What is a digital FDLP?

A digital FDLP connects the public with the Government information they need, putting digital permanent public access first while recognizing the importance of the existing tangible collection.

The digital change allows GPO and Federal depository libraries to collaborate in new ways and with more partners, including information producers, and with each other – using technology to improve access to collections and services – all to support permanent public access and America Informed.

This change has been happening incrementally for three decades. These are changes in how we deliver the program, not overall changes in what the program is or what our shared goals are; we just have new tools and are in a new environment. The digital transition opens up new opportunities to help our communities find and use Government information. 

What’s in Progress?

The transition to a digital FDLP is a big undertaking.

Key progress GPO has made: 

• Limited print distribution was implemented in February 2024.  
  • This change allowed GPO to: 
    • Add new services, such as FDLP Data Manager.
    • Support Steering Committees to help manage the shared National Collection. 
• GPO is developing new collaborations, including:
  • The Federal Communications Commission for the FCC Record 
  • The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Central Library for NOAA publications  
  • Indiana State Library for Interior Department publications 
• National Collection Service Areas (NCSAs) were developed to ensure geographically dispersed access to U.S. Government information.  
  • NCSA Steering Committees were developed and members have been appointed to facilitate discussion and collaboration among Federal depository libraries and plan the collaborative management of depository collections.

What Won't Change

• The mission of the FDLP and our shared goal of ensuring an America Informed
• Regional depositories will house extensive tangible collections, coordinate collection management in the region, marshal expertise and maintain a professional community, train and mentor FDLP colleagues, and serve patrons directly. 
• Partnering and collaborating will remain key in developing the National Collection and ensuring an America Informed.
• Cataloging & Indexing in all formats 
• Digital and tangible preservation 
• Sharing expertise and knowledge for improved services to patrons 

Action Items & Status Updates

Visit the Action Items progress page (progress table) to view recommendations of the Task Force on a Digital FDLP, mapped to action items with status updates.

Transitional Timeline

• In 1993, Congress passed Public Law 103-40, the Government Printing Office Electronic Information Access Enhancement Act, increasing GPO’s responsibilities to create and maintain a system of online access to U.S. Government information.
• Since 1993, GPO and all Federal agencies have been evolving to accommodate the digital age.
• In response to a recommendation from the Depository Library Council (DLC), in 2021, GPO Director Hugh Halpern established a Task Force to study the feasibility of a digital FDLP.
• The 23-member Task Force had representation from the DLC, the depository library community, and Federal agencies.
• In 2022, the Task Force delivered a report to Director Halpern entitled Feasibility of a Digital Federal Depository Library Program: Report of the GPO Director’s Task Force.
• Director Halpern accepted the Task Force recommendations, with few exceptions, and responded with how the GPO plans to implement a digital FDLP.

Resources

All documents related to the implementation of the digital FDLP are accessible from FDLP.gov’s File Repository.

Notable resources include:

• Print Distribution Titles (PDT) List (Version 2, 08/30/2024)
• Implementing a New Print Distribution Framework: A Report for the FDLP Community (August 15, 2024)
• Print Distribution Titles List, Library Allocations  (July 2024)
• Digital FDLP Implementation FAQs
• PDT Questionnaire Preview  (For FDLs to indicate interest in receiving print titles - December 6, 2023)
• PDT Information Questionnaire Results  (October 31, 2023)
• Letter from Superintendent of Documents: Reducing Titles & Copies for Tangible Distribution (August 17, 2023)
• Evolution of a Digital FDLP: A Transition Timeline PDF document | Web page
• Evolution of a Digital FDLP: A Brief History
• Task Force on a Digital FDLP project page  (archived)

Recorded Presentations & Meetings

• PDT Implementation & Preservation Steward Updates (Spring 2024 DLC Virtual Meeting, May 2024)
• State of the FDLP (Spring 2024 DLC Virtual Meeting, May 2024)
• Digital Depository: FDL Operations Insights Panel/Digital FDLP Stewardship (Spring 2024 DLC Virtual Meeting, May 2024)
• NCSA Collaborative Collection Development Meetings  (November 2023)
  • New FDLP Print Distribution Framework  (preparatory handout for NCSA November Meetings)
• Digital FDLP Community Conversation  (Fall 2023 Federal Depository Library Conference, October 2023)
• Open Discussion with Council: Transition to a Digital FDLP  (Fall 2023 Federal Depository Library Conference, October 2023)
• Implementation of a Digital FDLP: NCSA Virtual Meetings  (September 2023)
• Presentation to Regionals and Preservation Stewards on Print Reduction  (September 2023)
• GPO Superintendent of Documents Talks Digital FDLP  (June 2023)
• NCSA Meetings  (February 2022)

Questions & Feedback

For comments and questions about this process, please visit askGPO. When submitting a question, use the category, ‘Digital FDLP.’