Introduction
As GPO moves to a digital Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP), GPO will reduce tangible distribution to Federal depository libraries (FDLs). The number of titles and copies available for print distribution will decrease as GPO works to deliver permanent no-fee public access to digital content for people seeking U.S. Government information. This new, limited print distribution model acknowledges the different print needs and requirements of the National Collection Service Areas (NCSAs). Cost savings on printing, postage, and processing will allow GPO’s Library Services & Content Management (LSCM) to increase investment in digital content management initiatives that serve FDLs and patrons’ Government information needs.
National Collection Service Areas:
In a 2015 letter approving the Superintendent of Documents policy to allow regional depository libraries to discard materials, the Joint Committee on Printing (JCP) stipulated there be no fewer than four geographically dispersed tangible copies of a publication in the FDLP. GPO then developed NCSAs that group Federal depository libraries into four regions: Midwest, Northeast, South, and West.
NCSAs:
- Ensure geographically dispersed permanent public access to Federal Government information products.
- Encourage resource sharing among depository libraries.
- Receive services from LSCM.
To see where your library fits within the NCSA framework (Midwest, Northeast, South and West), please consult the National Collection Service Areas map, or search for your library’s entry in the FDL Directory (FDLD). For a list of all the depository libraries in each NCSA, you can follow these links to the FDLD: Midwest, Northeast, South, and West.
GPO will continue to manage the National Collection of U.S. Government Public Information. To inquire about a print copy, please contact us via askGPO.
NCSAs will meet regularly to discuss collaborative collection development planning. A representative from the Depository Library Council (DLC) will serve in each NCSA as a liaison along with GPO’s LSCM staff to help facilitate discussion and inform decision-making. If you would like to reach out to your NCSA representative, their names and contact information are below:
- Midwest: Richard Leiter, Nebraska College of Law Library
- Northeast: Joshua Finnell, Colgate University
- South: Valerie Glenn, Virginia Commonwealth University
- West: Jen Kirk, Utah State University
As GPO works to build and develop the NCSAs, we have outlined a set of assumptions:
- Each NCSA will have a steering committee and periodic meetings.
- The FDLs that receive a particular title may change over time.
- GPO will take responsibility, at its own expense, for relocating portions of depository collections based on need or agreement within a NCSA.
- At least one print copy of each title within a NCSA will be available for delivery to other FDLs using interlibrary loan (ILL) systems.
- Resource sharing and consortia agreements are already in place, and libraries will continue to use these.
- At least one print copy of each title within a NCSA will be included in a Preservation Steward Partnership agreement.
- GPO will provide a long-term collection management and preservation plan outline for each NCSA to customize, which will include provisions for a Last Copy policy and procedures.
- Agency printing will continue to decline.
- GPO staff will always be available for assistance and consulting.
Print Distribution Titles List (PDT):
The Print Distribution Titles List (PDT) consists of titles that will continue to be distributed in paper-format. The quantity of copies available fall into three categories:
- Unlimited distribution titles will be distributed at current selection quantities and include the U.S. Code, Statutes at Large, U.S. Reports, Constitution of the United States (Analysis & Interpretation, including supplements), House and Senate Journals, and Bound Congressional Record Index, Statutes at Large, and U.S. Reports.
- 20-copy titles include Serial (both the bound version and related individual House and Senate Reports and Documents), Bound Congressional Record, Senate Executive Journal, and select maps.
- 50-copy titles include all other titles on the PDT list.
The PDT List is not static and may change over time. An example of this is if a publishing Federal agency discontinues a title or determines a title is only to be available as a digital publication.
In order to be eligible to receive print, your federal depository library must meet these minimum requirements:
- Follow 44 U.S.C. § 1911 requirement to retain for the first five years, but also agree not to supersede or electronically substitute during that time.
- Commit to offer nationally in FDLP eXchange, if weeding after the five-year retention commitment has been met.
- Commit to catalog and make all print receipts discoverable via the library’s integrated library system (ILS) to support interlibrary loan or in-library access to the print format.
On February 2, 2024, the Superintendent of Documents released the allocations of the PDT list. Federal depository libraries receiving the limited allocations of PDT have confirmed and acknowledged the acceptance of retention requirements going forward for the tangible print distribution.
Titles not on the PDT List that meet select criteria may be distributed via Special Selection Offers (SSOs).
Resources:
- Print Distribution Titles List, Library Allocations (July 2024)
- Print Distribution Titles (PDT) List
- Digital FDLP Implementation FAQs
- PDT Questionnaire Preview (For FDLs to indicate interest in receiving print titles - December 6, 2023)
- Determining Print Distribution Criteria: Questionnaire Responses (December 19, 2023)
- PDT Information Questionnaire Results (October 31, 2023)
- Letter from Superintendent of Documents: Reducing Titles & Copies for Tangible Distribution (August 17, 2023)
- Evolution of a Digital FDLP: A Transition Timeline PDF document | Web page
- Evolution of a Digital FDLP: A Brief History
- Task Force on a Digital FDLP project page (archived)
Presentations & Meetings:
- PDT Implementation & Preservation Steward Updates (Spring 2024 DLC Virtual Meeting, May 2024)
- State of the FDLP (Spring 2024 DLC Virtual Meeting, May 2024)
- Digital Depository: FDL Operations Insights Panel/Digital FDLP Stewardship (Spring 2024 DLC Virtual Meeting, May 2024)
- NCSA Collaborative Collection Development Meetings (November 2023)
- New FDLP Print Distribution Framework (preparatory handout for NCSA November Meetings)
- Digital FDLP Community Conversation (Fall 2023 Federal Depository Library Conference, October 2023)
- Open Discussion with Council: Transition to a Digital FDLP (Fall 2023 Federal Depository Library Conference, October 2023)
- Implementation of a Digital FDLP: NCSA Virtual Meetings (September 2023)
- Presentation to Regionals and Preservation Stewards on Print Reduction (September 2023)
- GPO Superintendent of Documents Talks Digital FDLP (June 2023)
- NCSA Meetings (February 2022)
Updates:
- May/June 2024 Digital FDLP Implementation Updates (July 10, 2024)
- GPO Appoints NCSA Steering Committee Members (March 25, 2024)
- Updates to the List of Classes and DSIMS Interface (March 22, 2024)
- Print Distribution Updates (February 22, 2024)
- FDLP Announces List of Print Distribution Titles Allocated to Libraries (February 2, 2024)
- Progress Update on Print Reduction for a Digital FDLP (January 31, 2024)