Depository Selection Information Management System (DSIMS)

  • Last Updated: January 10, 2025
  • Published: January 07, 2025

About

Some depository libraries elect to maintain an item selection profile through the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP). This item selection profile can be viewed and updated in the Depository Selection Information Management System (DSIMS). In DSIMS, you can see item numbers your library has selected and add or remove item numbers from your profile. After making changes in DSIMS, the depository coordinator will receive an email confirmation of the changes. We recommend the FDLP Data Manager (FDM) tool for researching and analyzing item numbers. 

Libraries can view a list of all Federal publications that are available for selection using FDM or the List of Classes of Available Item Numbers. As of February 2024, the only physical format item numbers for selection are those on the Print Distribution Titles (PDT) List. The PDT List consists of titles that are available in unlimited quantities that any library may select or limited 20 or 50 copy quantities.

Item selection profiles can be used as a way for libraries to identify and locally capture catalog records for any formats they can receive through the FDM and other tools or vendors. Item selection profiles are also the mechanism for GPO to know which physical publications to send to each library when they are available for FDLP distribution. Some libraries may opt for other ways to provide access to online information.

Selecting and Deselecting Publications

Online or EL Format Publications

Depositories can select or deselect EL item numbers at any time using DSIMS, and these changes will take effect immediately. 

Unlimited Print Distribution Titles (PDT)

Any depository library can select Unlimited PDTs in DSIMS. Note, these item numbers will become effective on October 1 of each year. Libraries should only select paper format titles to their selection profile if it is listed as “unlimited distribution” on the PDT List.

Depositories may deselect Unlimited PDTs from their item selection profile in DSIMS. Deselections become effective immediately; however, some content may still be en route to your library. Claims cannot be made for deselected item numbers. 

Limited Print Distribution Titles (PDT)

Libraries should not select Limited PDTs in DSIMS because GPO manages the Limited PDT 20-copy and 50-copy publications.

If your library would like to cease receiving a Limited PDT, please contact GPO through askGPO because the publications will be reallocated to another depository library. 

Tips for working with item numbers

When adding and dropping item numbers, remember the following:

  • Selecting online format (EL) item numbers may facilitate the acquisition of catalog records.
  • Monitor WEBTech Notes to identify changes to item numbers or stems that affect your library's item selection profile.
  • Changes made in DSIMS are publicly reported in the UNION-L file, updated every Friday. If your item selection profile is used to acquire catalog records, note that vendors using UNION-L may take time to adjust your catalog records based on your updated item selections.
  • DSIMS is the official tool used to make changes to your library’s item selection profile. Use FDM to evaluate or analyze your item selection profile. FDM is updated twice a month to reflect any changes made in DSIMS.

Training