United States Code, Title 44 - Public Printing and Documents. Chapter 19 - Depository Library Program

<http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/pubs/title44/>

Legal basis for the federal depository library program. Publications included in the program, requirements for government agencies, GPO's responsibility for bibliographic control, designation and removal of depository libraries, and the role of regional depositories.

Keeping America Informed

<http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/pr/keepam.html>

Legal basis of the depository library program and brief chronology beginning with 1813. Number and types of depository libraries.

Snapshots of the Federal Depository Library Program

<http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/history/snapshot.html>

Brief history of the depository program with facts about the number of libraries, number of shipments, and operational procedures.

Federal Depository Libraries: Your Source for Yesterday's, Today's, and Tomorrow's Government Information

<http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/council/leaflet.html>

A pamphlet produced by the Depository Library Council that has examples from around The country of how depository libraries impact their local communities.

GPO Electronic Collections

Draft Policy Statement on Dissemination/Distribution Policy for the FDLP

<http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/pubs/adnotes/ad101500.html#7>

Guidelines for distributing internet publications to the Federal Depository Library Program rather than tangible products. Discussion paper for the Federal Depository Library Conference. Dated October 2000.

Managing the FDLP Electronic Collection: A Policy and Planning Document - 1998 (GPO)

<http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/pubs/ecplan.html>

Outlines permanent public access for internet and CD-ROM documents. Criteria for selecting the electronic collection, cataloging , and the roles of GPO, agencies, National Archives, and library partnerships.

Study to Identify Measures Necessary for a Successful Transition to a More Electronic Federal Depository Library Program - 1996 (GPO)

<http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/pubs/study/studyhtm.html>

Detailed study of options for creating a more electronic federal depository library program. Analyzes the relationships between GPO, federal agencies, commercial publishers, and the National Archives and Records Service. Weighs program requirements, CD-ROM and fiche options, fee v. free access, and software licensing. Provides case studies of problem publications. Reaffirms the goals of the depository library program.

GPO Access

<http://www.gpoaccess.gov/index.html>

GPO hosts numerous publications, primarily from the legislative branch, on its web site. Included are the Congressional Record (text of debates), Congressional bills, Congressional committee hearings, prints, reports, and documents; General Accounting Office reports, Public Laws, United States Code (laws-in-force), Code of Federal Regulations (regulations in force), Federal Register (new and proposed regulations), Commerce Business Daily (contract bids), Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents, Federal Budget, and Supreme Court decisions.

New Electronic Titles

<http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/locators/net>

Current awareness service, begun in July 2000, that has the most recent four weeks of titles identified for inclusion in the FDLP/EC. Entries include title, item number, and SuDocs number. Full bibliographic information for these titles is available in the Catalog of U.S. Government Publications (CGP). An archive of weekly lists is maintained.

PURL Search Form

<http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/tools/purlsear.html>

Use this form to determine the URL for an assigned PURL. This form may also be used by URL to see if GPO has assigned a PURL to that specific title.

Bibliographic Control

Catalog of United States Government Publications, 1994+

<http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/locators/cgp/index.html>

Indexes newly-published federal documents in various formats by keyword, title, SUDOCS number, item number, and stock number. Predecessors in paper date back to 1895 with earlier compilations since 1774. Libraries often use two commercial services, OCLC <http://firstsearch.oclc.org/dbname=GPO;FSIP> and MARCIVE <http://www.marcive. com/web1.htm> to access GPO records since 1976 for their respective on-line catalogs. A description of GPO MARC services appears on the University of Denver web site <http://www.du.edu/bdld/mirintro.htm#gtr00>.

New Electronic Titles

<http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/locators/net>

Current awareness service, begun in July 2000, that has the most recent four weeks of titles identified for inclusion in the FDLP/EC. Entries include title, item number, and SuDocs number. Full bibliographic information for these titles is available in the Catalog of U.S. Government Publications (CGP). An archive of weekly lists is maintained.

