Abstract
OMB Circular No. A–130, Management of Federal Information Resources, prescribes a policy framework for discharging OMB's functions under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980. It sets general policy guidelines for collecting, processing, and disseminating information by Federal agencies, and for managing Federal information systems and technology. The Circular introduces the distinction between access to information—providing to the public upon request the information to which it is entitled by law—and dissemination of information—actively distributing information irrespective of request or entitlement. New policies regarding information dissemination instruct agencies to disseminate such information products and services as are required by law or necessary for “the proper performance of agency functions”; to give adequate notice when initiating or terminating significant information products; to disseminate cost-effectively including imposing user charges where appropriate; and to disseminate with maximum feasible reliance on the private sector.
Rapid emergence of programs for electronic collection and dissemination of government information, popularly called “electronic filing”, has resulted in calls for government-wide policy guidance on this phenomenon. The management of Federal information is closely bound up with the management of information technology. For example, changes in technology do not change the basic policies governing rights of access to information, but they may change dramatically the ease of gaining access to the information and hence the usefulness of, public interest in, and public demand for the information. OMB generally views electronic collection and dissemination as holding potential for substantial efficiencies and savings to the government and the public, providing certain safeguards are met. Agencies must take care to safequard privacy and public access to government information, avoid giving private-sector contractors monopolistic control over dissemination of information, and ensure that the government is not competing unfairly in the information marketplace.