41. Value of the FDLP

GPO is pleased to announce the release of The Value of the FDLP. This page offers a information on how to highlight the value of being a Federal depository library, including services GPO provides FDLP members, the expertise and services FDLP members provide one another as part of the larger network, and the local value individual libraries place on the FDLP within their institution. The Web page provides information on how to submit success stories. We highly encourage you to submit all types of successes, large or small. Submissions may include any manner of information that conveys how your users, your institution, or your library finds Value in the FDLP. Send us your press releases, interesting activities, community feedback, video or news stories. Other members of the FDLP can benefit from how you are discovering and growing the Value of the FDLP in your community.

Saturday, 18 October 2008 | 3 hits

42. Designation Handbook for Federal Depository Libraries

GPO is pleased to announce the release of a revised online version of the Designation Handbook for Federal Depository Libraries. This revised version includes a new section on the designation of libraries as regional depositories. It also includes sections that a library or designator can refer to that outline the complete steps for designation. The purpose of this document is to provide in one location the steps necessary to initiate, carry through, and conclude the designation of a library as a new Federal depository. The intended audience is library administrators and staff seeking depository status as well as elected and appointed government officials, including U.S. Senators, U.S. Representatives, the Public Printer, the Superintendent of Documents and State Librarians involved in the designation process. This revised publication supersedes the "Designation Handbook for Federal Depository Libraries" dated 1995, 2003 printing (slightly revised).

Friday, 22 August 2008

43. Help Shape the Future of the FDLP

GPO is developing a strategic plan for the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) that looks forward 10-15 years. There were initial discussions at the spring 2008 meeting of the Depository Library Council in Kansas City. At that meeting, we discussed the vision, mission, and assumptions. We also began a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis of the FDLP. GPO continues to seek input for the strategic planning process and is very interested in your thoughts about the future direction of the FDLP. Gaze into your crystal ball, and help shape our future by providing comments on such topics as the vision, mission, assumptions, and value of depository designation. Find the Council discussion, related documentation, and the comment form on the FDLP Desktop. All submissions will be reviewed, and a draft strategic plan will be available for discussion at the fall meeting of the Depository Library Council (October 20-22, 2008).

Friday, 22 August 2008

44. International Scholar Studying the FDLP at GPO

Public Printer Bob Tapella, Professor Nobuhiro Igawa and Acting SuDoc Ric Davis A research scholar from Japan is spending a year at GPO and the Library of Congress to learn how the U.S. government makes the documents of its democracy available to the public. Professor Nobuhiro Igawa hopes to take what he learns at GPO and propose a similar program for the citizens of Japan. Professor Igawa is from the International University of Kagoshima, Japan and will study the FDLP. “I am honored to study and learn how the United States disseminates government information to its citizens,” said Professor Nobuhiro Igawa. “If I could introduce a system similar to the Federal Depository Library Program in Japan, it would benefit all citizens who want to learn more about government information.” Professor Igawa's visit is being facilitated by the Library of Congress, where he has already performed some analysis on production, dissemination and use of federal public information in the Library’s Government Documents Section. Following his studies at GPO, he will return for further research at the Library. GPO's Library Services and Content Management staff will provide introductory and advanced topics for his research. In addition to conducting his own research, Professor Igawa will also study the many challenges facing the FDLP and provide a fresh analysis. "I am thrilled that Professor Igawa is spending a year with GPO studying how the agency keeps America informed through the FDLP,” said Acting Superintendent of Documents Ric Davis. “The GPO staff looks forward to a year of information sharing, collaboration, and learning. We are excited to help Professor Igawa learn about the FDLP's strong tradition of safeguarding the public's right to free access to Government information."

Thursday, 04 December 2008 | 3 hits

45. FDLP Promotional Video

GPO has released the first video of its Easy As FDL campaign. View and download the video that describes what makes Federal depository libraries so unique and essential to the American public. We encourage you to spread the word about the FDLP by sharing the video on your library's Web site, various social media sites, social networking sites, or in your presentations. You may also ask local government offices and educational institutions to place it on their Web sites.

