No. 1380). 2013. online. SuDoc # I 19.4/2:1380. purl.fdlp.gov/GPO/gpo37665
This visually stunning circular is intended to provide an overview of what the USGS considers the current and future challenges along the U.S.-Mexico border region known as the “borderlands.” It covers seven challenge themes seen as crucial to the future of the area: ecological resources, water availability and quality, environment and human health, people in the borderlands, energy and mineral resources, natural hazards, and border security and environmental protection. Colorful maps and striking photos enhance the imagery and captivate the reader.
STATE & LOCAL
ARIZONA
Evaluation of Measures To Promote Desert Bighorn Sheep Highway Permeability: U.S. Route 93. SPR 677. Arizona Game & Fish Dept. Research Branch. Arizona Dept. of Transportation Research Ctr. 2014. online. OCLC# 869893725. Free. ow.ly/LylyJ
A two-year study tracked the movement of bighorn sheep on an 18-mile stretch of highway between Phoenix and Las Vegas, congressionally designated as part of the CANAMEX (Canada to Mexico) Trade Corridor. Its goal was to assess the potential effect of a proposal to widen this part of the highway, where 30 percent of the bighorn population lives. With GPS-enabled collars on the sheep, the authors examined the relationships between the sheep and their environment and the traffic. Research will continue to gauge the efficacy of measures taken during construction to preserve the habitat.
CALIFORNIA
California Coastal Access Guide. 7th ed. California Coastal Commission, dist. by Univ. of California. 2014. 416p. illus. maps. OCLC# 886107724. ISBN 9780520278172. $34.95. ow.ly/LI8yV
Now in its seventh edition, this expanded version of the California Coastal Access Guide offers information on 1,150 public access points in 15 counties along 1,271 miles of California coastline. Up-to-date maps and data make this an invaluable travel guide for beachgoers, hikers, campers, swimmers, divers, surfers, anglers, and boaters, detailing where to go, how to get there, and what facilities and environment to expect.
Governing California Through Climate Change: Report. Little Hoover Commission. (Commission on California State Government Organization & Economy, No. 221). 2014. 98p. illus. OCLC# 884740245. Free. www.lhc.ca.gov/studies/221/Report221.pdf
The Little Hoover Commission is an independent oversight committee that promotes economy, efficiency, and improved services in the transaction of public business in the various departments of the executive branch of California government. The commission addresses many of the challenges state and local government deal with in the midst of climate change, including rising oceans and disappearing coastline, drought, and temperature fluctuations, as well as recommendations for mitigating/responding to these changes.
History of California State Parks: A Gift from the People to the People. California Dept. of Parks & Recreation. 2014. online. OCLC# 891379922. Free. ow.ly/LYi0u
This eight-page brochure offers a look at the history of California’s State Parks System. Beginning in the mid-1800s, early California settlers recognized the importance of preserving the California redwoods. This document illustrates the role parks play in historic preservation and natural resource management and introduces significant individuals in the process. It evidences the diversity of California parks, including underwater parks and off-highway vehicle parks.
The Potential Impact of Voter Identification Laws on Transgender Voters in the 2014 General Election. Williams Inst., UCLA Sch. of Law. 2014. online. OCLC# 890605674. Free. ow.ly/Lymed
Transgender individuals live under a gender different from that assigned at birth. Having an ID card that reflects a gender different from what a person outwardly reflects can cause a variety of issues when conducting business, including at the voting booth. Currently 34 states have voter identification laws on the books, some requiring a state-issued ID be shown at the polls. This paper provides statistics and impacts on voting for transgender populations nationwide.
COLORADO
Colorado Emerald Ash Borer First Responder Manual. Colorado State Univ. Extension; Colorado State Forest Svc.; Colorado. Dept. of Agriculture. (Quick Guide Series). 2014. online. OCLC# 881390915. Free. ow.ly/LI8GD
The emerald ash borer is a nonnative, invasive species of insect that destroys ash trees. This manual is intended to assist those involved in education, outreach, detection, and management efforts in Colorado. It offers photos and illustrations to identify ash trees, the borer, and related damage as well as FAQs for those who have identified or suspect the presence of this destructive pest.
