The Erie County Library System, Erie, Pennsylvania, located in the 21st United States Congressional District was designated a Federal Depository in 1897. The primary mission of the unit is to support the general collecting activities of the main library which serves the residents of Erie County. In accordance with the requirements defined in the Instructions to Depository Libraries, Guidelines for the Depository Library System, and the Federal Depository Manual, this unit also strives to serve the government information needs of the constituents of the 21st U.S. Congressional District, providing free and unimpeded public access to government information. There are 101,564 households and 71,125 families. Erie is situated midway between two major market areas, Chicago and New York, and is less than 100 miles from Pittsburgh, Buffalo and Cleveland.
Manufacturers pay nearly half the wages in Erie County.
Erie County exports more per capita than any other Pennsylvania county. Employment figures have been consistently better than state and national averages. This staff has input to the selection of new items offered through Government Printing Office surveys and the annual review of items currently selected. Staff also identifies for purchase commercially published sources to support the collection. The library does not collect government documents in any subject area above the reference level.