Tuesday, 04 November 2008 | 3 hits

46. GPO Sept. - Oct. 15, 2008 issue of Administrative Notes

The GPO September - October 15, 2008 issue of Administrative Notes has been added to the FDLP Desktop in HTML and PDF formats. The updated cumulative table of contents is also available.

Monday, 24 November 2008 | 3 hits

47. Law Library for San Bernadino County

The U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) is pleased to announce the Law Library for San Bernardino County, California, as the 2008 Federal Depository Library of the Year. The GPO bestows this honor on a Federal depository library each year for its outstanding service to meet the Federal government information needs in the library's service area; creativity and innovation in developing community programs for the use of Federal government information; and leadership in creating public service programs that can be emulated by other Federal Depository Libraries. The presentation of the award took place at the Fall Federal Depository Library Conference in Arlington, Virginia.  Participants in the award ceremony included Public Printer Robert C. Tapella; Richard G. Davis, the Acting Superintendent of Documents and Director of Library Services and Content Management; Lawrence R. Meyer, the Director of the Law Library for San Bernardino County; and Keith D. Davis, the President of the library’s Board of Trustees. “The Law Library for San Bernardino County has done an outstanding job of providing the public access to the documents of our democracy,” said Public Printer Robert C. Tapella.  “For nearly 200 years, depository libraries have safeguarded the public’s right to know and are one of the vital links between the public and its government.” With three locations, the Law Library for San Bernardino County is a selective Federal depository library that serves the largest county in the United States.  It encompasses the main library in the City of San Bernardino, as well as branches in the cities of Rancho Cucamonga ands Victorville.  The library has a lengthy record of public service and outreach. Library staff has taken numerous steps to offer superior service to its users.  These steps include extending its hours of operation, developing a new, more user-friendly Web site, and offering a law librarian online reference service called “AskNow.” Also, the staff conducts public outreach activities by extensively promoting law library materials and services to both the legal and non-legal communities.  Additionally, the staff consistently surveys library users, which enables them to sustain an open relationship with the members of the community they serve. “We are deeply honored and privileged to receive the award,” said Lawrence R. Meyer, Director, Law Library for San Bernardino County. “We appreciate its significance to the depository community and the recognition the award conveys specifically to the Law Library for San Bernardino County as well as the recognition it places upon all Law Libraries that participate in the FDLP as selective depositories or through shared housing arrangements. In particular this award emphasizes the importance of publicly accessible county law libraries to the FDLP.”

Monday, 03 November 2008 | 3 hits

48. Benton Harbor Public Library Named Library of the Year for 2006

The U.S. Government Printing Office has selected Michigan's Benton Harbor Public Library as the 2006 Federal Depository Library of the Year. Public Printer Bruce James presented the award to library officials October 22 at the annual Federal Depository Library Conference. In presenting the award, James commended the library for providing the residents of its community with online access to authentic published Government information. "I am honored to present this award to the Benton Harbor Public Library. Our partnership with the Federal Depository Library is an example of how GPO and local libraries can help communities across the country access authentic published Government information," said James. “I am especially glad to see the library using the far-reaching benefits of the Web to post Federal Government documents that residents can download electronically.” Benton Harbor Public Library is in an economically challenged area and used limited funds to ensure Federal Government resources are used to their full potential. Michigan's United States Senators are proud of what a library in their home state was able to accomplish. "I commend the Benton Harbor Public Library staff not only for its commitment to providing citizens with access to a wide range of Government resources, but also for presenting these resources in a manner that so directly meets the needs of the community,” said U.S. Senator Carl Levin. “Great things are happening because of great people in Benton Harbor. I'm so proud to represent them,” said U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow. “This award is very special and very well deserved. I want to congratulate Fred Kirby, our great director of the library, and his staff.” Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm, in a letter congratulating the library on the award, noted that “the staff at Benton Harbor Public Library are showing your community how to navigate, use and ultimately leverage primary source materials where they can arguably do the most good and where — without the commitment of the library to offer such materials — they would otherwise be unavailable to many people. This award is a testament to your library staff's passion for information and commitment to your community. On behalf of the people of Michigan, whom you serve so very well, please accept my congratulations and best wishes as you celebrate this much deserved recognition.”