Administrative Notes Technical Supplement, 1996+ (GPO)

<http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/pubs/techsup/index.html>

Lists new depository item numbers, split item numbers, discontinued titles, changes in SUDOCS Number and format on a monthly basis. Helpful for librarians monitoring their collections.

WebTech Notes, 1991+

<http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/tools/webtech.html>

Lists new depository item numbers, split item numbers, discontinued titles, changes in SUDOCS number, and changes in format. Searchable by title, item number, SUDOCS number, shipping list number, and status.

Internet Search Engines

One of the most efficient ways to identify electronic titles, within or outside the depository program, is directly searching the most prominent internet engines: Google's Uncle Sam <http://www.google.com/unclesam> or FirstGov <http://www.firstgov.gov/>.

Depository Collection Tools

SELECTION

List of Classes of United States Government Publications Available for Selection by Depository Libraries (University of Denver)

<http://www.du.edu/bdld/locintro.htm#gtr00>

"Classes" refers to the Superintendent of Documents classification number, a call number scheme based on the name of the agency and type (e.g. handbooks, annual reports) or title (Federal Register) of a publication it issues. The selection tool is the item number, which may have one type of publication or a number of individual titles.

This list is downloaded from the Federal Bulletin Board and converted to HTML format. It is arranged by SUDOCS number class stem with an alternative index by the name of the agency. Data for each class includes agency, class stem, brief title, item number, frequency, and format. Format types: P=paper; CD=CD-ROM; MF=microfiche; EL=internet.

Publication suspended August 2002-January 2003. In the interim, use GPO's List of Classes <http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/pubs/loc/index.html>

Suggested Core Collection (GPO)

<http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/pubs/fdlm/corelist.html>

Suggested item numbers for small to medium public libraries, academic libraries, and law libraries. Arranged by item number with SUDOCS stem, title, and type of library for which it is appropriate.

Basic Collection (GPO)

<http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/pubs/fdlm/basic.html>

A list of 21 titles which all depository libraries should own. Most are available on the Internet as well as in paper copy.

Item Lister (GPO)

<http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/tools/itemlist.html>

Enter the number of an individual depository library to obtain a list of item numbers selected and not selected. Provides item number only.

Needs and Offers List (University of North Dakota)

<http://www.und.edu/fdlp/>

Searchable list of federal publications being weeded from collections of other depository libraries. Free copies are usually available for the price of postage.

Depository Shipping Lists

<http://www.du.edu/bdld/dslintro.htm#gtr00>

Paper, microfiche, electronic and map shipping lists from GPO since 1997. Lists tangible products only. Good way to monitor what's new.

Suspended August 2002 - January 2003. In the interim, use GPO's Shipping Lists <http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/tools/sl/index.html>

Documents Data Miner

<http://govdoc.wichita.edu/ddm>

Search the GPO List of Classes by agency, item number, SUDOC class stem, title, format (paper, fiche, CD, electronic), and status (active/inactive). Example: all CD-ROMS issued by the Labor Department. Indicates format; active/inactive; whether one library or other libraries are selecting the item number.

MONITORING FORMAT CHANGES,
NEW ITEMS, DISCONTINUED ITEMS

Documents Data Miner

<http://govdoc.wichita.edu/ddm>

Search the GPO List of Classes by agency, item number, SUDOC class stem, title, format (paper, fiche, CD, electronic), and status (active/inactive). Example: all CD-ROMS issued by the Labor Department. Indicates format; active/inactive; whether one library or other libraries are selecting the item number.

New Electronic Titles (NET)

<http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/locators/net>

Current awareness service, begun in July 2000, that has the most recent four weeks of titles identified for inclusion in the FDLP/EC. Entries inlcude titel, item number, and SuDoc number. Full bibliographic information for these titles is available in the Catalog of U.S. Government Publications (CGP).

WebTech Notes, 1991+ (GPO)

<http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/webtech.html>

Lists new depository item numbers, split item numbers, discontinued titles, changes in SUDOCS number, and changes in format. Searchable by title, item number, SUDOCS number, shipping list number, and status.

WEEDING

FDLP Guidelines for Substituting Electronic Versions for Tangible Versions of Depository Publications (GPO)

<http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/coll-dev/subguide.html>

Depository libraries may ask permission from their regional depositories to discard tangible publications newer than five years if the electronic version is complete and permanent, as are the suggested titles on GPO Access.

Superseded List (GPO)

<http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/pubs/suplist/index.html>

Depository publications which may be discarded when superseded rather than weeding after five years.

Depository Library Guidelines and Regulations

Federal Depository Library Manual (GPO)

Chapter 1:Library Programs Service

<http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/pubs/fdlm/fdlmrch1.html>

Description of organizational structure and services.

Chapter 2: Collection Development

<http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/pubs/fdlm/93fdlm.html#2>

Writing a collection development policy that reflects user needs, format, accessibility, evaluation, cooperation with other libraries, and selective housing of depository publications in a non-depository library.

Chapter 3: Maps

<http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/pubs/fdlm/93fdlm.html#3>

Description of maps produced by U.S. Geological Survey, Defense Mapping Agency, and National Ocean Service. Includes selection considerations, processing requirements, catalogs, and claiming.

Chapter 4: Electronic Publications

<http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/pubs/fdlm/93fdlm.html#4>

Written in 1993, this section covers floppy diskettes and CD-ROMS. The recommendations for equipment and reference service have been superseded but provide an interesting historical viewpoint.

Chapter 5: Bibliographic Control

<http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/pubs/fdlm/93fdlm.html#5>

Selecting item numbers and amending selections, tracking inactive and new Item numbers, property stamps, processing shipping lists, alternative check-in and cataloging procedures, handling different formats.

Chapter 6: Maintenance

<http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/pubs/fdlm/93fdlm.html#6>

Preservation of paper and microfiche collections.

Chapter 7: Depository Promotion

<http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/pubs/fdlm/93fdlm.html#7>

Suggestions for promoting the depository collection to the staff, primary clientele, and general public.

Chapter 8: Inspections

<http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/pubs/fdlm/93fdlm.html#8>

Depository libraries are either inspected or required to submit a self-study to ensure compliance with access, collection, bibliographic control, staffing, promotion, and service standards. This section recommends inspection preparations.

Appendix A: Suggested Core Collections

<http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/pubs/fdlm/corelist.html>

Suggested item numbers for small to medium public libraries, academic libraries, and law libraries. Arranged by item number with SUDOCS stem, title, and type of library for which it is appropriate.

Basic Collection

<http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/pubs/fdlm/basic.html>

List of 21 titles which all libraries should own. Most are available on the Internet as well as in paper copy.

Appendix B: Maps Available for Selection

<http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/pubs/fdlm/93fdlm.html#appB>

List of maps by item number with SUDOCS classification number and title.

Supplement 1: Collection Development Guidelines for Selective Depository Libraries

<http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/pubs/fdlm/coldev.html>

Suggestions for writing a collection development policy.

Supplement 2: Guidelines for the Federal Depository Library Program

<http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/pubs/fdlm/guidelin.html>

Practical suggestions by librarians for the Government Printing in operating the program and for depositories on collection development, bibliographic control, maintenance, staffing, public service, cooperative efforts, and regional depositories.

Supplement 3: Self-Study of a Federal Depository Library

<http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/pubs/fdlm/selfstud.html>

Questionnaire on collection, bibliographic control, services, staffing, and cooperative efforts to be used in lieu of or in addition to a depository inspection. See annotation below.

Instructions to Depository Libraries (GPO)

<http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/pubs/instructions>

Practical information on designation and removal as a depository library, collection development, bibliographic control, collection maintenance, human resources, physical facilities, public service, cooperative efforts, and regional depository service s.

Self-Study of a Federal Depository Library

<http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/pubs/fdlm/selfstud.html>

Depository libraries are expected to complete an extensive written self-study every five years. This template covers a description of the community, format of the Basic Collection, commercial publications supplementing the depository program, details of bibliographic control, collection storage and maintenance, human resources and staff training, physical facilities, hours, reference service, circulation, cooperative efforts and professional activities. There is a separate section for regional depos itories. Completing the questionnaire requires approximately 40 hours. Signature by the library director is required.

Writing the Depository Self-Study
<http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/selfstudy/slides/index.html> is a presentation given by Gail Snider (GPO) and Steve Henson (Louisiana Tech University) in 1998 about the process.

GODORT Handout Exchange
<http://www.lib.umich.edu/govdocs/godort/selfstud.htm> has samples of self-studies submitted by documents librarians.

ELECTRONIC GUIDELINES

Depository Library Public Service Guidelines for Government Information in Electronic Formats (GPO/Depository Library Council)

<http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/mgt/pseguide.html>

Guides include printing and downloading capabilities for the general public, reference service, and training. CD-ROM software that has not been loaded should be made available in a timely manner or the CD-ROM circulated. Depository libraries are encouraged to web pages. Background to this document is provided by discussions and meetings sponsored by the Depository Library Council <http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/council/workingp.html>

.

E-Competencies for Federal Depository Libraries and Librarians (GODORT Government Information Technology Committee)

<http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/GODORT/gitco/ecomps.html>

List of computer competencies for all documents librarians, at least one documents librarian, and someone in the institution. Ranges from sending e-mail to spreadsheets, DOS commands, SAS, and GIS. Links to related GODORT projects.

FDLP Internet Use Policy Guidelines (GPO/Depository Library Council)

<http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/mgt/iupolicy.html>

Guidelines provide for free public access to federal depository internet information in all depository libraries. Only one workstation is required. The user cannot be required to present identification, and filtering software must be turned off.

Workstation Specifications

<http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/computers>

LPS issues technical requirements, which all Federal depository libraries must meet in order to fulfill their obligation to provide access to electronic government information products. LPS also issues annually, recommended specifications to provide g uidance to depsitory coordinators in planning new computer purchases.

Depository Libraries

Locate Federal Depository Libraries by State or Area Code (GPO)

<http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/locators/findlibs>

Searchable by state or telephone area. Provides name of library, depository library number, address, phone number, fax number, and link to the depository's web page.

U.S. Depository Libraries and Their Home Pages (University of Idaho)

<http://drseuss.lib.uidaho.edu:80/govdoc/otherdep.html>

List of federal depository libraries by state with links to their web pages. Also includes patent depository libraries, the Superintendent of Documents, and Patent and Trademark Office web pages. An alternate list is available from the Idaho State University <http://www.isu.edu/library/docs/Alpha.htm>

.

Sample Contributions of Federal Depository Libraries

Avalon Project (Yale Law School)

<http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/avalon.htm>

Historic legal documents and treaties from around the world with special emphasis on the American colonies.

Basic Depository Library Documents: The Unauthorized HTML Editions (University of Denver)

<http://www.du.edu/bdld/>

Enhanced and highly-usable versions of the depository library directory, shipping lists, item number lists, inactive titles. Analysis of item number selections.

Census Data (University of California, Berkeley)

<http://sunsite.Berkeley.EDU/GovData/info/>

The Lawrence Livermore Laboratory at Berkeley pioneered the 1990 Census CD-ROM Lookup interface. The library now maintains a mirror site for the Census Bureau and has made several additional subject files available on the internet.

Documents Center (University of Michigan)

<http://www.lib.umich.edu/govdocs/>

One of the oldest depository web sites focused on reference services and instruction. Sections on federal, foreign, international, state, and local documents, political science, and statistics. Integrates government and non-government sources; provides reference service. Hosts text version of Congressional E-Mail Directories (1994+), GODORT Handout Exchange (1994+), GPO Administrative Notes (1995+), and CIC CD-ROM Technical Documentation Project (1998+).

Economic Data (University of Virginia)

<http://fisher.lib.virginia.edu/collections/stats/>

A leader in developing interactive retrieval of statistical CD-ROMS, including County and City Data Book, County Business Patterns, National Income and Product Accounts, Regional Economic Information System, State Personal Income, and the Uniform Crime Reports.

