Highlights for May 9, 2002

I. Key Department/Bureau News

• Special Libraries Association to be Introduced to NBII: Jennifer Gaines from the USGS Center for Biological Informatics will participate in a panel at the Special Libraries Association annual conference in Los Angeles, California on Wednesday June 12, 2002 from 12-1:30 p.m. Panel members will discuss new initiatives for the development and application of metadata and terminology, how they support networks, and the continuing need for the human interface. Specific applications include IUFRO's Global Forest Information Service (GFIS), the BIOME project and other European networks; the USGS National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII); and Amazon. The SLA is an international association representing the interests of thousands of information professionals in sixty countries. Special librarians are information resource experts who collect, analyze, evaluate, package, and disseminate information to facilitate accurate decision-making in corporate, academic, and government settings. (Jennifer Gaines, Denver, 303/202-4260)

• USGS Scientist to Assist GIS Training for Managers: Karl Brown, from the Center for Biological Informatics, will present a 1.5 hour Global Positioning System briefing for the “GIS for Managers” course May 22 at the National Training Center on the Denver Federal Center. This course is open to Federal, academic, and international attendees. Mr. Brown’s briefing will cover GPS basics and new GPS technology developments including learning to identify and analyze feasibility and cost/benefits. (Karl Brown, Denver, 303/202-4240)

II. Management Reform
Nothing to report this week.

III. Notable Congressional Activity
Nothing to report this week.

III. Press/Media Inquiries
Nothing to report this week.

V. Key FOIA Requests
Nothing to report this week.