Monday, 23 October 2006 | 1 hit

49. New Mexico State Library Named Library of the Year for 2005

The U.S. Government Printing Office is proud to present to New Mexico State Library the 2005 Library of the Year Award. The library won the award for going the extra mile to promote the goals of the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) in creative and innovative ways. "New Mexico State Library is a shining example of what can happen when conscientious dedication and technological advances meet. This combination has ensured that access to authentic Federal Government documents is among the top priorities at this now award-winning state library," said Bruce James, Public Printer of the United States. "The New Mexico community is served by some of the most resourceful, innovative, and knowledgeable librarians in the country and GPO salutes their achievements." New Mexico State Library's programs have helped provide access to Government information to people whether living in a city or on an isolated mountaintop. Deputy Public Printer Bill Turri presented the award to library staff during a ceremony on October 16th, as part of this year’s Fall Federal Depository Library Conference. Achievements such as New Mexico News Plus, the New Mexico State Library Digital Archive Project, and Docs on Wheels provide access to Government information to the people of New Mexico. New Mexico News Plus is a web-based information research service designed to serve as an access tool for New Mexico’s libraries, students, teachers, citizen activists, and federal/state government policy makers. Updated each morning in response to the news of the day, New Mexico News Plus provides the user with links to Government documents and agency contacts behind each story. The New Mexico State Library Digital Archive Project provides a mechanism for the library to capture “fugitive” electronic documents from regional Federal agencies that have been identified on the New Mexico News Plus service or through local agency contacts. Many documents produced by regional offices of Federal agencies would never find their way into the program without this project. The library also provides an excellent bookmobile service. Docs on Wheels serves four geographic regions, serving 10,000 registered customers. Many of the library’s rural patrons lack Internet access and rely on this service to participate in the regulatory process. The service gives them the ability to comment on proposed rules and regulations that impact their lives and communities. “I commend New Mexico State Library for its pioneering work in managing public and Federal information which is reflected by this prestigious award. The Library’s approach, to make data of particular relevance to New Mexico available, is unique and highly innovative. It is an exciting and precise educational tool that can empower citizens to participate even more fully in the public policy processes that impact all of our lives,” said U.S. Senator Pete Domenici. Library director Richard Akeroyd, regional Federal documents librarian Laurie Canepa, and their staff have shown passion and dedication to these projects and other efforts that have made the New Mexico State Library a recognized national leader in disseminating Government information. "It is a great honor to receive this recognition from the U.S. Government Printing Office. All of us at the New Mexico State Library are extremely gratified and proud to be recognized for the dedication and commitment of our depository library staff to making government information freely and readily available to the people of New Mexico,” said Library Director Richard Akeroyd.“ We look forward to continuing our close work with the Government Printing Office, and our federal documents depository colleagues, in contributing to the on-going maintenance of a strong depository library system in New Mexico and throughout the nation." For more information about the New Mexico State Library, visit their Web site.

Monday, 05 March 2007

50. Southern Oregon University's Lenn and Dixie Hannon Library Named Library of the Year for 2004

The U.S. Government Printing Office has named Southern Oregon University's Lenn and Dixie Hannon Library as the winner of its second annual Federal Depository Library of the Year Award. The award provides special recognition for a library that furthers the goal of the Federal Depository Library Program by ensuring that the American public has free access to its Government's information through: Outstanding service to meet the Federal government information needs in the library's service area Creativity and innovation in developing specific community programs for use of Federal government information or a dramatic increase in their community's usage of Federal government information Leadership in creating public service programs that can be emulated by other Federal Depository Libraries In presenting the award, Public Printer Bruce James noted that "The Lenn and Dixie Hannon Library staff members have been described as having amazing energy and tireless passion for their work and we at the GPO agree. The library is public-service driven, committed to creative and innovative programs and dedicated to providing access to Government information to the citizens of Oregon through its partnership with the GPO."

