FDLP Quickstart Guide

Details

Last Updated: March 22 2017

Published: October 23 2012

If you are new to the FDLP, the U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) welcomes you. This guide is intended to help you get started with your library’s Federal depository operation.

First Steps

Identify Basic Information about Your Library’s Depository

Depository Library Number

Found in the FDL Directory and on the inside flap of depository shipment boxes. The number includes leading zeroes and may contain a letter at the end, for example, 0463B. Each FDL number is unique. Even if you never receive a shipment, it is important that you know your depository library number so GPO can accurately identify the correct library in communication.

Designation Date and Type of Designation

Both designation date and type of designation can be found in the FDL Directory. If the designation date field is blank GPO does not have the original designation documentation.

Passwords

Passwords give you access to a variety of applications and services. Contact GPO if you are unsure of your passwords. More information about passwords can be found in the Passwords Used by Depository Libraries article.

Your Regional Depository Library

A list of regionals can be found in the FDL Directory. Regional depositories are responsible for developing and managing a comprehensive Federal depository collection and for providing reference and interlibrary loan services to selective depositories within the state or region. They also play a leadership role for all Federal depositories in the state or region and are very good contacts when you have questions about depository collections or depository management issues.

Update Directory Information & Subscribe to FDLP News

• If you are the newly designated coordinator for your library, update your library’s entry in the FDL Directory. As the depository coordinator, you need to keep the directory entry up to date. Thus keeping GPO informed.
• Sign up for the News & Events email service, the official FDLP communication channel, or follow its RSS feed.

Next Steps

Read Requirements and Guidance

Your library accepts specific obligations with Program participation. Read the Legal Requirements and Program Regulations of the Federal Depository Library Program and the associated Guidance.

Learn about Item Numbers and How to Modify Your Library’s Selections

• Locate your library’s item selection profile through Item Lister.
• Become familiar with the Item Number System, the List of Classes, and the non-GPO resource Documents Data Miner 2.
• Learn how to amend your library’s selections through the Amending Your Library’s Selection Profile Guidance article.
• Get a quick overview of the three main resources used to manage your selection profile in the Tools to Manage Your Selection Profile – Quick Start

Learn about Your Library’s Depository Operation

Locate or identify:

• Collection housing locations, including selective housing sites.
• Local procedures for collection processing and management.
• How FDLP content in all formats is identified and made accessible at your library. For example, cataloging, a shelflist (card catalog), or combination of the two.
• Information related to library staff involved in the depository operation and their roles.
• How your library promotes and makes depository resources and services visible.
• Documentation relating to your library’s depository collection. FDLP documentation includes Biennial Survey of Depository Libraries submissions, assessment or inspection reports, and any official selective housing site agreements or other memorandum of understanding.

Plan for FDLP Training

GPO offers training through the FDLP Academy to help you learn about the FDLP and U.S. Government information resources. Opportunities include:

• New Depository Librarian’s Institute
• FDLP webinars and webcasts
• Depository Library Council Meeting and Federal Depository Library Conference Proceedings
• Regional depository library consultation and other training
• Local, state, or national library association programming

Ask Questions

Feel free to reach out to GPO. We’re happy to be of assistance.

• askGPO
• Outreach & Support
• Library Services and Content Management
• U.S. Government Publishing Office
• Contact Outreach and Support

Other helpful sources of information include:

• Your regional depository library
• Non-GPO listservs, for example, GOVDOC-L or DocTech-L

For Regional Depository Library Personnel

• Notify GPO of Regional Depository Coordinator changes.
• Sign up for Regional-L. 
• Identify depository publication discard processes within your state or region.
• Locate your State Plan or State Focused Action Plan (if created).
• Locate the administrative files at your library about the selectives under your purview.
• Determine if there is a communication channel for depositories within the state or region.
• Notify the selectives of a change in depository personnel within the state or region.
• Identify local training or groups involving depositories within the state or region.
• Identify any specific housing arrangements or special agreements for housing the regional depository collection.