NEW YORK
Black Bear Management Plan for New York State, 2014–2024. by Larry Bifaro & others. New York Div. of Fish, Wildlife & Marine Resources, Bureau of Wildlife. 2014. online. OCLC# 895193582. Free. www.dec.ny.gov/docs/wildlife_pdf/bearplan2014.pdf
In an attempt to control the black bear population at safe numbers, free from the fear of extinction and safe for humans who choose to live or recreate within black bear habitats, the plan identifies a variety of strategies, some already occurring and others to be more fully developed during the plan’s ten-year period. The document offers a history of the state’s black bear populations; effects of climate change on their habitats; and five goals for managing the population, its effect on property, and interactions with humans.
Community Portal. New York City Dept. of City Planning. online. 2014. Free. www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/html/neigh_info/nhmap.shtml
A wealth of information about the five boroughs that make up New York City. Site visitors will find facts, figures, and data about the city’s diverse neighborhoods and populations, the various governing bodies, and city planning projects. Updated profiles for the various districts are available.
NORTH CAROLINA
Native Americans in Early North Carolina: A Documentary History. ed. by Dennis L. Isenbarger. North Carolina Dept. of Cultural Resources. 2014. 362. ISBN 9780865264649. OCLC# 868992045. $20. ow.ly/LYkDz
Intended to complement an 1886 series documenting early life in North Carolina, this book identifies major themes of early colonial life—folkways, religion, trade, land, war, colonial interaction, and reservations. Diaries, correspondence, government documents, and other primary resources offer firsthand accounts of what life was like for colonists and their relations with the native populations.
NORTH DAKOTA
A Guide to North Dakota Noxious and Troublesome Weeds. by Rodney Lym. North Dakota State Univ., ND Agricultural Experiment Station, NDSU Extension Svc. (Circular W, 1691). 2014. 68p. illus. OCLC# 875012134. Free. ow.ly/LI8UR
This pictorial guide provides information about common noxious and troublesome weeds prevalent in North Dakota, including plant profiles with images for easy identification and a description of germination and growth patterns. Symbols indicate control methods, harmfulness, and designations.
Liberty Memorial Bridge: Proudly Honoring Veterans Since World War I. by Elizabeth James & others. North Dakota Dept. of Transportation. 2013. 1 DVD. color. 27 min. w/booklet. OCLC# 885265332. Free. dot@nd.gov
Through vintage photographs, moving images, and narration, this DVD chronicles the story of the bridge, originally built in 1919, that spans the Missouri River and memorializes the end of World War I.
Sundogs and Sunflowers. by Timothy J. Kloberdanz & others. North Dakota Council on the Arts. 2013. 1 CD. 54 min. ISBN 9780911205152. OCLC# 870153471. $14.84. www.prairiepublic.org/shop
This CD release of a 2011 notable document offers spoken-word stories from the original text. The musical accompaniment gives life to the folklore representing the peoples and cultures of North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wyoming, Montana, and the Canadian provinces.
WASHINGTON
Aquatic Lands Habitat Conservation Plan—DRAFT. Washington Dept. of Natural Resources; Washington Aquatic Resources Div.; U.S. Natl. Marine Fisheries Svc.; U.S. Fish & Wildlife Svc.; Washington State Library Electronic State Pubns. 2014. online. OCLC# 890655294. Free. ow.ly/Lyp6m
Launched and opened for comment in September 2014, this draft outlines a 50-year plan to protect at-risk native aquatic species on 2.6 million acres of state-owned lands under marine and fresh waters of the state. It outlines management decisions, including authorizing public and private uses of state-owned aquatic lands in the Puget Sound the Strait of Juan de Fuca and along the Washington coastline. The next step is to use the public comments and feedback to develop a 50-year-plus strategy.
Beneficial Insects, Spiders, and Mites in Your Garden: Who They Are and How To Get Them To Stay. by Charles Brun. Washington State Univ. Extension. (Extension Mimeo, EM067E). 2014. online. OCLC# 870443093. Free. ow.ly/LYn90
Using charts and imagery, this guide helps gardeners identify the insects, spiders, and mites that help gardens and plants to flourish and the benefits these critters provide. Photos help to identify beneficial garden inhabitants, while brief texts describe the role of each. With tips for attracting these insects and info on standard garden foes.
