About the FDLP

  • Last Updated: October 29, 2026
  • Published: October 28, 2026

Mission

The mission of the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) is to provide free, ready, and permanent public access to Federal Government information, now and for future generations.

Vision

The vision of the FDLP is to provide Government information when and where it is needed in order to create an informed citizenry and an improved quality of life.

This is achieved through:

  1. Organizing processes that enable desired information to be identified and located.
  2. Expert assistance rendered by trained professionals in a network of libraries.
  3. Collections of publications at a network of libraries.
  4. Archived online information dissemination products from GovInfo, Federal agency websites, and partner websites.

About the Program

The U.S. Government is the largest publisher in the world. Every day the U.S. Government issues congressional bills, laws, regulations, presidential documents, studies, and more on a variety of topics. The Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP), administered by the U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO), was established by Congress to ensure that the American public has access to its Government's information. 

Since 1813, select U.S. Government documents have been made available throughout the United States and its territories to designated Federal depository libraries. Approximately 1,100 FDLP libraries are located throughout the country and in U.S. territories. Find FDLP libraries using the Federal Depository Library Directory.

FDLP libraries play a prominent role in providing Federal Government information to the public, collaborating on a local and national level to provide informed access to both historical and current Federal Government resources. 

Anyone can visit Federal depository libraries and use the Federal depository collections, both digital and tangible, which are filled with information on careers, business opportunities, consumer information, health and nutrition, legal and regulatory information, demographics, and more.

The laws establishing the FDLP are among the oldest “right-to-know” statutes passed by the U.S. Congress; the Program traces its roots to 1813.  Today, the authority for the FDLP is codified in Chapters 17, 19, and 41, Title 44, U.S. Code. Members of Congress may designate libraries in their state or district as depository libraries, subject to availability and eligibility under 44 USC §1905 and §1912.

In 2021, in response to a recommendation of the Depository Library Council (DLC), GPO Director Hugh Halpern established a Task Force to study the feasibility of a digital FDLP.  The Task Force determined the FDLP could and should move to a digital-first program. Learn more about GPO’s implementation of a digital FDLP.

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