Stage LPS has received many inquiries about the status of publications that have been converted to online electronic only dissemination format as noted in the Administrative Notes Technical Supplement and WEBTech Notes. Libraries have noted the change, but continue to see physical copies arrive in the shipment boxes, and many people are questioning when the delivery of physical products will stop for the depository libraries. When LPS notifies libraries via the Technical Supplement and WEBTech Notes that a specific title will no longer be physically distributed to the libraries, steps have already been taken to stop the acquisition of the physical product. However, physical distribution may continue after the notice has been made, due to the timing of the ordering process for the title.
Many times there are still orders in process, thus the material arrives after the notification.
These straggler copies are distributed to the libraries because the funds have already been expended for the product, and any other action would be inappropriate from a fiscal viewpoint. Another scenario occurs when the agency has been notified of the change, but the change has not been processed all the way through the ordering process at the agency. LPS is contacting the agency when this happens to be sure the distribution count is changed, and to ensure we are not being charged for copies we did not order. LPS does not compile sales availability information separately for those tangible products that have been converted to online dissemination for Federal depositories. Another good resource is the U.S. Government Online Bookstore located at or the U.S. Government Printing Office Sales Program.