On December 9, 2009, a stress test was conducted on the U.S. Government Printing Office's Aleph production server. The primary function of the test was to monitor and analyze the impact (if any) what a 10,000 record limit in z39.50 would have on the system.

Methodology

External users from five depository libraries conducted searches that would return large results sets, near or over the 10,000 limit, for the duration of the test using a z39.50 client of their choice. Meanwhile, sixteen GPO staff performed tasks in Aleph that they would engage in as part of their normal workday.

Results

The group searching the CGP was the hardest hit in terms of reduced functionality, a concern since the CGP has replaced the print Monthly Catalog as the access point for the public to Federal publications cataloged for the FDLP and the Cataloging and Indexing Program. CGP searchers mainly experienced slow response times that continued to slow down as the end of the test period approached for actions including connecting to PURLs, searching, retrieving results sets and navigating through results, and some failed searches.

Next Steps for Z 39.50 Testing and Access (March 2010-September 2010)

• New ILS hardware will be installed and tested (March 2010-May 2010). The goal is to increase capacity and improve ability of depository libraries to access CGP records via Z39.50.
• Aleph version 20 software upgrade (completion projected for July 2010);
• From March 2010-September 2010:
  • Maintain access only by password to Z39.50 so that only depository libraries continue to have access,
  • Maintain Z39.50 limit of 10,000 records per session while carefully monitoring server loads to ensure other ILS functionality is not compromised;
• After ILS hardware installation and software upgrade completed, conduct another Z39.50 stress test (August 2010);
  • Evaluate test results and plan for expansion of record limit access for z39.50 access to the Aleph ILS
• Continue to keep the FDLP community informed of z39.50 plans and developments via the FDLP Desktop

View the complete stress test summary.

The goal of Web publication harvesting is to discover and capture newly identified online publications that are within scope of GPO's information dissemination programs. GPO's publication harvesting activities include planning for and discovering, making scope determination assessment, capturing, and archiving online U.S. Government publications determined to be within scope of GPO's information dissemination programs. GPO is working to accomplish these tasks while using increasingly automated technologies are being developed in conjunction with the Federal Digital System.

The following is a list of harvesting pilots that have been undertaken by GPO:

For current Title 44 revision information, please refer to: Legislative Revisions to Title 44 U.S.C., Chapter 19: Depository Library Program

Revising Title 44 of the United States Code, particularly Chapter 19 as it relates to the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP), has recently been the topic of major discussion.

Congressional Testimony

• February 6, 2017— Questions and Responses for the Record -- Priorities of the House Officers and Legislative Branch Entities for FY 2018 and Beyond
• February 6, 2017— Prepared Statement before the Committee on House Administration U.S. House of Representatives— Priorities of the House Officers and Legislative Branch Entities for FY 2018 and Beyond
• May 17, 2017— Questions and Responses for the Record -- Transforming GPO for the 21st Century and Beyond
• May 17, 2017— Prepared Statement before the Committee on House Administration, U.S. House of Representatives, On Transforming GPO for the 21st Century and Beyond
• July 18, 2017— Questions and Responses for the Record -- Transforming GPO for the 21st Century and Beyond: Part 2
• July 18, 2017— Remarks before the Committee on House Administration U.S. House of Representatives On Transforming GPO for the 21st Century and Beyond: Part 2

The GPO Director’s Charge to the Depository Library Council & Their Recommendations

In June 2017, then GPO Director Davita Vance-Cooks charged the Depository Library Council (DLC) with providing recommendations to modernize Title 44, Chapter 19 of the United States Code. The DLC was also asked to consult with the FDLP community to identify changes that would promote flexibility in meeting FDLP requirements while continuing to support the mission of Keeping America Informed. After incorporating input from the FDLP community, library associations, and other FDLP stakeholders, the DLC collaborated this summer on proposed recommendations to modify Title 44. On September 25, 2017, a proposal was submitted to Ms. Vance-Cooks.

Congressional Hearing on the FDLP: House Committee on Administration

On September 26, 2017, Superintendent of Documents Laurie Hall discussed the evolution of the FDLP before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on House Administration at the hearing, “Transforming GPO for the 21st Century and Beyond: Part 3 - The Federal Depository Library Program.” Following Ms. Hall’s testimony, a panel of FDLP community members and stakeholders also testified.

• September 26, 2017— Questions and Responses for the Record --Transforming GPO for the 21st Century and Beyond: Part 3 -- FDLP
• September 26, 2017— Prepared Statement Before the Committee on House Administration on GPO’s Federal Depository Library Program

Revised Title 44 Modernization Recommendations from the Depository Library Council

After the close of the 2017 DLC Meeting & FDL Conference, where much discussion took place on the modernization of Title 44, the DLC provided revised recommendations on the modernization of Title 44 to the GPO Director on October 30, 2017.

Draft Bill to Amend Title 44

On December 11, 2017, GPO received a draft bill to amend Title 44, U.S.C. from the Committee on House Administration.

