Regional Depository Libraries in the 21st Century: A Preliminary Assessment

摘要

The Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) operates under the authority and mandates of 44 United States Code SCSC1901-1916. The existing structure of selective and regional depository libraries dates back to the Depository Library Act of 1962, which established regional depository libraries. In September 2007, the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) sent a request to the Joint Committee on Printing (JCP) forapproval of a proposed shared regional designation between the University of Kansas and the University of Nebraska. While the JCP did not approve the request, there was concern that the Kansas/Nebraska proposal may signal that growing challenges confront regional depositorylibraries in maintaining and supporting effective public access through the FDLP. The JCP directed GPO, in consultation with all concerned elements of the library community, to undertake a thorough examination of the current state of regional depository libraries nationwide. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the extent to which public access via the FDLP may be impaired by current and projected organizational, financial, technological, or other conditions affecting these institutions. A report was transmitted to the JCP by June 1, 2008. Per their request, GPO identified the report as draft and it was posted on the FDLP Desktop for public comment at . All comments were reviewed and revisions were incorporated into this final report of the findings and GPOs resulting recommendations to the JCP.