Blue Book online won't supplant text version.

Byline: David Steves The Register-Guard

SALEM - If you go to the new online version of the Oregon Blue Book to find out what the printed version's cover will be, then you'll understand why State Archivist Roy Turnbaugh is confident the ink-on-paper edition won't be going away.

"There's almost a mystique about the print version, and there's this core group of people, journalists and legislators among them, who like to have a printed version on the desk," said Turnbaugh, whose division oversees the production of both the print and online versions of the state's official almanac of all things Oregon.

For those interested in purchasing a softbound printed version, Turnbaugh said they will be available in bookstores next month and can be purchased online from the Blue Book Web site.

The online version, which includes all of the print edition's updated material, became available this week at www.bluebook.state.or.us.

Among other things, you can see what the bound edition's cover will be: a photograph by Marvin Mann of the Portland skyline, illuminated by brilliant bursts of fireworks.

Although many elements of the electronic version are updated regularly - particularly agency contact information - the recently refurbished Web-based edition includes several of the updates that come along only on a two-year basis, coinciding with the biennial editions of the printed Blue Book.

Among this year's new features are a section of text and images of memorabilia from the 1905 Lewis and Clark Exposition.

The fair, held in Portland, commemorated the centennial of the expedition, which is now at its bicentennial.

And because the online version is so much bigger - 2,500 pages of content vs. the dead-tree variety's roughly 475 pages - it includes some features that won't be in the printed version when it comes out next month.

For instance, online, you'll find a "Notable Oregonians" section, where photos and biographies are available on writers (Beverly Cleary, John Reed and Ken Kesey), athletes (Steve Prefontaine and Don Schollander), explorers (Lewis, Clark and Sacagawea) cartoonists (Matt Groening and Homer Davenport) and several others: scientists and inventors, industrialists and business leaders, performers, Indian chiefs and politicians.

Turnbaugh said there's no formal process to determine who qualifies as a Notable Oregonian.

The Archives staff who produce the Blue Book accept nominees from the public (which can be forwarded online) and have only one rule: among politicians, only dead ones can be deemed "notable."

There's a reason for the prohibition on living politicians, Turnbaugh said: "Because I don't want to get bombarded with, hey, why aren't I in it?"