Administrative Notes informs the depository library community of policies, procedures, and news relating to the Federal Depository Library Program.

The Federal Depository Library Handbook (FDL Handbook) contains instructions and manuals that provides legal requirements, program requirements, and guidance for depository operations. Each chapter also includes best practices, tips, and resources for library administrators.

The Federal depository community worked to consolidate and update the Instructions to Depository Libraries and the Federal Depository Library Manual (and Supplements), into the FDL Handbook. With the publication of the FDL Handbook, the Instructions and Manual are superseded.

The FDL Handbook is updated as necessary based on changes in the Program and community input.

The Federal Depository Library Directory (FDLD), a service of the Catalog of U.S. Government Publications (CGP), is an interface that allows the public to access, search, and export library directroy information..

The Public Access Assessments program fulfills GPO’s responsibility to conduct “firsthand investigations of conditions” at individual depository libraries. (44USC§1909)

Technological change has increased at such a pace as to make the estimated life span of a computer about two years for newer applications. As agency publication practices run parallel to general technological changes, depository libraries must continue to keep pace.

Starting in 1991, GPO has released minimum technical guidelines for depository libraries. The draft recommendations are shared with the depository community and comments solicited. The final version is announced annually.