WISCONSIN
Wisconsin Farm to School Tool Kits. Ctr. for Integrated Agricultural Systems, Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison. 2014. online. Free. www.cias.wisc.edu/toolkits
Designed for teachers and administrators, these interactive toolkits encourage healthy lifestyles and promote the local economy through programs that teach and encourage students and their families to make healthier choices by purchasing locally sourced farm products. Lessons include understanding quantities and prices, cooking healthy meals, and developing a campus-sponsored garden.
The Parents’ Supervised Driving Program: A Requirement for Teen Licensing. Travelers Marketing; Safe Roads Alliance; West Bend Mutual Insurance Co.; Wisconsin Div. of Motor Vehicles. 2014. online. OCLC# 890722987. Free. www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/teens/psdp.htm
Research shows that having parents involved in a teen’s driver education reduces crashes and distracted driving. This series is designed to improve teen driver safety through tools for parents and guardians teaching requisite driving skills. Each lesson concentrates on a particular skill and builds upon the previous lessons. The site also offers facts and figures, driving logs, and answers to frequently asked questions.
WYOMING
Plants with Altitude: Regionally Native Plants for Wyoming Gardens. by Amy Fluet & others. Univ. of Wyoming Extension. (Bulletin B-1255). 2014. 66p. illus. OCLC# 879335519. $8. ow.ly/LypL4
Intended to increase the understanding, knowledge, and use of native Wyoming plants among recreational gardeners, this guide opens with information about the importance to the ecosystem of gardening with native plants and offers tips to get started. Basic gardening guidance is followed by a list of Wyoming native plants, with pictures and details on how and when to plant, sun exposure, water needs, and whether a plant is safe for wildlife. The book includes other states where these plants can be found.
INTERNATIONAL
Assessing Global Land Use: Balancing Consumption with Sustainable Supply. UN Environment Programme, dist. by Renouf & UN Pubns. 131p. illus. maps. bibliog. ISBN 9789280733303. UN sales # E.15.III.D.15. pap. $55.
Cropland is expanding worldwide, while forests, savannahs, and grasslands are shrinking. The authors examine the effects of this trend and the factors driving it and answer two critical questions: How much of the global cropland supply do particular countries use? Is the expected expansion of cropland sustainable? Superb illustrations and maps enhance the discussion of a complex issue.
The Environmental Crime Crisis: Threats to Sustainable Development from Illegal Exploitation and Trade in Wildlife and Forest Resources; A Rapid Response Assessment. UN Environment Programme & GRID-Arendal, dist. by Renouf & UN Pubns. 106p. illus. maps. bibliog. ISBN 9788277011325. UN sales # E.15.III.D.14. pap. $45.
This concise and often poignant introduction to illegal wildlife, forest, and mineral exploitation, mainly in sub-Saharan Africa, examines the effects of these activities—including the loss to local and national economies of natural resources worth at least $70 billion annually—and shows that efforts to curb environmental crimes have often worked. Photos and illustrations make it suitable for high school and college students, policymakers, and anyone else interested in global environmental conservation.
Global Environment Outlook: Small Island Developing States. UN Environment Programme. 52p. illus. maps. bibliog. ISBN 9789280734058. Free.
An overview of the climatic, environmental, and socioeconomic trends facing small island developing states and their prospects for achieving sustainable development. Loaded with attractive illustrations and maps and intended mainly for policymakers, the text will be perfectly clear to general readers.
Handbook on Women and Imprisonment. 2d ed. UN Office on Drugs & Crime, dist. by Bernan, Renouf & UN Pubns. 151p. bibliog. ISBN 9789211303261. Sales # E.14.IV.3. pap. $48.
This title may be especially important to readers in the United States, where well over 100,000 women are incarcerated in state and federal prisons. The authors highlight the special needs of female inmates, show how prisons can be sensitive to women, and identify policies that reduce female prison populations. The little-known provisions of the UN Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners, which serve as the foundation of this title, are highlighted throughout.
