Since its founding, UCI Libraries have been a member of the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP), helping ensure access to United States government public records.

Through FDLP libraries, the US Government Publishing Office (GPO) provides free public access to US federal documents and resources. Serving as a FDLP member entails maintaining a physical collection of materials as well as, increasingly, helping library patrons navigate the vast collection of US government materials available online.

ABOUT US GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS AND FDLP

As one of the largest publishers in the world, the US government issues congressional bills, laws, regulations, presidential documents, studies, and more every day. Established by the US Congress in 1813, FDLP was designed to provide free and permanent public access to these US government documents through a network of designated libraries.

Administered by the US GPO, FDLP is part the effort to capture and make publicly accessible every US government document through the National Collection of US Government Public Information (National Collection). Public documents include

• budget and census data,
• federal legislation and regulations,
• hearings,
• maps,
• statistics,
• historical publications dating back to the early days of the United States, and
• historical records of major US foreign policy decisions that have been declassified and edited for publication. 

For links to these document sources and more, visit the UCI Libraries US Government Information Library Guide.  

EXPERT ASSISTANCE

Antoinette Avila, UCI Libraries reference assistant supervisor and FDLP liaison, explained that much of these government documents have been digitized and are now available online, but the sheer volume of documents and media can be daunting. 

“As a FDLP member, UCI Libraries play an important role,” said Avila. “Our information specialists can help researchers and the general public locate federal documents and navigate large federal repositories.”

Through expert reference assistance, Avila says librarians and staff can help patrons search and identify records and facilitate access to materials located online, within UCI Libraries, and at other libraries.

For more details about the types of US government documents available, visit the UCI Libraries US Government Information Library Guide, or visit our Ask a Librarian webpage to chat with, email, or schedule an appointment with UCI Libraries Reference Services.