Value of Participating in the FDLP: How Depository Coordinators Can Effectively Convey This Message
Mary Prophet - Deputy Director
Denison University Libraries

The Question:

 With all the government information now available via the internet,  is it still beneficial for this library to remain part of the Federal Depository Library System?
Some Comparative figures
June 1990-March 1991
Documents Received 
 Paper - 5,637	
 Microfiche - 2,148
 Maps - 1,326
 CDs and Floppy discs - 72
June 2001-March 2002
Documents Received
 Paper - 1,699
 Microfiche - 1,942
 Maps - 1,058
 Computer Disks - 159
Percent Change 
 Paper		Down 70%
 Microfiche	Down   9%
 Maps		Down  2%
 Disc		UP     120%  
Some Costs to Consider: 
reality checks
 Square Footage costs
 Currently running for new construction approximately $140.00 per Sq. Ft.
 Growth Rate for the physical collection has slowed reducing need for new space
 Shelving & storage Costs 




Some Costs to Consider: 
reality checks

 Staffing Costs
 1/3 FTE Professional Staff, 1FTE Support Staff, 1 FTE Student Staff
 Will fewer physical items mean this staffing level can be reduced?

Some Costs to Consider: 
reality checks
 Office Supply Costs  
 Printing Costs 
 Cataloging Costs
 Computer Equipment Costs 

What are we still getting in tangible formats

 Essential Titles for Public Use in Paper Format
 Materials not available online
 Materials that are incomplete online
 Materials that are unreliable online
 Materials that serve special needs populations
What are we still getting in tangible formats
 Materials whose electronic dissemination costs are larger than tangible distribution costs.
 Materials with legal requirements to distribute in tangible format.


Available Electronic Subscriptions
 StatUSA
 Environmental Health Perspectives



$ Value of Depository Collections
 Historical Collections
 See Bibliography
 Current and future distributions in physical format and electronic subscriptions
Going beyond monetary value and cost effectiveness studies


Conveying the message
 Basics
 You must be convinced yourself - Know what you are selling and why
 Be able to look at the big picture and establish a reputation for looking at the big picture
 Choose your battles
 Give when it is reasonable to give
 Defend what is absolutely necessary
Show the usefulness of the collection: both old and new
 When you provide help to either your primary users or community user go the extra distance.
 When possible give presentations at local civic organizations
 Nothing works quite as well as having the University President's Rotary buddy wax lyrical the service given by the documents department

Show the usefulness of the collection: both old and new -2
 Use your display spaces to good effect.
 When possible display documents in the director's, provost's or president's area of interest
 Include Documents in as many library displays as possible
 identify them as documents
 Use multiple formats if possible including web resources
Depository requirement = benefits for library 
 Minimum technical standards can insure that libraries have equipment not only adequate for depository operations but also for the changing demands of bibliographic and full text, graphic databases.
 Minimum e-competencies for depository staff can help insure all library staff have minimum skills to function in the current and future information environment.

Brave New World
 Still designing a new government information paradigm
 Aftermath of 9/11 has provided shocks yet to be fully addressed to the access to federal information both now and in the future
 Interior web site
 Current review of Government information releases in both physical and electronic formats 


FDLP as advocate
 ARL Lawyers 

 GPO 
 Questions the agencies on real necessity of withdrawing materials
 Provides instructions, guidelines and procedures for handling withdrawing and sequestering material
Future roles of GPO & the FDLP
 GPO Partnerships
 Electronic Initiatives
 Future developments yet unknown


Community of Depository Librarians
 The FDLP has created a core of librarians nation wide with similar pressures, issues and concerns.
 These librarians have created a helpful & cooperative fellowship that provides intellectual, moral, and technical support to both depository and non-depository library communities.

Leaving the FDLP
 Can no longer fulfill your obligations under the depository program
 Lack of resources
 Lack of expertise
 One among many depository libraries in the area
 Relatively new depository without significant historical collections
 No longer an asset to the program