NationStates Jolt Archive

As I am a tiny delegate in a region with only one other nation.
OOC: My Best Friend
IC: I do not wish to leave this region to get more support. The Dominion of Dusome has sent me as the delegate to discuss the following proposal and if a nation with the required endorcements wishes to submit this (citing our nation as the co-writer) we would be honoured.

We are attempting to set up a library system within each nation to perserve the history of the nation and prevent governmental control of the selection of materials.

We also wish to ask fellow delegates to make suggestions or improvements to this act.

Below is the proposed draft.

In an effort to perserve each UN country's heritage this act mandates the following:

DEFINITIONS
Government: Any form of power of the nation with administrative control, legal control, legislative, or perceived control. Examples might include but is not exclusive are: a Royal Family, Prime Minister, President, Dictator, Committees, Senates, House of Commons or Municipal leaders.

Library: A collection of information resources.

1a) All libraries of each nation be handed to an internal public organization outside of government control. In addition all materials in these libraries will be recorded and catalogued and be available to the public. Individual records in the catalogue may not be amended unless there is a error or omission. None may be removed. This catalogue must be made public in any medium deemed reasonable. No cost other than materials costs must be associated with obtaining this catalogue by the the public.

1b) EXCEPTING specialized libraries for use only by specific organizations (for example companies, or government bodies) or private use.

2a) Materials in collections be reviewed by a non governmental governing body of public members of each nation on a schedule.

2b) The Schedule is to be created by the public organization for each nation. Although a recommendation of ONE (1) year is brought forward

3a) All materials of historical significance for the nation with respect to the current government of the nation, the most previous government, and all history of the current government's party/family/legacy and the same of the current dissention parties/families/legacy not to be removed from the libraries until it is deemed the material not to effect the historical accuracy (or inaccuracies) of the nation if removed.

3b) REASONING this will prevent the current government from erasing history of thier past or their dissentions past.

3c) EXEMPTING individual libraries from removing material which may be size limitations/technology/damaged/outdated/new editions or other necessary unforeseen issues.

3d) NOTWITHSTANDING that at least one copy of the material be available to the general populous of the nation.

4) UNDERSTANDING nations may attempt to add more material which sways history in their favour it is noted that excess of materials is not likely to cause significant issues.

5) Library Systems in nations must be open to the public for a reasonable time period during the year. It is generally recommeneded that 50% of all libraries be open between the daylight hours of Monday to Friday. Each nation is free to determine the hours of operation.

6a) The public body is to be changed every 1-5 years. Each nation is free to choose the term of 1 to 5 years. The body is choosen either by election, volunteerism, random sampling, drafting.

6b) The Current government and families of the government of each nation is specificially exempt from being on the public body and from choosing the body.

6c) EXEMPTING the choice if using a random method of choosing overseen by that nation's public body.

7) All nations are required to have at least one Library which is mandated under this act.

8a) All nations must ensure that any material that the public may want included into a library be registered and recorded.

8b) EXEMPTING materials which are deemed illegal under UN regulations.

9) Materials which may be copywritten are also to be included in the system. No waver of copyrights is given by inclusion with the exception of the Preservation of the material for archiving purposes between media types. Examples include stone to paper or paper to digital.

"Huh. First, I thought that this is bad from NatSov concerns, and was wanting to ask why you want to do this, but then I realize you are doing this to prevent censorship of books and stop dictators, in other words, you are doing this presically to infringe on NatSov.

And unlike other Public Library concerns, my god, PT nations can finally use the public libraries as well (with your reference to 'stone'). This does seem like an "Educational: Cultural Heritage" resolution, which may make me cringe, but alright.

Well, I like it. I really do. I'll need to check up on the history of prevous attempts to legaliste, and it does neeed simplifying. I can help with drafting, I guess, if you want. But, erm...

You need to first make your preamble bigger. The preamble is what you use to justify your rest of the resolution. You can move up Clause 3b up to the forefront, for instance. Just good fluffy statements stating why this is a good idea.

Then, I strongly suggest you might want to not micro-manage as much. Societies have differnet cultures than the Anglo-Saxon method. The reason I am interested is just so that libraries provide accurate information and so that censorship does not occur. This will be rather useful.

