Federal Depository Library Program

Federal Depository Library Program
Name	Federal Depository Library Program
Established	1813
Country	United States

Federal Depository Library Program is a program administered by the Government Publishing Office (GPO) to provide free public access to United States Government information. The program was established by an act of Congress in 1813, with the goal of making United States Congressional documents and other government publications available to the public through a network of libraries. This program is a key component of the United States efforts to promote transparency and accountability in government, as envisioned by James Madison and Thomas Jefferson. The program has undergone significant changes over the years, with major milestones including the Federal Depository Library Act of 1962 and the Government Printing Office Electronic Information Access Enhancement Act of 1993, signed into law by President Bill Clinton.

History of the Program

The history of the program dates back to 1813, when Congress passed a resolution requiring the Government Printing Office to distribute certain government documents to libraries and other institutions. Over the years, the program has evolved to include a wide range of government publications, including documents from the Executive Office of the President, Congress, and the Supreme Court of the United States. The program has also expanded to include electronic resources, such as the Catalog of U.S. Government Publications and the Federal Register, which are maintained by the National Archives and Records Administration and the Office of the Federal Register. The program has been influenced by key figures such as Benjamin Franklin, who was a strong advocate for public access to information, and Woodrow Wilson, who supported the creation of the Federal Trade Commission to promote government transparency. The program has also been shaped by significant events, including the American Revolution and the Great Depression, which highlighted the need for government accountability and transparency.

Program Structure and Management

The program is managed by the Government Publishing Office (GPO), which is responsible for selecting and distributing government publications to participating libraries. The GPO works closely with the Library of Congress, the National Archives and Records Administration, and other federal agencies to identify and acquire government publications for distribution. The program is also guided by the Federal Depository Library Council, which is composed of representatives from participating libraries and federal agencies, including the Department of Defense, the Department of State, and the Department of Justice. The council provides advice and recommendations on program policies and procedures, and works to promote the program and its resources to the public, in partnership with organizations such as the American Library Association and the Special Libraries Association.

Participating Libraries

Participating libraries are selected by the Government Publishing Office based on their ability to provide free public access to government information and to meet certain standards for collection development and maintenance. There are currently over 1,100 participating libraries in the program, including public libraries, academic libraries, and special libraries, such as the Library of Congress and the National Library of Medicine. Participating libraries are required to provide access to government information in a variety of formats, including print, microfiche, and electronic, and to promote the program and its resources to the public, in collaboration with institutions such as the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. Libraries may also participate in the program through partnerships with other libraries and organizations, such as the Digital Public Library of America and the Internet Archive.

Collection and Access

The program provides access to a wide range of government publications, including Congressional hearings, Congressional reports, and Executive Orders, as well as publications from federal agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Participating libraries are required to maintain a core collection of government publications, which includes key titles such as the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations, published by the Office of the Federal Register and the Government Publishing Office. Libraries may also select additional titles to add to their collections, based on the needs and interests of their users, in consultation with experts from institutions such as the Brookings Institution and the Cato Institute. The program also provides access to electronic resources, such as the Catalog of U.S. Government Publications and the USA.gov website, which is maintained by the General Services Administration.

Services and Outreach

Participating libraries are required to provide a range of services to support public access to government information, including reference and research assistance, and training and outreach programs, in partnership with organizations such as the American Association of Law Libraries and the Medical Library Association. Libraries may also provide additional services, such as document delivery and interlibrary loan, to support the needs of their users, in collaboration with institutions such as the National Library of Australia and the British Library. The program also provides funding and support for libraries to develop and implement outreach and education programs, such as the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, to promote awareness and use of government information, in conjunction with events such as the National Book Festival and the Library of Congress National Book Festival.

Digital Depository Program

The Digital Depository Program is a component of the program that provides access to electronic government information, including born-digital publications and digitized versions of print publications, through platforms such as the Digital Public Library of America and the HathiTrust Digital Library. The program is managed by the Government Publishing Office in partnership with participating libraries and other federal agencies, including the National Archives and Records Administration and the Library of Congress. The program provides access to a wide range of electronic resources, including the Catalog of U.S. Government Publications and the Federal Register, as well as publications from federal agencies such as the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. The program also provides funding and support for libraries to develop and implement digital preservation and access programs, in collaboration with institutions such as the Internet Archive and the World Digital Library, to ensure long-term access to electronic government information, as envisioned by Vint Cerf and Tim Berners-Lee.

Category:Library programs