# Presentation: 912077

## Access and the Federal Depository Libraries

## Definition of Free Access	

**Free access as defined by GPO means that any member of the general public can use Government information products in all media at the library without impediments.**
**Providing free access by the general public to the resources of the documents collection, including electronic resources, is a fundamental obligation of all Federal depository libraries.**

## Guidelines for the Federal Depository Library Program	

**1-1 The purpose of depository libraries is to make U.S. Government information regardless of format accessible to the public and to provide for its continued availability in the future.**
**1-2 The purpose shall be achieved by a system of cooperation wherein depository libraries will select Federal public information at no charge in return for making it freely accessible to the public in their Congressional district or local area.**

## Guidelines continued...

**1-3 These guidelines mandate the level of performance required of all depositories unless otherwise specified by statute or regulations. **
**8-1 Libraries must make depository information available for the free use of the public in the library.**
**8-3 The selection of items in electronic format assumes that the library will take reasonable steps to assist the public in their use. When appropriate, this includes providing the user with instruction in running the application and developing search strategies. If the library does not own the appropriate hardware or software, it should be willing to help the user locate a site at which the product can be used.**

## The Rules Apply To....

- Federal Depository Libraries
- Selective Housing Sites for FDLs
- Other libraries where documents may be located, but which report to the same library director

## Recurring Access Problems

- Limited Physical Access to the Library Building
- Limited Physical Access to Library Resources
- Limited Access to Computers and Online Only Resources
- Limited Bibliographic Access

## Limited Physical Access to the Library Building	

- Limited Library Hours for the Public
- Requirements to Show Identification
- Age Restrictions
- Limited Access Due to Lack of ADA Compliance
- Swipe cards to Access the Library Building

## Limited Physical Access to Library Resources

- Closed Stacks or Offsite Storage and Limited Staff to Assist in Locating Resources
- Databases With Licensing Restrictions to Primary Clientele Only
- Materials Placed on Reserve Which Requires Identification to Access the Resource
- ADA Issues in Library Stacks or Computer Workstations

## Access to Computers Limited		

- Public Patrons Have Limited Scope: .mil; .gov; .fed Domains Plus Selected Other Resources
- Identification is Required to Use Computers
- Filters Which Cannot be Turned Off in Place
- Age Restrictions (Must Have Approval of Parent if Under the Age of 18...)
- Login and Passwords Are Required to Use Computers

## Limited Bibliographic Access	

- Documents are NOT Cataloged and Shelflist is Not Complete or Maintained
- Documents Located in Off-Site Storage, Closed Stacks, or in Selective Housing Sites Even Less Likely to be Accessible or Visible
- Tape Load Dumps Do NOT Replace Piece Level Records or Bibliographic Access

## Questions for Depository Librarians

- What other access issues are you familiar with that have not been raised today?
- Do you have requirements for ID in your library for primary clientele? For the general public?
- If you have requirements for ID and the patron cannot meet those requirements, what is the process for providing access to depository resources? Are all necessary personnel aware of the procedure?

## Questions continued....

- Are there any signs posted that may inhibit access?
- Are these signs located at the entrance to the library?
- Are these signs located on or near  computer workstations?

## Slide 13

## Slide 14

## Questions continued....

- How many of you have access policies?
- Are they general access policies, electronic access policies, or service guidelines?
- How many have access policies posted on the Web?

## Questions continued....	

- How many folks have Web pages for the Federal depository collection?
- Do the Web pages include the FDLP logo?
- Do the Web pages include the statutory language guaranteeing free access as shown in 44 USC §1911?

## The Really Big Question...for Web Pages	

- How many here have recently checked all of the library’s Web pages for policies and statements that may inhibit free public access?

## Where Do We Go From Here?Future Trends....	

- Increasing Use of Identification Requirements
- Increasing Limits for Computer Access
- Increasing reliance by Federal agencies on disseminating information via an electronic format
- State and Local Law Requirements

## Where Do We Go From Here...continued

- With the continued increase of computers available from the home, will we continue to see high use of computers in the libraries?
- For online electronic resources, do limits to specific domains constitute a limitation of access, or is it similar to the selection profile decisions made for tangible products?