11.3 Types of Partnerships

While FDLP partnerships will vary based on the type of project, to date partnerships have fallen into 3 categories. However, partnerships are not limited to these categories, and LSCM will consider partnership proposals that fall outside of these categories.

11.3.A Content Partnerships

In content partnerships, partners host part of the FDLP Electronic Collection for the free use of the general public. Agencies and depository libraries enter into LSCM-brokered agreements to provide the environment and resources for permanent access to agency products not previously managed via GPO Access.

In general, a content partnership REQUIRES that an institution or organization provide storage capacity and cooperate with the agency and LSCM in providing user access to the product or products. LSCM acts as broker of the agreement and agrees to receive custody of data and software in the event that the partner institution withdraws from the arrangement. Other provisions may be negotiated into individual agreements.

When considering a content partnership, remember that the core of legislative and regulatory information managed on GPO's servers will remain with GPO permanently, while partner institutions will provide storage capacity and free public access to a wide variety of executive and judicial information.

11.3.B Service Partnerships

In service partnerships, partners offer services that assist LSCM and depository libraries with the administration of FDLP collections.

Your depository library may develop services that enhance the use of FDLP government information. After determining that a service developed for depository operations or administration has a broad appeal and utility, LSCM enters into an understanding with the creating library to offer the service across the FDLP. Examples of service partnerships include Enhanced Shipping List Service which gives depositories the ability to produce labels for publications, and Browse Topics which provides a subject-oriented approach to electronic Federal agency information.

11.3.C Hybrid Partnerships

In hybrid partnerships, partners offer a mixture of content and service partnerships, for example, hosting part of the Electronic Collection and also offering a service important to the administration of the FDLP collection. Assisting LSCM to develop a more comprehensive Catalog of U.S. Government Publications (CGP) through cooperative cataloging would be a hybrid partnership. An example of a current hybrid partnership is the Clemson University Pilot Light Project to facilitate the migration of tangible publications distribution to electronic (EL) dissemination for Federal depository libraries while also assessing the operational and service implications of a regional Federal depository library with a primarily electronic collection.