GPO is a member of the LOCKSS (Lots of Copies Keep Stuff Safe) Alliance. LOCKSS provides libraries with digital preservation tools and support so they can collect and preserve their own copies of authorized electronic content.

GPO’s work in this area is in keeping with our mission to provide permanent public access to official Federal Government publications in print and electronic formats through the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP). The FDLP was established by Congress to ensure that the American public has access to its Government’s information. Since 1813, depository libraries have safeguarded the public’s right to know by collecting, organizing, maintaining, preserving, and assisting users with information from the Federal Government.

In a July 2010 interview in Library Journal (LJ), Ric Davis, GPO's acting Superintendent of Documents, told LJ that libraries working with GPO have expressed interest in having FDsys established as a trusted digital repository as well as the possibility of having their own local copy of GPO content.

"The foundation of the Federal Depository Library Program was built on a distributed model, with tangible publications being held throughout the country," Davis said. "We're looking at how we can continue that activity in the electronic world."

GPO's participation in the LOCKSS alliance is a step toward fulfilling the interests that have been expressed by the Federal depository library community.