Government Documents

  What is the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP)?

Established by Congress to ensure the American public has access to its Government's information, the Federal Depository Library Program provides the public with Government information, when and where it is needed, in order to ensure an informed citizenry and an improved quality of life. The mission of the Federal Depository Library Program is to provide for no-fee ready and permanent public access to Federal Government information, now and for future generations.

We are a Selective Federal Depository Library.

The Depository Library system was established to provide the general public with the means of examining annual reports, statistics, research studies and other materials produced by federal agencies. As the Federal Government has grown and developed, so has the Depository Library system.

Of the Depository Libraries in the United States, there are 51 are Regional Depository Libraries which receive all publications available for distribution through the U.S. Government Printing Office. The remaining libraries choose only those categories of documents which best develop their collections and serve their public.

When a library is designated a Federal Depository, it becomes part of a national network. This network helps all members of the public understand their government and its activities by making available publications issued by various government agencies.

The print materials we receive as part of the program are located in the reference section on the first floor of the library.  All of the other government publications in our collection exist electronically in digital format and can be accessed 24/7/365 through our library catalog, through a Primo library search, or through federal government sites referenced in our research guides.

What are Government documents?

Government publications are issued by the legislative, executive and judicial branches of the Federal Government.

What is govinfo? 

• a source for free U.S. Government information for all

• a service of the United States Government Publishing Office (GPO), which is a Federal agency in the legislative branch.

• provides free public access to official publications from all three branches of the Federal Government.

• also includes a content management system and a standards-compliant preservation repository.