DLC’s Comments on Draft Title 44 Bill

On January 8, 2018, the DLC released their comments on the Title 44 draft bill.

GPO’s Comments on Draft Title 44 Bill

On January 31, 2018, GPO sent “Comments on Draft Legislation to Amend Title 44, U.S.C. (December 11, 2017 version)” to the Committee on House Administration.

GPO’s Comments on Draft Title 44 Bill (2)

On February 27, 2018, GPO sent “Comments on Draft Legislation to Amend Title 44, U.S.C. (February 22, 2018 version)” to the Committee on House Administration.

Introduced Legislation

On March 15, 2018, the House filed H.R. 5305 IH, the FDLP Modernization Act of 2018.

Letter of Support

On March 16, 2018, the American Library Association, the American Association of Law Libraries, and the Association of Research Libraries co-signed a letter of support for H.R. 5305.

DLC Support for H.R. 5305

On March 26, 2018, the DLC sent a letter of support for H.R. 5305 to Acting GPO Deputy Director, Andrew Sherman.

GPO Statement on H.R. 5305

On March 28, 2018, the GPO published a statement on H.R. 5305, the FDLP Modernization Act of 2018.

Markup of H.R. 5305

On April 11, 2018, amendments to H.R. 5305 were made available by the Committee on House Administration.

Committee Business Meeting: H.R. 5305

On April 12, 2018, the House Committee on Administration held a Committee Business Meeting where they discussed H.R. 5305.

CHA Press Release

On April 12, 2018, the House Committee on Administration issued the press release, Modernizing Fundamental Public Access to Government Information.

CBO Scoring

On May 25, 2018, the Congressional Budget Office released the Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 5305 FDLP Modernization Act of 2018, as ordered by the Committee on House Administration on April 12, 2018.

ALA Resolution: FDLP Modernization Act

On June 24, 2018, the American Library Association Council of the 2018 ALA Annual Conference produced, ‘A Resolution Recognizing the 25th Anniversary of the GPO Access Act and Calling for the Enactment of the FDLP Modernization Act.’

Other Title 44 Resources:

• 2017 DLC Meeting & FDL Conference: Title 44 Reform sessions, recorded archives (October 2017)
• FDLP Virtual Meeting on Regional Issues, recorded archive (February 2018)

GPO will continue to keep the FDLP community updated as any developments progress. To provide feedback on anything related to Title 44 modernization, please reach out to askGPO. 

Previously titled "FDLP Selection Mechanisms: Item Numbers and Alternatives".

In 2006, as part of its ongoing planning efforts, GPO undertook a review of the item number system used by libraries in the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) to select tangible and electronic titles. As the number of electronic publications disseminated continues to grow, GPO raised questions about the continued utility of item numbers in its initial planning statement on the National Bibliography. In response to a request from the Depository Library Council, GPO conducted a review of the current item number system and examined possible alternatives.

Briefing Papers

As a result of this review, GPO released three briefing papers and solicited comments from the depository library community.

• Depository Selection: History and Current Practice was provided as background information for the other two papers. It provided an overview of the item number process in its current form.
• Depository Selection Mechanisms: New Model for the Selection of Online Titles proposed new mechanisms for the selection of online titles.
• Depository Selection Mechanisms: New Model for the Selection of Tangible Publications proposed new mechanisms to support a more flexible model for selection and distribution of tangible publications.

GPO received over 90 comments on the briefing papers. GPO thanks all those who took the time to review the briefing papers. Comments have been summarized into two separate documents.

• Comments on the online model
• Comments on the tangible model

All questions, comments, and suggestions were considered as GPO revised the briefing papers. There were no changes to the History and Current Practice Document, but it has been re-released to indicate that it is a revised document. Changes have been incorporated into the papers on the New Model for Selection of Online titles document and the New Model for the Selection of Tangible Publications document. Revised versions of all three papers have been released.

• Revised Depository Selection: History and Current Practice
• Revised Depository Selection Mechanisms: New Model for the Selection of Online Titles
• Revised Depository Selection Mechanisms: New Model for the Selection of Tangible Publications

Conference Presentations

A plenary session on the proposed changes to depository selection mechanisms was held on April 5, 2006 at the Spring Federal Depository Library Conference.

• Presentation by Judy Russell, Superintendent of Documents

Questionnaire

During the Spring Depository Library Council Meeting, Superintendent of Documents Judy Russell asked conference participants and others in the depository community for feedback on the proposed models for the selection of online and tangible publications. The selection mechanisms questionnaire was posted on the FDLP Desktop to allow individuals not in attendance to respond.

GPO received over 170 responses to the questionnaire on selection mechanisms. GPO thanks all those who took the time to respond to the questionnaire and will utilize this data to help finalize the new models for selecting online and tangible publications.

