Free Government Information (FGI), a website co-founded in 2004 by our own James Jacobs, U.S. Federal Documents Librarian, has recently been chosen as the recipient of the prestigious 2015 ProQuest/GODORT/ALA "Documents to the People" Award, which is awarded to an individual, library, institution, or other non-commercial group that has most effectively encouraged the use of government documents in support of library service.
As the ALA announcement notes, "This award recognized the volunteers at Free Government Information who, for the past ten years, have dedicated themselves to advocating for permanent no-fee public access to government information. FGI epitomizes the spirit of the DttP Award by creating an open, public dialogue and building a community that extends beyond the government documents librarian community."
FGI's mission states:
"Free Government Information (FGI) is a place for initiating dialogue and building consensus among the various players (libraries, government agencies, non-profit organizations, researchers, journalists, etc.) who have a stake in the preservation of and perpetual free access to government information. FGI promotes free government information through collaboration, education, advocacy and research."
At the upcoming ALA Annual Conference in San Francisco, FGI will be recognized at the GODORT Awards Reception, which will be held Sunday, June 28th from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Cartoon Art Museum, 655 Mission Street, San Francisco.
Congratulations James and FGI!