CILIP | Standing Committee on Official Publications

Standing Committee on Official Publications (SCOOP)

The aims of SCOOP

SCOOP Annual Report 2004 [RTF]

SCOOP aims to improve the access to, and availability of, UK official publications; to identify problems in the provision of access to UK official publications, in particular their bibliographic control and distribution; to make proposals for possible solutions to problems in the provision of access to UK official publications; to provide a mechanism for the exchange of views on matters of common interest to the library and information community concerning UK official publications; to provide a forum with The Stationery Office (TSO) for the constructive discussion of services provided for the library and information community; to take the necessary steps to keep the library and information profession informed of their deliberations

The Work of SCOOP

The work of SCOOP to achieve its aims is carried out in a variety of ways, particularly through correspondence and discussions between the officers and those responsible for the production, listing and dissemination of official publications. Several Directories have been published.

SCOOP may make representations to officials responsible for issue of print and electronic publications, discussions are held on the format and occasionally on the content of official publications.

Discussions with HMSO since the inception of the Standing Committee in 1971 have resulted in many changes and considerably enhanced services for librarians. SCOOP was very much involved in the 1996 privatisation of HMSO (now TSO). HMSO of course, continues to exist within the Cabinet Office. Regular contact is maintained with both TSO and HMSO who regularly consult with the Standing Committee on changes and developments and, through SCOOP, seek the views of the Library and Information community.

Updated: 31 October 2005

Information Services Group

Standing Committee on Official Publications (SCOOP)