• Summary of responses to selection mechanisms questionnaire

GPO Resources used for the Review

• Classification Manual (GPO, 1993)
• Dissemination/Distribution Policy for the Federal Depository Library Program (ID 71)
• Essential Titles for Public Use in Paper Format
• List of Classes
• Snapshots of the Federal Depository Library Program

Other Models Reviewed

• Approval Plans (Blackwell Books Service)
• Approval Plans Acquisitions Services (Harrassowitz)
• Approval Plans (YPB)
• Commonwealth Library Deposit and Free Issue Schemes (LDS)
• Depositories in the U.S. (European Union)
• Depository Services Program (Canada)
• Handbook for Depository Libraries (North Carolina State Library)
• Montana State Publications Center
• OrDocs, Oregon Document Depository
• United Nations Depository Libraries
• World Bank Depository/Regional Depository Library Program

GPO is developing a strategic plan for the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) that looks forward 5-10 years. There were initial discussions at the Spring 2008 meeting of the Depository Library Council. At that meeting we discussed the vision, mission, and assumptions. We also began a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis of the FDLP. Discussion continued at the fall meeting where program goals were determined.

For those who were unable to attend the Council meetings, or for those who want a refresher of the session, there are links on this page to the presentation and the discussion. Other related links are included below as well.

The discussion from the last two meetings of the Depository Library Council on the future and strategic direction of the FDLP was incorporated into a draft strategic plan, which is posted below. It will be updated with more details once input is received from the depository library community and the strategic direction is approved by the Council. GPO invites your comments and thoughts on the draft plan as well as your vision of the FDLP of the future. Please use the comment form.

The Strategic Plan

Draft- (04/17/2009) - Federal Depository Library Program Strategic Plan, 2009-2014: Creating an Informed Citizenry and Improving Quality of Life

Draft- (01/15/2009) - Federal Depository Library Program Strategic Plan, 2009-2014: Creating an Informed Citizenry and Improving Quality of Life

Related Links:

Future of FDLP: Strategic Planning, Part 2
Presentation from the 08 Fall DLC Meeting

Letter from Ric Davis, Acting Superintendent of Documents and Director, LSCM
Letter to all depository library directors inviting discussion about the value of the FDLP and the library's participation in it.

Shaping and Transforming the Future of the FDLP
Presentation from 08 Spring DLC Meeting

Future of the FDLP: Transcript of Presentation on Strategic Planning
Transcript from 08 Spring DLC Meeting

Planning the FDLP of the Future: What Shape Will it Take?
Presentation from the Interagency Depository Seminar, 2008

A Strategic Vision for the 21st Century
GPO Publication, 2004

Knowledge Will Forever Govern
A vision statement for Federal depository libraries prepared by the Depository Library Council. September 29, 2004

Value Proposition for the FDLP
This document highlights the many benefits afforded to libraries that serve as Federal depositories. This Value Proposition is an important tool in helping libraries to articulate the value that comes with depository designation. November 2009

The U.S. Government Publishing Office’s (GPO’s) Library Services and Content Management (LSCM) uses the Superintendent of Documents (SuDocs) classification scheme to classify U.S. Government publications in both tangible and electronic formats. As the authority for SuDocs classification, it is essential that classification rules be consistently applied.

The GPO Classification Manual, the established reference tool for SuDocs classification practice, was published in 1993 in tangible format. As numerous policy changes have occurred since its publication, the lack of a centralized, updated source for guidance poses challenges in implementing consistent and correct classification decisions.

The goal of this project is to update the 1993 GPO Classification Manual and to have the most current SuDocs classification instructions in one place that are:

• Available to the FDLP community and LSCM staff.
• In a format that is accessible online.
• Easily updated with necessary changes, corrections, and enhancements.

The scope of this project has included a comprehensive review of:

• Past and current SuDocs classification policies and practices, including the 1993 GPO Classification Manual.
• Policy changes made by GPO staff.
• Other updates to SuDocs classification policy that have occurred over the years.

The project was initiated in the fall of 2015. Updates to the project have been delivered at the 2015 DLC Meeting and FDL Conference and the 2016 DLC Meeting and FDL Conference as part of the GPO Technical Services Unit update. A subsequent update was presented at the 2017 DLC Meeting and FDL Conference, again as part of the GPO Technical Services Unit Update.

The Superintendent of Documents Classification Guidelines launched in the summer of 2018.

During the Fall 2008 Depository Library Conference, the regional depository libraries discussed the current superseded guidelines and whether there was a continued need for a written list of superseded titles. Based on input received, Library Services and Content Management (LSCM) revised the Superseded Guidelines that accompanied the 2002 Superseded List.

LSCM used the following approach to revise the guidelines:

• Refine the existing supersession guidelines;
• Incorporate examples for reference purposes; and
• Bring it in line with substitution guidelines.

GPO invited comments from December 17, 2009 though January 29, 2010 on the draft superseded guidelines. GPO is currently reviewing the submissions and will amend the guidelines as appropriate. The community will be notified when the final guidelines are issued.