The Process of Electronic Transition of the Federal Depository Library Program in the United States, and Its Background

Abstract

The Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) in the United States has had a role of ensuring free access to government publications since the middle of the 19th century. This Program has been faced to demands for reform as more government information was disseminated in electronic formats. The Government Printing Office (GPO), which administers the FDLP, has developed the "GPO Access", an online-database for federal government information, with the enactment of the GPO Electronic Information Access Enhancement Act of 1993. In addition, since 1996 the GPO has been promoting electronic transition of the FDLP based on the partnerships comprised of the GPO, other federal organizations and depository libraries in order to ensure permanent access to electronic government information. However, despite these reforms, the FDLP has not radically changed its structure so as to meet the electronic environment. This article analyzes this process and challenges for electronic transition of the FDLP, and its background, especially policy-making issues.