Saturday, 16 October 2004 | 1 hit

51. Tulsa City-County Library Named Library of the Year for 2003

Forward thinking, superior customer service and Internet savvy: That is how a third of a million library users in Tulsa, Oklahoma describe their public library. Those reasons, paired with excellence in providing public access to government information through the U.S. Government Printing Office's (GPO) Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP), is why the Tulsa City-County Library has been named the first-ever Federal Depository Library of the Year. The U.S. Government Printing Office's (GPO) Public Printer of the United States Bruce James, presented the award to the Tulsa City-County Library at the 2003 Fall Federal Depository Library Conference, which was held October 19-22 in Arlington, Virginia. "On behalf of GPO's Superintendent of Documents Judith Russell and the rest of her team, I congratulate the Tulsa City-County Library for embracing new technology in its ongoing efforts to make public access to Government information better accessible," said Public Printer James. "The library staff's commitment to utilizing the Internet and using outside-of-the-box techniques to better serve the needs of the public is commendable." The FDLP's annual four-day conference is the largest gathering of Federal Government documents librarians in the country and was an excellent opportunity to honor the winning library and its head Government Documents librarian, Suzanne Sears. "This award recognizes a passion to connect government information to customers when and how they want it," said Linda Saferite, Tulsa City-County Library's CEO. "While our collection is small, our passion to maximize the collection is great." Not only is the library moving forward by introducing innovative information access options, but also the paper collection is still maintained by staff and retrospective cataloging has increased the circulation of the collection. Outreach is a goal of the staff and a supply of free promotional materials is kept on display. The library also acts as a liaison for local community officials.

Tuesday, 21 October 2003 | 4 hits

52. Middendorf-Kredell Branch Library Named Library of the Year for 2007

Middendorf-Kredell Branch Library, in O'Fallon, Missouri, has been named the 2007 Federal Depository Library of the Year. Each year, the U.S. Government Printing Office selects one Federal depository library for its outstanding service to the American public and the promotion of Federal Government information. Public Printer Robert C. Tapella presented the award to Deputy Director Betty Murr at the Fall DLC Meeting and Conference held in Arlington, VA. “It is an honor to present the library with this award. The Middendorf-Kredell Library has demonstrated great leadership in the ever changing digital age by creating an online forum twelve years ago for the public to access Government information,” said Public Printer Robert C. Tapella. A selective Federal depository library since 1990, Middendorf-Kredell Branch Library is part of the St. Charles City-County Library District. Their creativity and innovation has led to the development of various programs that readily and easily bring Federal information to a very broad base of the local community. "A well-informed electorate is indispensable to the American form of government. You and your staff have established a standard of excellence that will not soon be eclipsed, and in doing so, you have also strengthened the very foundations of the freedoms that we now enjoy. Congratulations on your fine work!", said Congressman W. Todd Akin. Middendorf-Kredell was among the first Federal depository libraries to establish an online Web site to enhance their ability to reach the public. This includes their creation of "Uncle Sam for Kids", which was the first of its kind in the country to help kids obtain Federal information for school assignments. Their Community & Market Analysis program has been successful in providing a free, customized analysis for any address for businesses interested in relocation or expanding in the area. Additionally, Anne Sylvan, information resource manager for documents at the Middendorf-Kredell Branch, developed a protocol to directly batch-upload government documents, instead of sending them out to a third party to be catalogued. Last year, the library uploaded 18,500 electronic government records. Library patrons can search the records by author, title, subject or keywords. "We're certainly not the largest depository, so I like to think that our recognition is tied to our strength of getting library services out to the broader community,” said St. Charles City-County Library District Director Carl R. Sandstedt. “We have tried for years to "knock" the walls out of our buildings and push services throughout the area. We are simply much more proactive in the delivery of services than most public libraries.”

