GPO Prepares to Become First Federal Agency Named as Trustworthy Digital Repository for Government Information

  • Last Updated: December 31, 1969
  • Published: December 18, 2014

The U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) is preparing to become the first Federal agency to be named as a Trustworthy Digital Repository for Government information through certification of its flagship Federal Digital System (FDsys) under ISO 16363.

The Audit and Certification of Trustworthy Digital Repositories (TDR) checklist will be used by an accredited outside organization to assess FDsys against 109 criteria covering Organizational Infrastructure, Digital Object Management, and Infrastructure and Security Risk Management. While a number of digital repositories have already been certified as TRAC-compliant, none of them are operated by Federal agencies. A certification under ISO 16363 will reinforce GPO’s commitment to its mission of ensuring effective public access to Government information through its assured preservation in digital formats.

To begin the audit process, GPO is being named today by the Library of Congress and the National Institute of Museum and Library Services as one of 5 institutions to receive a resident through the National Digital Stewardship Residency (NDSR) program. Under this program, host institutions are provided with a resident for one year to work on a significant digital stewardship project. GPO’s NDSR resident will work on preparation for the audit and certification of FDsys as an ISO 16363 Trustworthy Digital Repository.

Read the Library of Congress’ press release.

Learn about ISO 16363.

“We are pleased and honored to be selected for participation in the 2015-16 National Digital Stewardship Residency,” said GPO Director Davita Vance-Cooks.“ The expertise we will be provided with will advance our goal of being certified as a Trustworthy Digital Repository for the over 1 million titles stored on FDsys, ensuring that the public will continue to have ready access to this Government information for years to come.”