The Federal Depository Library Program has a comprehensive website with much information on their activities. If you might work in a depository library, you need to be familiar with this site.
The basic depository library documents are also available on the web.
1. A colleague has asked you for a list of U.S. federal government depository libraries in Virginia. Which library has the most comprehensive collection of U.S. federal government items?
2. How are U.S. government publications organized in your local library? Where will you find these titles? How are they classed?
3. Examine the List of Classes of United States Government Publications Available for Selection by Depository Libraries [GP 3.24:]. Can you find classes that are obviously essential for nearly any library? Can you find classes that would seem to be inappropriate for nearly any library? What are the major problems associated with selecting items by batch or group?
4. The literature states that until fairly recently about 60 percent of depository items were distributed in a microfiche format. How do the Libraries handle depository items on fiche? Examine one or more depository microfiche products and comment on the threats and opportunities found in distribution of federal information in this format.
*5. Conduct a literature search on U.S. federal government depository libraries. How would you characterize the literature written in the last three years? Work from titles and abstracts. It is not necessary to read the literature. You should be able to characterize from the citation.
6. The Depository Library System increasingly provides access to government information only available on the web. Comment on the threats and opportunities if desposiory libraries primarily serve those who do not have other access to the Internet?
7. As government information moves to the web, what justification is there for a library to retain depository status?
8. The FDLP Desktop is intended to provide access to news about the depository library system. Thoughtfully browse the website, including the Administrative News. Based on what you see, what major issues face depository libraries?
9. The Northwest Government Information Network hosts a blog that deals with depository library issues at all level of government. Based on thoughtful browsing, what are the major concerns seen here?
10. A major role for future depository libraries may be in providing web-mediated instruction and guidance for users who do not visit the library and use physical collections. Would this role justify a separate government information unit or would it make more sense to integrate these activities into the reference department.
Last major revision: August 2006.