Wednesday, 17 October 2007

53. New Congressional Committee Prints Browse Feature

A new browse feature is now available for the Congressional Committee Prints application on GPO Access. The browse is only available from 110th Congress, 1st Session (2007-2008) forward.

Wednesday, 27 August 2008 | 1 hit

54. Four Online Training Sessions Now Available in OPAL Archive

Four new FDLP Web-based training sessions are available for viewing on the GPO OPAL site. Three of the presentations provide an overview of the Federal Depository Library Handbook and highlight some of the content found in various chapters. The three sessions provide an excellent introduction to Federal depository operations including legal and program requirements, best practices, and tips. All three are highly recommended for new depository coordinators and also for experienced coordinators who would like refresher training. A fourth FDLP web-based training session provides an overview of the process for designating libraries as Federal depositories; it supports the recently released online Designation Handbook.

Thursday, 25 September 2008

55. FDLP and C&I Metrics - November 2008

GPO is releasing monthly statistics on the activities of Statistics for November 2008 activites of the FDLP and the Cataloging and Indexing Program have been released.

Monday, 08 December 2008 | 3 hits

56. Easy as FDL Promotional Products

As part of the new FDLP marketing campaign, GPO is proud to announce the release of the new Easy as FDL promotional products, available for order from the FDLP Desktop. Order now! For marketing ideas on how to utilize these products and information on other methods by which to market depository services to the general public and non-depositories, read the FDLP Marketing Plan. Stay tuned for the soon-to-be released FDLP promotional video. Also, remember, volunteers are still needed for the second FDLP promotional video. Volunteers will take part in brief, taped interviews about the FDLP at the Federal Depository Library Conference and Fall Depository Library Council meeting in Arlington, Virginia on Monday, October 20, 2008.

Thursday, 02 October 2008

57. New Congressional Reports Browse Feature

A new browse feature is now available for the Congressional Reports application on GPO Access. The browse is only available for the 110th Congress (2007-2008) forward.

Friday, 03 October 2008

58. Federal Agencies Digitization Guidelines Initiative

The Web site for the Federal Agencies Digitization Guidelines Initiative is now available.

Tuesday, 07 October 2008 | Read more

59. FDLP Community Web Site Open Beta Test

Recently, GPO launched closed beta testing for the FDLP Community site. Based on the feedback received, we have implemented modifications and are ready for the next phase of testing. In addition to being able to blog, comment on blogs, post pictures, create/search profiles, and add Web links, a discussion forum has been launched. The forum is designed to provide a self-help discussion platform that allows the FDL community to share questions, issues, experience, and expertise. The forum is divided into categories and sub-categories in order to facilitate discussions. Register now and play a part in the development of the social networking aspect of the FDLP Desktop. To register, go to the FDLP Community beta site and click on the ‘Register’ link. After completing the form, please check your email to authenticate your application. As part of our security protocol, members must self-authenticate and also be approved by our administrator before access is granted. The FDLP Community Web site is designed to create an online, interactive venue to enhance the world of Government documents. We hope you will utilize the features and share your knowledge, experiences, and resources with others. Please use the contact us form to report bugs, share your thoughts, and suggest new features.

Monday, 06 October 2008 | 2 hits

60. Enhanced LSCM contact form released

In response to comments received during GPO's attendance at the recent AALL meeting in Portland, an expanded Library Services & Content Management (LSCM) contact form has been released. The original page allowed users to submit inquiries directly to LSCM directors via an email form. The expanded page now lists all LSCM directors and managers and also features additional details/abilities. Click on a user to view their complete contact details, which includes mailing address and phone number. Emails to the directors/managers can be sent through a Web form. For security reasons, email addresses are hidden. Users also have the ability to save a director's/manager's contact information as a vCard (electronic business card). The page can be found under the Help tab of the FDLP Desktop. The URL of the original form redirects to the new page. Please do not use this form for general inquiries. Subject matter experts are available through our askGPO service to handle your questions in a timely manner.

Thursday, 21 August 2008