The Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) is outlined in Chapter 19 of Title 44 of the U. S. Code and is administered by the U. S. Government Printing Office (GPO).

Statement of Purpose:  “Objectives of the Depository Library System”

“The purpose of depository libraries is to make U.S. Government publications easily accessible to the general public and to insure their continued availability in the future.  The purpose shall be achieved by a system of cooperation wherein depository libraries will receive free Federal public documents in return for making them accessible to the general public in their areas.” 
(Guidelines for the Depository Library System, Depository Library Council to the Public Printer, revised 1993)

As a selective depository since 1968, USA Library receives approximately 60% of the materials distributed through the FDLP.  Item selections are amended through annual updates:  new item numbers are selected and outdated ones are deleted.  All items from the “Suggested Core Collection” for Academic Libraries and “Basic Collection” of the Federal Depository Library Manual (1993) are selected.  Materials received are arranged by the Superintendent of Documents (SuDocs) Classification System.

Once received, the Library is obligated to keep selected materials for five years.  Exceptions to this retention period are outlined in the Superseded List as updated by GPO.  After the five-year period, the Depository Librarian determines whether to retain items for historical/research needs or withdraw them through normal weeding procedures according to Chapter 4 of the Instruction to Depository Libraries (1992).   Materials removed from the collection through the withdrawal process, will be offered to other libraries in accordance with the exchange policies of the FDLP, and as regulated by the 2 state regional libraries:  University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa) and Auburn University at Montgomery. 

Decisions on whether depository materials identified as missing or lost will be replaced, will be made based on the availability, price or public demand.  Non-depository or fugitive government publications are acquired from sources outside the depository program, by going directly to the government agency.  Deposit accounts with government agencies (e.g., GPO, NTIS, Census) have been set up to facilitate the acquisition of materials.  In addition, non-governmental publications may be acquired to supplement the collection.  Commercially-produced indexes, abstracts, bibliographies, and directories useful in the identification and use of federal government publications are acquired for the LC-Class collection within the Government Documents Dept.

Subject Boundaries

The collection at the USA University Library is strong in census, congressional materials, education, government, labor, justice, military history, weather, marine sciences, geological sciences, health sciences, and international topics.  The collection is less strong in scientific and technical reports.  These boundaries reflect the programs at USA.

Programs Supported

• Degree Programs.

All degree programs in general.

• Collection Support.

The primary purpose of the collection is to support the basic research needs of undergraduate and graduate programs.  Faculty research is also supported with the emphasis on statistical data and historical materials.

 Clientele Served

Depository status prescribes that all inhabitants in the 1st U. S. Congressional District should be served by the U. S. Depository Collection at the USA University Library.  However, the students and faculty of the University are the primary users, with residents of the area as a secondary group.

Language Coverage

Materials that are received are primarily in English, although a few popular titles appear in translation, most often in Spanish.  Materials that are retained are primarily in English.

Chronological Emphasis

Emphasis is on current materials, although materials with historical merit are retained.  Retrospective materials may be selected or purchased to fill gaps in existing holdings or in response to specific requests.

Geographical Limitations

Emphasis is on the United States, Alabama, and surrounding states (Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi) and Gulf of Mexico states (Louisiana and Texas).

Material Formats

Paper format is preferred for heavily-used materials and those of general interest.  When there is an option of choosing paper or microfiche, paper is generally selected for high use (e.g., CFR), though microfiche is selected for high volume materials (e.g., Congressional hearings).  Microfiche and electronic products are selected when the items are not available in paper.

Types of Materials

1.  The following types of materials are selected for most agencies:  annual reports, general publications, yearbooks, statistical publications, bibliographies, periodicals, significant monographs, significant series, and bulletins.

2.  The following types of materials are selected on a limited basis depending on the issuing agency:  handbooks, manuals, guides, pamphlets, directories, maps, and posters.

3.  The following types of materials are generally not selected:  forms for internal government use, handbooks/manuals for administering Federal programs, and highly technical reports outside the scope of the curriculum of USA.

A. Report in tabular form appended

V  COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS

Formal Agreements

There is currently an agreement between the University Library and the Biomedical Library to house medical-related materials from the depository program at the Biomedical Library. 

Area Resources

Other libraries within one-hour radius from University of South Alabama having depository status include:
Spring Hill College in Mobile, AL (15% selected)

Current Publications

• List of Classes of the U. S. Government Publications Available for Selection by Depository Libraries  (GP 3.24: )
• New Products for Sale from the Superintendent of Documents  (GP 3.17/6: )
• Subject Bibliography (GP 3.22/2: )
• United States Government Information : Publications, Periodicals, Electronic Products.  (GP 3.17/5: )
• U. S. Government Subscriptions  (GP 3.9: )
• Publication catalogs from Government Agencies
• Governmental Agencies Publication Web Pages
• “Notable Documents”, Library Journal

Retrospective Publications

• Needs and Offers Web Site (http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/tools/needs_of/index.html)
• “N&O:” from GOVDOC-L (Internet Listserv)
• Alabama Selective Libraries Discard Lists
• Publication catalogs from Government Agencies
• Governmental Agencies Publication Web Pages

Rev. 10/29/2007