U.S. Government Electronic Information Resources: A Start-Up Kit for Small and Medium-Sized Libraries

Abstract

The U.S. Government is the largest producer of information in the world. Through its agencies it creates, gathers, and produces information on topics from the arts to the sciences and for all types of library users –children to senior citizens. Since 1858 the Federal Depository Library Program (F.D.L.P.) has been responsible for collecting, organizing, maintaining, preserving, and providing information from the federal government. Congressionally- designated libraries (up to two per congressional district) receive selected classes of government resources at no cost, and in return are obligated to provide open and free access to this material. These include some of the most useful reference sources at the information desk – the Occupational Outlook Handbook, Statistical Abstract of the United States, and the World Factbook. While depository libraries receive these items free, non-depository libraries have had to purchase these materials from the Government Printing Office (G.P.O.) or a repackaged version from a commercial publisher.