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| Free access to the resources of the depository collection by the general public is a fundamental obligation that all Federal depository libraries share (except the highest State Appellate Court libraries). Access policies, posting of signs, and public service hours for depository patrons must conform to this requirement. |
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| One of the most important responsibilities of the documents coordinator is to build the depository collection. A majority of libraries that are designated depositories have, as their primary mission, a commitment to serve a particular patron group (student, judges, etc.). While these libraries focus collection development most closely on the needs of their primary patrons, the Government information needs of the general public must not be ignored. |
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| Every depository library should have one person who is designated as the coordinator who serves as a point of contact for GPO. This person should communicate with and respond to requests from GPO as necessary and ensure that the library's entry in the database is correct. |
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| While the transition to a more electronic Federal Depository Library Program has expanded the information resources available to depositories, it has also provided challenges to those who administer depository collections and provide service. To provide guidance and to ensure access to all Government information, it is sometimes necessary to issue new policies and guidelines. |
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| These resources provide suggestions for workable solutions to the day-to-day challenges of administering a depository operation and providing service in an ever-changing environment. The contents are not meant to prescribe methods of operation but rather offer options to be adapted the needs of your library. |
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| Public service begins with public awareness. Depository promotion needs to extend to all potential user groups. This includes library staff, primary clientele, and citizens of the U.S. Congressional district or relevant region. Depository outreach into the surrounding communities should be ongoing. Any activity that increases the visibility of the depository, its resources and its services is encouraged. |
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| The basis for the inspection program lies in 44 U.S.C. § 1909, which requires the Superintendent of Documents to conduct investigations of depository libraries "where need is indicated". The self-study process was implemented to aid in this process while providing librarians an opportunity to critically review their depository operations. |
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| GPO encourages cooperation among depositories, but it is especially important that there be a good working relationship between selectives and their regional depository librarian. Among the areas in which Regionals play an active role are the designation and termination of depository status, inspections, electronic substitution of publications and disposal of materials. |
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| Sample policies may be found at the GODORT Handout Exchange. The Handout Exchange web site is sponsored by the Education Committee of the Government Documents Round Table, American Library Association and maintained by Grace York, Documents Coordinator, University of Michigan. |
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Official monthly newsletter of the Federal Depository Library Program. New policies and directives from GPO are published here.
Monthly newsletter of the FDLP with a technical processing focus and emphasis on changing depository item numbers and SuDoc class numbers. Distributed to all depository libraries and available on the web from August 15, 1996
The CGP indexes information distributed through the Federal Depository Library Program and contains cataloging records published in the Catalog since January 1994. It is updated daily. The print and CD-ROM counterparts of this index is the Monthly Catalog of United States Government Publications, sometimes referred to as MoCat.
The directory is searchable by a number of variables and provides links to the library's item selections, web page, and the coordinator's email address. The online version is updated monthly while the print version is semi-annual.
Contains guidelines, suggestions, and practical applications that meet the requirements of the FDLP
Sets forth the requirements for which all depository libraries are obligated
Lists the SuDocs class stem, titles, item numbers, and formats of material available for selection; item number index with corresponding SuDocs stem
Revised titles that may be withdrawn from the collection prior to the five-year required retention period
A complete list of GPO publications is available from the FDLP Desktop's Publications page. |