Holocaust Education in a Global Context. ed. by Karel Fracapane & Matthias Hass. UNESCO, dist. by Bernan & Renouf. 192p. bibliog. ISBN 9789231000423. pap. $36 (Renouf); $40 (Bernan).
Though the Holocaust ended 70 years ago, several hundred books about it are published in English alone each year, and a growing number of instructors in countries that have no direct historical connection to this crime are using it to explore a wide range of issues. This volume contains some of the most outstanding presentations made at a 2012 seminar on Holocaust education, at which contributors discussed practices and related experiences. Though the primary audience is educators, general readers will find these essays enlightening.
How Was Life? Global Well-Being Since 1820. ed. by Jan Luiten van Zanden & others. OECD, dist. by Bernan, OECD Dist. Ctr. & Renouf. 269p. illus. maps. bibliog. ISBN 9789264214064. pap. $73.
For the first time, a team of economic historians assess the evolution of well-being since 1820 in the world as a whole, eight regions, and a large number of countries. Each of the book’s ten essays focuses on a nonmaterial dimension of well-being, such as human height or personal security. Covering statistical indicators, the text becomes technical at times, but a wide audience will comprehend the analysis and conclusions.
Integrating Human Rights and Gender Equality in Evaluations: Guidance Document. UN Evaluation Group, dist. by Renouf & UN Pubns. 147p. bibliog. ISBN 9789211263855. UN Sales # E.14.III.B.18. pap. $20.
International organizations have long recognized that a development project may have positive outcomes but also diminish gender equality and the enjoyment of human rights. This manual shows readers how to assess the impact on the status of women and girls who are part of a project’s target population. Key texts, best practices, checklists, and tips make this work appropriate for general audiences and useful for professional evaluators.
Making Mental Health Count: The Social and Economic Costs of Neglecting Mental Health Care. by Emily Hewlett & Valerie Moran. OECD, dist. by Renouf & OECD Dist. Ctr. 242p. illus. bibliog. ISBN 9789264208438. pap. $105.
The authors examine mental health care in 37 countries and identify barriers to treating the mentally ill—including those with relatively mild mental illness—more effectively. They demonstrate, for example, that the absence of data on treatment quality and results in almost every country makes the assessment of mental health care systems nearly impossible. For a wide readership.
Teaching and Learning: Achieving Quality for All. EFA Global Monitoring Report 2013/4.
UNESCO, dist. by Bernan & Renouf. 481p. illus. bibliog. ISBN 9789231042553. pap. $43.50 (Renouf); $45 (Bernan).
In 2000, 164 governments pledged to achieve six goals—improved childhood health care and nutrition, universal primary education, better skill acquisition among teens and adults, gender parity in education, better instruction, and adult literacy—by 2015. Some countries have progressed, but many have not. The authors examine the causes of these failures and suggest how governments can fulfill their promises before another 15 years pass.
The Value of Forests: Payments for Ecosystem Services in a Green Economy. United Nations. (Geneva Timber & Forest Study Papers, No. 34). dist. by Bernan, Renouf, & UN Pubns. 83p. illus. bibliog. ISBN 9789211170719. UN sales # E.14.II.E.2. $28.
Increasingly, beneficiaries of ecosystem services are acknowledging their value and compensating providers. For example, the Coca-Cola bottling plant near the Tagua Reservoir in Portugal pays owners of the land around the reservoir for keeping their forests in good condition. This arrangement ensures the plant’s long-term access to clean water and also gives landowners an incentive to preserve their woodlands.
Violence Against Women: An EU-Wide Survey; Main Results. European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights. 193p. illus. maps. ISBN 9789292393427. PDF. Free.
It is widely known that statistics on violence against women do not reveal its full extent. Based on interviews of 42,000 women, this work fills this void in the 28 European Union member states. It reveals the prevalence, forms (physical, sexual, and psychological), and consequences of violent crimes and other types of abuse committed against women and girls. With clear text and a skillful presentation of statistics.
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Mark Anderson (mark.anderson@unco.edu) is Chair of the Notable Documents Panel of the American Library Association’s Government Document Roundtable (GODORT) and Reference/Research Librarian for Government Information, History and Geography, James A. Michener Library, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley