The legal responsibilities of Federal depository libraries fall into two broad categories: 1. Providing for free public access to Government information. 2. Providing for the proper maintenance of the depository materials entrusted to the individual depository's care.

Free access as defined by GPO means that any member of the general public can use Government information products in all media at the library without impediments.

The Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) was created in 1813 by Congress to inform the American Citizens of government activity. The FDLP has continued to provide current information with technologically advanced forms of materials to all its depository libraries.

It is Title 44 of the United States Code where the federal government describes the federal depository program.

FDLP annual report: According to the Library Programs Service Annual Report in 2002 the FDLP disseminated 34,900 items, 20,585 being online records.

GODORT Handout Exchange and Clearinghouse is a part of the Government Documents Round Table of the American Library Association. This group provides librarians working with government documents a forum for the exchange of ideas. It actively promotes education and training, bibliographic control of documents, and public access to government information at all levels of government.

The Government Printing Office is the place where all the documents for depository libraries are printed. (change this sentance). Enjoy some articles on the History of GPO.

The legal responsibilities of Federal depository libraries fall into two broad categories: 1. Providing for free public access to Government information. 2. Providing for the proper maintenance of the depository materials entrusted to the individual depository's care.

The U.S. Government Printing Office's Library Services & Content Management business unit manages the National Bibliography Program. The goal is to develop a comprehensive and authoritative National Bibliography of U.S. Government Publications to increase the visibility and use of Government information products, and to develop a premier destination for information searchers.

Inspections

Investigations of the conditions in depository libraries are required by Title 44, United States Code, Section 1909. The initial investigation is an evaluation of a mandatory self-study periodically submitted by the documents coordinator. Inspectors will focus on the library's ability to provide public access to CD-ROMs, the FDLP Electronic Collection and GPO Access. The last three times UIUC Government Documents library was inspected was in 1982, 1987, and 1994.

Other Centennial Government Documents Libraries

In 1907 many land grant universities became federal documents depository libraries. Check out this great list!