Launched in 2021, LSCM Pilot Projects are focused initiatives designed to enhance the National Collection of U.S. Government Public Information and to help Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) libraries make Government information more discoverable for the public.

Library Services & Content Management (LSCM) collaborates with Federal depository library participants to conduct pilot projects in support of the FDLP. Though GPO does not have gift or grant authority as an agency, LSCM can carry out projects in conjunction with libraries and can assist by providing resources and services on targeted initiatives.

Pilot projects address the areas of cataloging, condition assessment, inventory, and the conservation of Federal Government documents.

In an effort to maximize public access, LSCM will prioritize project proposals that minimize duplication or overlap with content digitized by GPO partners, or the collaborative project between GPO and the Law Library of Congress to make the U.S. Congressional Serial Set publicly available.

Digitization will be non-destructive, unless characteristics of the publication make non-destructive digitization unfeasible. GPO will consult with the library if a publication needs to be disbound or otherwise altered for digitization.

Pilot Project Opportunity 1

Pilot Project Opportunity 1 was open for submissions September 1 -October 15, 2021, and Utah State University’s Merrill Cazier Library (MCL) was selected to participate.

Through the pilot, GPO teammates visited MCL to assess the condition of tangible documents, conduct item-level inventories, and catalog and digitize Government collections. GPO cataloged and digitized over 1,000 documents, pamphlets, and other materials from World War II-era civil defense publications.  

Pilot Project 1 was completed in May 2025. Learn more by visiting Pilot Project 1’s project page.

Pilot Project Opportunity 2

The second pilot project opportunity, Pilot Project Opportunity 2, is scoped as follows:

• Cataloging, item-level inventory, condition assessment, and digitization of a collection of 200-300 Federal Government print publications focused on a state, region, common theme, or topic, and preferably those without records in the Catalog of U.S. Government Publications.
a. Suggested collections may include, but are not limited to:
i. Publications issued by regional Federal offices or agencies.
ii. Publications in the areas of voting, civil rights, women’s suffrage, or tribal rights.
iii. Publications on environmental or geographic region-based topics, such as waterways, land rights, energy sources, or establishment of national parks.

 

Pilot Project Opportunity 2 was open for submissions March 1 - April 15, 2022. The University of North Texas Libraries was selected as the second LSCM Pilot Project participant. Read the FDLP News Alert on the announcement.

Learn more about the development of this initiative by visiting Pilot Project 2’s project page.

How can an FDLP library participate?

If your library is interested in participating in an LSCM Pilot Project, please download and complete the Pilot Project Proposal Application. Next, log in to your library’s FDLP account in askGPO. Under ‘More,’ click on Pilot Project Application. Complete the required fields, and then upload the completed Project Application as an attachment.

For questions about the Pilot Projects

If you have questions about the project process, contact us at askGPO. Log in before submitting your question, and select the category ‘Other depository library question or issue.’

A webinar, LSCM Pilot Projects: the Application Process, was presented on Wednesday, February 16, 2022. View the recording to learn more about LSCM Pilot Projects, how to apply, and the evaluation process.