What is GILS?

The Government Information Locator Service (GILS) is a decentralized collection of agency-based information locators and associated information services. GILS is intended to identify public information resources throughout the U.S. Federal Government, describe the information available in those resources, and provide assistance in obtaining the information. Further information about GILS, can be found in the reference documents listed below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF GILS REFERENCE DOCUMENTS:

FEDERAL GILS BACKGROUND

OMB Bulletin No. 95-01 was issued under the authority of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and became effective on Dec. 7, 1995. This bulletin describes OMB and agency responsibilities, and includes definitions, specifications, implementation schedules, and information contacts.

The National Archives and Records Administration issued guidance for Federal agencies concerning the data elements comprising GILS Core Records. The guidance is available electronically from the National Archives "Information for Archivist and Records Managers/GILS Guidance."

The National Institute of Standards and Technology has issued an Application Profile for the Government Information Locator Service. This document is available as a Federal Information Processing Standard Publication, FIPS Pub. 192 (see http://www.nist.gov/ for additional information).