You could be better not dictating how the "internal public organization outside of government control" would be elected and such, and just come up with a fancy UN public commitee that has branches all over the UN memberstates and control all public libraries. You don't need to state about elections or micromanage or such, the UN commitees are known for being effiecnt and dealing with the problems themselves.

I'll talk to you later, hopefully. This is a really good idea, and I hope you follow through."---Dr. Bob

EDIT: I think I forgot something. Basically, it is a good thing to post the draft first, as you did. Once we get the draft nice and tight, then we can start to submit it and try to get it to quorom. To do so however, it is rather likely you need to TG all the regional delegates as soon as you submit in order to ensure that your proposal gets approved. It is a time consuming process, but rewarding.

So, don't worry right now about getting this quickly. Wait for other people to help.

Today's Catawaba Guest Ambassador was Mrs. Ashley Petry, Secretary of the Catawaban Office for Education. Mrs. Petry stood up from her chair daintly, putting a hand to her gray hair to ensure it was still place. She fixed the hand-knit shawl on her shoulders, and then snapped around around to shush Mr. Placeholder, who had been grumbling about old librarians turned secretaries taking his job. She turned back the the UN Floor and smiled sweetly, matronly.

She took her thin glasses which hung from a chain around her neck and placed them on her nose. She blinked and looked at the ambassador from Dusome. "That was very, very good proposal, sweetie. We should all give him a round of applause." She began clapping with her petite hands, and Diplomatic Aide Chruchill immediately joined in. She turned a dark scowl down at Mr. Placeholder who hadn't joined in. Churchill rolled his eyes and kicked out at Placeholder's chair. The interim ambassador jerked up in his chair and began clapping with gusto.

Oblivious of Churchill's actions, Secretary Petry was just happy to seek Mr. Placeholder stop being an apathetic sloucher. She turned back to address the proposal. "One point I might make is one of semantics. These are not public libraries that you are suggesting. I would hope all you good girls and boys here support literacy and read a book at least every week. But, Mister Ambassador, you are suggesting a 'government archive,' not a 'library.' In my old branch library in Graceland...well the Togovians did not believe in public access to government documents...'

She trailed off for a moment as shook her head. Togovians were a naughty, illiterate sort for all their vaunted sophistication. "However, since the Revolution, the ladies and I of the Catawaban Library Society made a campaign that the Miraade, a good, smart boy, was pleased to support. He placed copies of many Togovian-era documents in small archives in many branch libraries and established a larger archive in the Miraade's Repository, the great government archive in Graceland. As the Miraade and the government form our government, his orders place any non-classified documents there for public access."

Mrs. Petry drew herself up proudly. "We believe in a tranparency of government as you do, sweetie. And the Miraade has made stipulation that classified documents shall one day be turned over the Miraade's Repository when it is judged they are not long of a sensitive nature."

She glanced down at a sheet of paper. "My Miraade has written a note me on this subject. He has such poor penmanship..tsk. Oh well, we ladies of the Library Society do get used to that. Let's see...oh yes! He would like to ensure that governments are allowed to withold classified documents that would compromise national security. However he would like a stipulation put in that a firm schedule most be put in place for them to eventually become public. My, what a good boy...I'm his favorite librarian and Secretary for Education...I'm his only Secretary for Education..but still how nice of him."

She set down the Miraade's note, still smiling warmly. "I would also like to say that Doctor Bob...Robert or just Bob, sweetie? Anyhoo, Doctor Bob is very nice helpful boy, and I second most of the points he as put forward. I do question putting the United Nations in charge of government archives, sweetie. A United Nations Archive Inspector perhaps that regularly visits to ensure compliance. Other than you have done such a nice job helping that boy from Dusome."

She paused a moment and then perked up. "You deserve a nice Catawaban Clap as well!" She began clapping vehemently, which was still a quiet sound. Mr. Churchill added his clapping as vehemently as Mrs. Petry, which more than made up for her lack of sound. Mr. Placeholder just clapped lazily.

