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Southern Methodist University
Central University Libraries
Government Information And Map Resources Department
Getting Started With Government Documents
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GPO And FDLP : FDLP
FDLP = Federal Depository Library Program
- How GPO makes federal information products available to the general public
- Program informed by the principle of the "informed democracy"
- Titles GPO deems to be of "high public interest or educational value" are made available under FDLP
- Program of distributed access -- specially designated institutions serve as custodians for government publications -- publications are received "free of charge", but, in reality, in exchange for the designated institution taking responsibility for organizing publications and making them accessible
- Depository libraries = custodial institutions -- established by law or designated by Congressional representatives -- one depository (at least) for each U. S. Congressional District -- currently, app. 1400 depository libraries across the country
- 2 kinds of depositories:
Regional Depositories = serve as permanent archives for ALL depository titles -- receive and retain everything -- 2 in Texas -- Texas Tech, Texas State Library (Austin) -- also have administrative responsibilities
Selective Depositories = intended to serve particular constituencies -- elect to receive only certain titles offered by GPO according to needs / desires of local clientele -- relatively new phenomenon
- That said, there are approximately 20 "core documents" ALL depositories are expected to receive / retain
- Depository status can be revoked or resigned -- but doing so means surrendering ALL depository titles -- these publications remain the property of the U. S. Government -- they are truly in the "public domain"
