Libraries can be legally designated as depositories for government information. When a library is assigned depository status, it accepts the responsible for receiving, maintaining and providing access for all library users to all government publication s received through the Depository Library Program. CWU Library has been a depository for U.S. government publications since 1962, and a depository for Washington State government publications since 1955. Popular materials include consumer information, recreation guides and foreign country data. Technical and special documents include tax forms, patents and environmental impact statements.
Official publications contain laws, regulations and legislation.
Sizes of documents can range from 1-page pamphlets to large sets of Compact Disks. Documents collections include books, periodicals, maps, leaflets, photographs and posters . Information is received on paper, microfiche, disk, CD-ROM, video , and the Internet . The collection is open for browsing. Separate rooms for maps and microforms contain furniture and equipment for viewing and copying these materials.