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U.S. Federal Depository Library Program
What is the Federal Depository Library Program?The Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) safeguards one of our nation’s strongest traditions -- the public’s right to know. As one of the first Federal Depository Libraries in the country, the U.S. Department of the Interior Library takes this charge seriously -- upholding it in the service it provides to both the Federal government and the ordinary citizen. Established by Congress in the mid 1800s, the Federal Depository Library Program has collected, organized, and preserved information produced by all parts of the Federal government, distributed this information to designated libraries accross the country, and assisted people in locating and using it. Since 1895, the program has been administered and enhanced by the Government Printing Office (GPO). The mission of Federal depository libraries is to provide local, free access to information from the Federal government in an impartial environment. Federal depository libraries select materials from lists of subjects provided by the Government Printing Office. The depository library must then provide the public with free and uninhibited access to these selected materials. Federal depository collections are available for use by everyone. Documents in print and electronic formats are available on a wide range of topics relevant to the general public and to professionals, researchers, and students in a variety of fields. Selections for inclusion into the collections of individual depository libraries are made according to the needs of each library’s users. The U.S. Department of the Interior Library collects transcripts of House and Senate hearings, committee prints, and other Congressional materials. The library also collects titles produced by executive agencies on science and technology, nature and wildlife, geology, energy, the environment, Native Americans, and much more.
Catalog of U.S. Government PublicationsThe Catalog of U.S. Government Publications (CGP) is the finding tool for electronic and print publications from the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the U.S. government. These publications make up the National Bibliography of U.S. Government Publications. The CGP contains descriptive records for historical and current publications and provides direct links to those that are available online. ScopeMore than 500,000 records generated since July 1976 are contained in the CGP and it is updated daily. The catalog will grow to include records for publications dating back to the late 1800s, making the CGP the central point for locating new and historical Government publications. The CGP is the online counterpart of the Monthly Catalog of United States Government Publications, which dates from the passage of the Printing Act of 1895. At present the Monthly Catalog should be consulted for pre-1976 indexing. The Monthly Catalog and many of the publications indexed in it were distributed through the Federal Depository Library Program. Features
Federal Depository Library Program items selected by the U.S. Department of the Interior Library
The table shows classification numbers, item titles, producing agency, item frequency, and item format. Currently, the U.S. Department of the Interior Library selects over 600 separate item types (or item numbers) from the Federal Depository Library Program for inclusion in the Library’s collections. Locating other Federal Depository librariesEveryone is welcome to visit Federal depository libraries and use their collections. Federal depository libraries are located in nearly every U.S. Congressional district. Altogether, there are almost 1,350 sites across the United States and its territories.
Federal Depository Library Program online publicationsOnline publication of government information complements and extends the activities of the Federal Depository Library Program. The FDLP Electronic Collections include:
The U.S. Department of the Interior Library has prepared links to commonly used Federal government publications, as well as links to commonly used publications of the Department of the Interior. A key component of the Government Printing Office’s strategy to provide permanent public access to Government information is GPO Access, GPO’s legislatively-mandated online service. The Government Printing Office Electronic Information Access Enhancement Act of 1993 (codified at 44 U.S.C. Chapter 41) requires the Superintendent of Documents to:
GPO is responsible for permanent access to the Government information products residing on GPO Access, but ensuring permanent access to the broad range of products in the FDLP Electronic Collection extends GPO’s responsibilities beyond the GPO Access databases. Special indexes of Federal information on the InternetSome Federal Depository libraries have gone the extra mile to make Federal information accessible on the Internet. Here’s a sample of their projects:
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