In 2008, the Wyoming State Library and the University of Wyoming proposed a pilot program
with the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) to test new strategies to improve access to
federal information for Wyoming residents and to improve training for all Wyoming librarians in
the provision of information services within the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP).
GPO has denied the request, stating that the provisions of chapter 19 of Title 44, U.S. Code do
not give them the authority to approve the proposal.
The Federal Depository Library System
The current structure of the federal depository library system was established by the Depository
Library Act of 1962 [Pub. L. 87-579]. It was this Act which created the Regional Depository
Library (RDL) system. It is codified in 44 U.S.C. §§ 1901-1916.
The Depository Library Act was written during a time of print publications. The administrative
requirements of the program have not been modernized with the advancement of electronic
publications, digitization, and electronic delivery systems.
Chapter 19 of Title 44 requires a regional depository library, preferably one in each state,1 to
oversee discard processes for the selective depository libraries and to provide training and
oversight on operations. The regional depository library must also agree to accept 100% of the
print and microform collections distributed by GPO and must permanently retain one copy of
each publication, except those authorized to be discarded by the Superintendent of Documents.
The need for selective depositories to be under the supervision of a regional depository may have
been compelling in 1962 but should now be re-evaluated. For example, in 1962 training was
provided ‘face-to-face’ and required travel to a physical location. It made sense for training to be
given within a state. Now, webinars and on-line tutorials provide timely opportunities that
require no travel and have no geographic limits. Archived webinars allow individuals to access
training sessions when convenient. Web-sites, blogs and myriad electronic communities connect
librarians and customers.
The importance of “complete” collections within a defined geographic location is becoming
much less important as documents are digitized and finding tools such as ProQuest’s on-line
Monthly Catalog of U.S. Government Publications, 1885-1976 are available. Why would a
library have to keep Smithsonian Publications that have been digitized by the Institution and are
readily available for download if this meets the needs of their customers? Some libraries would
choose to keep the print – others not.
The need for a regional depository to review discard lists creates a “middleman” that is not
necessary in the 21st century. A depository library that wants to select a high percentage of
documents and keep them can do so but smaller institutions could manage their collections more
efficiently. Librarians are trained in collection management. They could post directly to a
1
44U.S.C. §1912 permits no more than 2 Regional Depository Libraries in a state but does not require that each
state establish one.
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national ‘needs and offers’ list and any library could more efficiently fill gaps in its collection
without delays.
The Wyoming Depository Library Community
The Wyoming State Library has served as depository library since it was established in 1871 as
the Territorial Library. It was designated as a regional depository on August 16, 1974 and served
the state in this capacity until 1989. In 1988, a footnote in the state budget required that the State
Librarian and the University of Wyoming review the program and develop a plan to transfer the
functions and responsibilities of the regional depository to the University. This footnote was
enacted in response to the inability of the state library to provide sufficient space for the growing
collection of federal documents and the need to hire staff to process them.
The University of Wyoming was designated as a selective depository in 1907. A great deal of
time was spent in evaluating the option of transferring the regional status from the state library to
the University and, ultimately, the option was rejected. The State Librarian, Wayne Johnson,
then requested a change of status from regional depository to selective depository.
Donald E. Fossedal, Superintendent of Documents, called this request “an unprecedented step”2
and warned that there would be no regional depository in Wyoming to handle discard lists,
requiring all selective depositories in the state to retain unwanted materials indefinitely. These
selective depositories were (including date of designation):
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Natrona County Library (1929)
John Taggart Hinckley Library, Northwest College (1967)
Central Wyoming College Library (1969)
Griffith Memorial Library, Sheridan College (1969)
Hay Library, Western Wyoming College (1969)
Wyoming State Law Library (1977)
George W. Hopper Law Library, University of Wyoming (1978)
Campbell County Public Library System (1980)
Griffith Memorial Library, Sheridan College, withdrew from the FDLP in 2008.
In order to protect the interests of the selective depositories, the State Library contracted with
Utah State Library to serve as the regional library for Wyoming. This contract was in effect from
November, 1990 to June 30, 1996.
On July 1, 1996 the State Library contracted with the University of Colorado – Boulder for
regional oversight. This contract ended on June 30, 2008.
Since Wyoming does not have a regional depository, it is unable to discard outdated print
documents from any of the selective libraries. WSL and UW have requested permission from
GPO to oversee the discard process but Wyoming was denied permission per U.S. Code 44,
2
Donald Fossedal to State Librarian Wayne Johnson, April 7, 1989
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paragraph 1911. (Letter attached) Without a regional depository, Wyoming will be unable to
process any discards thus selective libraries are forced to retain outdated, seldom used materials
in their collections.
There are three solutions to this situation:
1.
WSL or UW agrees to become a regional depository.
This appears to be a simple solution but does not move the FDLP program forward. Significant
resources and shelf space would be dedicated to building a traditional print collection. (Regional
depositories must retain tangible copies of publications, even when electronic substitutions meet
the needs of residents and can be delivered to any location instantly). Neither WSL nor UW
currently has the staff that would be needed to catalog and maintain such a collection and the
state is under a hiring freeze. Other important programs and services of either library would be
negatively impacted under this solution.
2.
WSL provides storage space for discarded materials
WSL has developed a procedure in which selective libraries can inventory and box materials to
be stored in Cheyenne until the items can be discarded. Location of these materials is
maintained in the shared state-wide catalog as ‘remote.’ While this will relieve the pressure at the
selective libraries, it is a short term solution. It does not advance access to government
information and staff time will be unnecessarily directed toward a storage solution rather than
developing access portals.
3.
Wyoming seeks special permission from JCP
Wyoming is ready and able to demonstrate the effectiveness of a new model, working closely
with GPO to ensure training and access for Wyoming residents. We are recommending that the
Wyoming Congressional delegation GPO and the Joint Committee on Printing to permit GPO
oversight of the discard process. GPO will delegate this authority to WSL and UW. The JCP
provides limited authority in these situations and this is rarely exercised. This could open a
dialogue with JCP on the future of information delivery and improving access to government
information.
The second step would be to request that JCP authorize a pilot project between GPO and WSL
and UW to explore a new depository model that incorporates electronic publications, digitization
of federal publications, education for all Wyoming libraries and promotion of federal
publications in Wyoming. This pilot project would assist GPO in testing ideas that further access
to federal information and pilots training and online distribution methods.
Clearly it is time to incorporate new technologies within the program and Wyoming is an ideal
state to implement and test strategies that will advance the FDLP and improve access to critical
federal information.
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