TLA GODORT/MARCIVE "Knowledge is Power" Award
Cathy Nelson Hartman
A popular Government, without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy; or, perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance: And a people who mean to be their own Governours, must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives. -- James Madison
Introduction by TLA GODORT Chair, Valerie Glenn
The TLA GODORT/Marcive "Knowledge is Power" Award recognizes an "individual who is an outstanding Government Documents Librarian and/or an active supporter and advocate for the use of government information in education, research, and/or commerce." This year's award goes to Cathy Nelson Hartman, Head of the Government Documents Department at the University of North Texas.
It is so very appropriate that we are awarding this to Ms. Hartman today, as we embark on a discussion about access to government information. As one of her nomination letters stated:
"Cathy Nelson Hartman's professional career is dedicated to the fundamental principle that the public has the right to reliable and permanent public access to government information regardless of format."
During Ms. Hartman's tenure at the University of North Texas, she has pursued numerous opportunities to provide greater access to government information. Under her direction, UNT has become a partner with the U.S. Government Printing Office, first serving as a GPO Access Gateway, and currently as the home of the CyberCemetery, where the web sites of defunct government agencies go to rest.
A two-time TLA GODORT Chair, Ms. Hartman is working to preserve access to state publications as well. The UNT Libraries are also partners with the Texas Secretary of State to host back issues of the Texas Register, and with the Texas State Library as part of the Texas State Electronic Documents Depository Program. Her latest project, the Portal to Texas History, aims to provide access to lesser-known historic documents held in libraries and museums across the state.
I am proud to give this award to Cathy Nelson Hartman, a champion for open access to government information.
Valerie D. Glenn, Chair
Government Documents Round Table
Texas Library Association
