WEBTech Notes Application Release
The U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) has relaunched WEBTech Notes on the FDLP Desktop. WEBTech Notes is designed to support the management of Federal depository library collections. Federal depository libraries can use WEBTech Notes to search, browse, and view updates to Superintendent of Documents classification numbers and List of Classes information.
Contrary to previous renditions of WEBTech Notes, the relaunched application features the ability for GPO staff to create records and make updates to those records in order to provide Federal depository libraries the ability to easily track changes to Federal publications. Records may be viewed online, but also exported in HTML or comma separated value (CSV) formats. An RSS feed is available to keep users automatically informed of additions and modifications.
In addition to the ability to edit WEBTech Notes records, the relaunched application features a browseable list of date descending records, which can be searched and resorted. Advanced browse and search features are also available for more refined results. The advanced search feature contains the same functionality as the previous version of WEBTech Notes. Advanced browse features include the ability to search for added and modified records within a date range or on/before/after a specific date.
As part of the dynamic updating of WEBTech Notes, GPO has ceased publication of Administrative Notes, Technical Supplement (ANTS). All future updates will be made to the Web-based system. A final print version of ANTS was released as Volume 15, no. 11-12, November – December 31, 2008.
Currently, WEBTech Notes includes data from 1991 through ANTS Volume 15, no. 11-12, November – December 31, 2008. A final batch add of records will occur in the near future that covers materials that were not published in the last ANTS release. Once GPO staff has been trained and are comfortable using the new system, updates will begin on a real-time basis.
A help page provides additional information on the various features of WEBTech Notes as well as search tips and strategies. For example:
To retrieve the most recent updates to the List of Classes for new item numbers, go to the advanced search page and use the "Browse Records by Category" feature. to select the "Updates to the list of classes, new item numbers (UN)" category and hit the "Submit" button. Results will be listed in date descending (newest to oldest) order.
Additional training resources are being developed by GPO for depository library staff.