Request for Comments: Firsthand Investigations Draft Policy

The Superintendent of Documents seeks your comments on the draft policy, Firsthand Investigations of Federal Depository Libraries (SOD-PPS-9-2026). This is a proposed revision of Superintendent of Documents Policy SOD 312.

The purpose of this public policy statement is to provide a framework to implement flexible and streamlined firsthand investigations of Federal depository libraries, as required by statute. Major provisions of the policy include in-depth investigations that are conducted when serious non-compliance issues are discovered and spot-checks that are based on a sample of libraries.

You are strongly encouraged to submit comments by Tuesday, August 18, 2026. Your voice is important!