Chapter 6 - Physical Facilities
A. Physical Access
B. Housing
C. Equipment
D. Signage
A. Physical Access
Depository operations must be entirely situated in an environment that provides access to and usage of depository resources. The depository operations area should be well lighted, comfortable, attractive, clean, and have sufficient work space and seating for depository patrons.
Documents must be retrievable within 24 hours if they are stored off-site. All facilities housing depository materials must meet the standards set forth in the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Program and performance goals for physical facilities can be found in Section 7 of the Guidelines for the Federal Depository Library Program at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/pubs/fdlm/guidelin.html.
B. Housing
Adequate housing must be provided to properly house all depository materials regardless of format. This housing must be sufficient to control, protect, and preserve all depository holdings regardless of format.
Map cases, microfiche cabinets, CD-ROM storage units, etc., are examples of appropriate housing. Depositories can house documents in facilities other than the official depository library. These off-site facilities must conform to these standards. Additional guidance can be found in Chapter 4 of these Instructions.
C. Equipment
The depository library must have equipment for the public and staff to view and use government information in all media. The capability to download, copy, and print must be provided. Microfiche readers and reader printers must be available to the public.
Consult the Recommended Specifications for Public Access Workstations in Federal Depository Libraries issued by GPO annually to assist libraries with new computer equipment purchases. The latest specifications are located at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/computers/rs.html.
All depository libraries are required to meet minimum technical requirements as revised and published in Administrative Notes and on GPO Access. The latest requirements are posted at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/computers/mtr.html.
The depository operation should be sufficiently equipped to ensure access to depository holdings regardless of format within 24 hours.
A personal computer that meets or exceeds the latest minimum technical requirements is highly recommended for use by the documents staff to ensure effective depository administration.
Adequate space away from public service areas should be allocated for processing new depository materials. The documents coordinator and depository staff members should have non-public work areas.
D. Signage
Signage and other physical facilities of the library and parent institution cannot inhibit public access. Signage should be employed to facilitate access to depository materials.
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