I. Introductions
Steve Batt welcomed the group and thanked Sandra Peterson of Yale for hosting the meeting.

II. Deborah Mongeau, Government Publications Librarian, University of Rhode Island gave a demonstration of the National Trade Data Bank and Imports/Exports of Merchandise.  Some points made by Debbie:
 NTDB/StatUSA –
- Debbie allows the NTDB CD-ROMs in her library to circulate
- Database is strong in exports but not in imports
- Contains variety of material: calendars, newsletters, statistics, market reports
- Over 40 different agencies provide data
- Searches full text but does not highlight search terms
- Simple boolean searches on Internet, more complicated searches can be done on CD-ROM
- Files are called programs in NTDB.  Most of the programs have descriptions and some have technical notes for understanding the data.
- Information on how much your state is exporting is available only CD-ROM.
- Only a few archival files, most information is current.
- NTDB manual 1998 - C1.88:T76/Manual
Imports/Exports of Merchandise/USATrade
- www.usatrade.gov competes with NTDB.  It is aimed toward business.  Anyone can get a password.
- Can be searched by commodity number and by country
- Data appears in spreadsheet format

III. Beth Perry, Director, State Government Information Service, Rhode Island Office of Library & Information Services. Beth discussed “Find-It! Rhode Island: Rhode Island’s Government Information Locator Service. Some points made by Beth:
- The Office of Library and Information Services and the Secretary of State’s Office are cooperating to create a Rhode Island Government Information Locator Service.
- Their goal is to provide fast online access to RI government information and publications and to provide citizens and government users with a free and easy-to-use website.
- They would like to tie together a variety of information formats: web sites, state online resources, state printed documents and human expertise.
- Washington State’s GILS was chosen as the model.
- A website was created to explain the project and assist webmakers: www.gils.state.ri.us
- Controlled vocabulary and metatags are important components of GILS projects
- Initial training was given in use of metatags and subject headings for state’s webmakers
- 29 state department, agencies and commissions have put metatags on their pages
- Still to be done: more agencies need to put metatags on pages, more agencies need to create web pages.  Cities and towns need support to create web pages and insert metatags.

IV. Bette Siegel, Documents Librarian, State Library of Massachusetts: Notes from her Census 2000 publications consultation meeting in Washington
- Bette was one of four librarians invited to Washington to discuss census publications with staff from the Census and the GPO.
- Most information will be available through the American Factfinder
- Three paper products will be made available
- As a result of the meeting, PDF files will be reduced in size in order to download easier
- Bette is willing to share notes from the meeting.

V. Depository Library Council Spring Meeting, Newport, RI
- The Depository Library Council Meeting was held April 8-11, 2000 in Newport, Rhode Island.  Since many members of GPLNE were planning on attending, there was no GPLNE meeting at the beginning of the year.
- GPLNE donated $500 toward a reception at the U.S. Naval War College on April 10.  There were several other donors including the Consortium of Rhode Island Academic and Research Libraries.
- Steve Batt reported that GAO will no longer be available on microfiche, only online.
- He also reported that in the future Congressional bills may only be available online.  The issue went to Council. There is concern about authentication of bills online, but the matter may come down to whether there is enough funding.
- Bette Siegel noted that the Labor of Statistics speaker, Deborah P. Klein , was excellent.  Bette will send handouts from the session to anyone interested.  She also noted that the reception hosted by GPLNE was wonderful.

VI. Business Meeting

A. Minutes – Since minutes are no longer being printed and mailed, approval of the minutes was postponed until the fall meeting.  It was agreed that the minutes would be sent via email to all GPLNE members.
 B. Treasurers Report
  Checking Account - $ 881.44
  Savings Account -    $1005.11
  $500 was donated to the reception at the Naval War College in Newport during the
Depository Library Council Meeting.
C. New Officers
 Ralph Szymczak, Chair
 Linda Johnson, Chair Elect
 Pamela Hays, Treasurer
 Sonia Ensins, Secretary

VII. Steve Batt was thanked for his work as Chair
 
Meeting adjourned 12:00PM

Sonia Ensins, GPLNE Secretary

Attendance:
Susan Warthmar , Rhode Island State Library
Bill Thompson, University of Massachusetts
Bette L. Siegel , State Library of Massachusetts
June Cheng, University of New Haven
Betty Febo, Wellesley College
Jane Recchio , University of Connecticut
Steve Batt, University of Connecticut
Bob Kehner, MIT
Jim Walsh, CIS
Ralph Szymczak, Brandeis University
Julia Tryon, Providence College
Deborah Angelo, Providence College
Erhard Konerding, Wesleyan University
Nancy Pelus, Connecticut State Library
Pam Hays, Harvard University
Beth Perry, RI OLIS
Debbie Mongeau, University of Rhode Island
Bill Gamzon, Eastern Connecticut State University
Sandra Peterson, Yale University
Sonia Ensins, Boston College