GPO Director Appoints Task Force to Study Making GPO Library Program All-Digital

The U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) Director Hugh Nathanial Halpern appointed a task force to study the feasibility of an all-digital Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP). As 97 percent of Federal publications are born digital, Director Halpern is charging the Task Force on a Digital Federal Depository Library Program (“Task Force”) to determine whether an all-digital FDLP is necessary, and if so, define the scope of an all-digital depository program and make recommendations as to how to implement and operate such a program. This will include an examination of the current landscape in Federal depository libraries, of FDLP-related operations at the GPO, and of the dissemination of publications by Federal agencies.

“Technology has changed since GPO began putting information online in 1994, and so has our Agency,” said Director Halpern. “It is crucial to our democracy that GPO continue to adapt and meet our customers where they are. Thank you to the members of the library community and all of our partners for their commitment to making Government information even more accessible in the future. I look forward to the Task Force’s recommendations.”

The Task Force is comprised of 23 members representing the Depository Library Council, the Depository Library Community, Federal Agencies, and library associations. It will deliver a final report on the feasibility of a digital FDLP to Director Halpern by December 2022. Member Roster: Task Force on a Digital Federal Depository Library Program | FDLP

“The need for information digitally will only continue to grow,” said GPO Superintendent of Documents Laurie Hall. “I’m eager for this task force to investigate a new model for the administration of the FDLP.”

GPO has been working with the library community since the 19th century to provide the American people free access to Federal Government information. The partnership continues today with more than 1,100 libraries. Even with digital footprints, GPO’s Preservation Steward partners will continue to preserve rare and valuable print collections of Government information.