2026 Fall DLC: The Legacy of Print: The Importance of Stewarding Legacy Collections in the Digital Age

For decades, the FDLP’s mission; to make government information publicly available, in support of a free and democratic society, meant distributing printed material. Early in the 21st century,  we embraced digitally distributed information. Lost in our enthusiasm for this exciting new world were answers to questions like: what happens if digital documents are removed, tacitly altered, or were never digitized? These challenges prove that access is only a part of our mission; preservation is just as crucial. If data can be removed, or changed, the decisions made with government information become immeasurably more complicated. The government’s priorities may change, but the FDLP’s and the librarians who help maintain the program do not. This session explores the need to maintain our digital presence and access, while continuing the print legacy of the FDLP with preservation.