"An update on the situation: It seems that there is a current resolution establishing an Universal Library Coalition (http://www.safalra.com/other/nationstates/un-resolution-browser/?resolution=97), but it is only for the Internet, and it's optional to join. Other than that, the UN has no active law about a library, so your proposal is still legal.

I also do accept the idea of having classifed documents being kept out of the public records, but I am not so certain that they should be declassified. Our nation does have skeletons in our closet, you know. As for having the United Nations Archive Inspector come in to check the new internal commitees, it does come out to being equivilant to having the UN be in charge of government archives, as long as the commitees still get to be controlled by the Inspector, only less directly and maybe less effecitvely too. It really comes down to the proposal author (and legality rules).

Mrs. Ashley Petry...my name is Dr. Bob."
---Dr. Bob

Mrs. Petry nodded politely as Dr. Bob spoke. "A pity...Robert is such a nice name. Why my Robert, God rest his good soul, he..."

Mr. Churchill politely leaned forwards and whispered to the Secretary to return to the proposal. "Hmm? Yes? Oh, the proposal! Dear me, that is what I am here for. And I'm sure Doctor Bob, being a busy United Nations representative, could care less about my dear, belated Robert."

She cleared her throat daintly. "Catawaba has a firm belief in governmental transparency. We do not have skeletons in our closet, not yet...and I hope never, but we are not saying that the date for declosure must be a near thing. A period of one hundred years or more would ensure that no person or family would be affect by such secrets, but the future citizens would understand what deeds lead to their present to that they might better realize their history and perhaps use that as a guide for the years to come." Her eyes brightened as she stared off into that bright future. Churchill thought that was unlikely and perhaps such disclosure would give his children some kind of international mess he created. Mr. Placeholder thought Petry was a crazy, old bat.

She pulled herself back to the present. "I do see your point about the United Nations oversight of these 'committees.' Unfortunately, I do not have any enlightened advise to give, darlings. I do hope that that the nice boy from Dusome can come up with something. He seems so clever."

*An assistant to The Delegate writes on some paper with his thoughts. A moment later she passes the note to the delegate"

OOC: (I havent determined a name as this time for the character)

"Some really great comments have already been made but we also realize some concerns as well. The major issues so far has been classified materials, wording and oversight.

When we prepared this document classified information was not brought to our attention. In our nation we have not classified any documents but so far not a single person has requested to view anything that in hindsight might be best to be classified.

We fully understand the concerns broughtforth. As with making information public, by its nature a repository had to be set up at the same time. The wording suggests right now that everything is supposed to be archived. For many nations we understand that this is not an ideal situation. I do like the idea of having a delay. The delay should be long enough to satisfy nations. We agree that 100 years is more than adequite to prevent this information from harming any nation. Dr. Bob with a nation with skeletons do you feel this time period is effective for purposes of withholding those?

We will need to discuss the issue of committee more. The reason we brought forward the internal and not UN committee is that nations will have a better feel as to their own culture as opposed to an outside agency. This will have to be looked into further. There is definately two sides to this issue and both are valid. Something creative can be found.

Wording issues, style, and simplicity is something that can be addressed in this living document until it is finalized.

We must thank you for your initial comments both Mrs Petry and Dr. Bob. Also we received a nice Telegram from another nation and wish to thank them for it as well.

This is obviously something our nation wishes to tread lightly on to ensure that it will be worthy.

A period of one hundred years or more would ensure that no person or family would be affect by such secrets, but the future citizens would understand what deeds lead to their present to that they might better realize their history and perhaps use that as a guide for the years to come.

Not exactly. With lifespans expanding at a numerous rate, a person may, say, live to be 1000 years old, meaning, erm, those classifed documents would be released, harming him.

That being said, our scientists also indicate that the world will likely end in 2012, so, you know what, alright, we may accept it. Whatever acts as a good compromise. But know that more stronger NatSovists will scream, but they're going to scream bloody murder anyway when they see the UN seize control of their public libraries.

As for the whole internal commitee/UN commitee thing, here's a creative solution:

All libraries of each nation be handed to an internal public organization outside of government control and certified by the "UN Public Libraries Commitee" (UNPLC).

