Legislative Research Librarians

Notable Documents Awards

SAN ANTONIO—Thirteen outstanding documents were honored by the National Conference of State Legislatures for their excellence in exploring topics of contemporary interest to legislators and staff.

For this award, a “document” is defined as a product of a federal, state or local government agency, or a foundation, consulting firm, quasi-public, private sector, or nonprofit organization. Formats include print, microfilm, CD-ROM, periodical/serial, or website.

Thirty-eight documents from 11 states were nominated for consideration, and 13 exceptional documents were selected as the 2011 Notable Documents. NCSL’s Legislative Research Librarian (LRL) staff section presented the awards at NCSL’s 37th annual Legislative Summit in San Antonio, Texas.

The 2011 Notable Documents are:

CITIZEN’S’ GUIDE
The Legislators of California
California State Senate

HISTORY OF LEGISLATION
Texas Water Law Timeline
Texas Legislative Reference Library

A History of Property Tax in Utah
Utah Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel

LEGISLATOR’S GUIDE
Guide to Local Redistricting for 2011
Virginia Division of Legislative Services

MODEL HISTORICAL WEBSITE
Texas Legislators: Past and Present
Texas Legislative Reference Library

PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS
Distribution and Sale of Liquor in Idaho
Idaho Office of Performance Evaluations

Governance of EMS Agencies in Idaho
Idaho Office of Performance Evaluations

Programs for Children, Youth and Families in Need, a Guiding Framework for Accountability and Funding: Final Report to the Joint Legislative Program Evaluation Oversight Committee
North Carolina General Assembly Program Evaluation Division

Statutory Changes Will Promote County Flexibility in Social Services Administration: Final Report to the Joint Legislative Program Evaluation Oversight Committee
North Carolina General Assembly Program Evaluation Division

PUBLIC POLICY—ENVIRONMENTAL
Future of Electric Vehicles in Michigan
Michigan Legislative Service Bureau, Research Services Division

Options to Reduce and Phase-out Priority Chemicals in Children’s Products and Promote Green Chemistry: Report to the Legislature
Minnesota Department of Health, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

PUBLIC POLICY—PUBLIC SAFETY
Statewide Ignition Interlock Pilot Project: Interim Report to the Minnesota Legislature
Minnesota Department of Public Safety

Combating DUIs, Preserving DNA, and Examining Emerging Law & Justice Issues
Montana Legislative Services Division

The Legislative Research Librarians staff section, one of NCSL's 13 professional staff organizations, was established to promote effective information retrieval techniques for legislative libraries; to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas relating to legislative information, operations and procedures in the states; and to enhance the professionalism of the members.

Composed primarily of librarians and information specialists in legislative agencies, the section sponsors an extensive schedule of programs at the NCSL Legislative Summit and annual legislative staff professional development seminar. Each of these meetings focuses on current developments in information management, information technology and legislative research.

Special thanks to this year's judges:

•    Sabah Eltareb, California State Library, Chair of the Notable Documents Committee
•    Carol Blackburn, Minnesota Legislative Reference Library
•    Ingrid Hernquist, New Jersey Legislative Services Library
•    Elizabeth Lincoln, Minnesota Legislative Reference Library

NCSL is a bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staffs of the states, commonwealths and territories. It provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues and is an effective and respected advocate for the interests of the states in the American federal system.