FDLP Partnerships

<http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/partners>

Description of publication and service partnerships provided by individual depository libraries and government agencies to the depository library program. Examples include:

• State Department Archive <http://dosfan.lib.uic.edu/ERC/index.html> by the University of Illinois-Chicago Circle
• Advisory Commission for Intergovernmental Relations Archive <http://www.library.unt.edu/gpo/acir/acir.html> at the University of North Texas
• Documents Data Miner <http://govdoc.wichita.edu/ddm/GdocFrames.asp> at Wichita State University
• List of Federal Agency web sites <http://www.lib.lsu.edu/gov/fedgov.html> at Louisiana State University
• Enhanced Shipping List Service <http://ublib.buffalo.edu/ libraries/units/cts/acq/gpo/> of the State University of New York at Buffalo

GODORT Handout Exchange, 1994+ (Vanderbilt/Michigan/Numerous Libraries)

<http://www.lib.umich.edu/govdocs/godort.html>

Guides written by documents librarians throughout the country on using CD-ROMS, Internet publications, documents department administration, and social science subjects. Originally the handouts were submitted in text format. Numerous libraries are now placing their guides on the Internet so the Exchange links to their respective web sites.

Government Information Sharing Project (Oregon State University)

<http://govinfo.kerr.orst.edu/>

Web interface to important statistical CD-ROMS, including School District Data, Equal Employment Opportunity, Consolidated Federal Funds Report, Import/Export History, and the 1992 Economic Censuses.

Government Information Web Page Template (University of North Texas/Mansfield University)
<http://www.library.unt.edu/gpo/template/index.html>

Prepackaged HTML coding that federal depository librarians are welcome to use as they start to create their own web pages.

InfoMine: Government Documents (University of California, Riverside)

<http://infomine.ucr.edu/search/govpubsearch.phtml>

Extensive annotated guide to federal, California, and international agency documents. May be browsed or searched by subject, keyword, or title.

Uncle Sam's Migrating Government Publications (University of Memphis)

<http://exlibris.memphis.edu/govpubs/mig.htm>

Lists SUDOCS series converted to the web or CD. Arranged by SUDOCS number and title. (GPO's version is arranged by agency).

Professional Organizations

Depository Library Council to the Public Printer

<http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/council/>

A 15-member panel which advises the Public Printer on matters affecting the federal depository library program. Recommendations cover indexing, classification, cataloging, distribution, format, storage, utilization and administration of depository material. The web sites provides recommendations and responses made since 1979, meeting minutes and reports.

Government Documents Round Table/American Library Association (University of California/Berkeley)

<http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/GODORT/>

News, reports, officers, and conference schedules. Links to individual task forces and committees which maintain their own web sites. The latter includes the Federal, International and State/Local Task Forces, Education, Government Information Technology, Legislation and Cataloging. Professional Resources links to journals and related professional associations.

Professional LISTSERVS

DOCTECH-L

<http://library.usu.edu/Govdocs/doctech2.html>

Listserv for the technical processing of federal, state, or United Nations documents.

DOCWORLD-L

<http://www.indiana.edu/~libgpd/idtf/docworld.html>

Unmoderated listserv for discussing government documents librarianship in countries around the world.

FDLP-

<http://listserv.access.gpo.gov/archives/gpo-fdlp-l.html>

Official GPO listserv for federal depository libraries. Carries primarily news releases. Searchable archive since June 2002.

GOVDOC-L

<http://docs.lib.duke.edu/federal/govdoc-l/index.html>

Listserv primarily for those interested in federal documents. Over 1200 subscribers and approximately 10-20 messages per day. Often used for answering reference questions, sharing information about new publications, and offering significant publications free of charge for the price of postage.

INTLDOC-L

<http://www.library.uiuc.edu/doc/idtf/intl-doc.htm>

Listserv for librarians interested in publications of international Inter-Governmental Organizations, such as the United Nations and European Union.

Grace York, Coordinator, Documents Center
University of Michigan Library
graceyor@umich.edu
May 15, 2000, Nov. 27, 2000, June 11, 2001, April 9, 2002, Sept. 1, 2002, September 29, 2003
Revised by Cynthia Etkin
July 28, 2000