The certification allows for the UN to ensure that the organizations are, you know, not corrupted or under the thumb of the national governments, while at the same time protecting the culture of each indivudal nation. The name of the actual UN Commitee is up for revision. We can try other names such as the: "United Nations Archives Organization"...(or less likely, the UN Educational Advancement Fund, a currently existing commitee, but more focused on education, and is pretty natsov friendly).

We can also take some inspiration from this clause in the UN Labor Relations Act, allowing the organizations to govern themselves, after modifying it, of course:

7. AFFIRMS the right of Unions and their national and international organisations to be free to draw up their own constitutions and rules, organize their own administration and activities, and formulate their own programs.

While we have no objections to preventing distortions of information distribution by governments, we cannot help but think that this proposal is not the way to deal with the issue. From a purely practical point of view, requiring all non-specialist libraries to keep all materials relevant to politics and government forever seems to require implausible levels of storage for a nation such as ours where libraries are as common as shoe shops, even given the limited subject matter. The proposal as good as acknowledges this, and we suggest that it would be better to skip the impracticality and move straight to the solution of overall availability that it later admits to.

More seriously, we fear that the author's eagerness to avoid unreasonable governmental control causes him to veer too far in the opposite direction, and give full license instead to the much worse spectre of commercial control. To be blunt, we do not trust an information distribution system which is not controlled at some remove by the government. Certainly one subject to undue influence of individuals, whether through financing or direct board control, is inherently untrustworthy -- one need only consider the obvious biases of the commercial news media to see that.

In short, while we appreciate the author's intent, we fear this draft will not produce a desirable outcome.

Agregorn doesn't have a policy of banning books. Companies may choose to keep certain records private (excluding quarterly earnings as needed by stock holders which are subject to audit by a third party). However no opinions, fictional works, biographies, or any other text shall be banned by our nation. Companies may choose not to allow the spread of certain materials (such as a movie store may elect not to sell a certain movie).

However, we don't have libraries in the traditional sense of the word. All things cost money, and this cost is passed onto the consumer. With profitability, it is in the interest of the book store owner to maintain adequate facilities and a competitive price. Would this resolution infringe on our private libraries, despite the fact that they grant full access to anyone willing to pay?

Would this resolution infringe on our private libraries, despite the fact that they grant full access to anyone willing to pay?

No. A private library is a private library. They are exempt.

What this resolution will do is compel you to build one, just one, public library, and allow an organization (hopefully under the control of the UN) to have it. We believe in social welfare, and that having a public library where someone can access data easily without having to pay for it is a good place indeed.

For the most part, if people don't want to use a public library, and use your own private libraries, nothing stops you. Just that you should allow for at least the option for someone to do use the public library, maybe as a starting place to do research before paying money to the other places.

Like, it's building a water fountation that is free to use. Drinking bottled water may be better, but you still got access to clean, fresh, drinkable water. Something like that. Water helps the body, just like books help the mind.

Oh...please don't say you have water commericalized too?!
---Dr. Bob

We believe in social welfare, and that having a public library where someone can access data easily without having to pay for it is a good place indeed. As such how do you feel about having proper health care for your citizens.. As to establish a public library system will drain funds from such to move toward the public library system.


How many citizens with bullet wounds would be able to reach a library to get the right books to read so that they can remove their own bullet and thus survive? One must put in a proper place such information and then make sure those dedicated to serve are trained in what they do.. This means they are first to have the knowledge to do their duties. Thus funding public libraries may not be practical as what one wants in them all may not be right for a citizens to have available to them. Nor safe for the general public to view.

I also don't like anything welfare as it means to us a few support the many and we believe if you want something work for it don't expect it to be handed to you unless you have earned it. Try to take it and you become a criminal and we have prisons that you work or don't survive in them.

As such how do you feel about having proper health care for your citizens.. As to establish a public library system will drain funds from such to move toward the public library system.Hello Chicken Little, I didn't realize you were in the UN. The only way public library would drain money from a public health care system, is if you're dumb enough to take the money from the health care system in the first place. And I'm sure there are other places in your nation's budget that the money could be taken from.

Bob Flibble
UN Representative