Digital FDLP Implementation

  • Last Updated: September 17, 2024
  • Published: April 20, 2023

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. 

The Digital FDLP Now The Digital FDLP in Development 
Historic collections that form the tangible National Collection and preservation of those materials  Continue building the National Collection in all digital formats.
Current digital publications harvested and described in the CGP, GovInfo, or in the FDLP Web Archive Continue digitization at GPO and in partnership
Tools like FDLP Data Manager and FDLP eXchange Continue harvesting and description of born-digital content
Changes in the work of serving patrons – collections and reference evolve in similar ways that other parts of collections have Collaborate with agencies to capture content “farther up” in the lifecycle. 
Shared tools like FDLP Resource Guides and the FDLP Academy  Develop new tools for managing existing increasingly shared collections, e.g. Historic MoCat. 
  Develop services from GPO to libraries to improve access. 
  Develop new tools for helping patrons. 
  Provide training for staff to help patrons use the National Collection in any format.
  Develop collection management services for print and digital resources. 

What’s in Progress?

The transition to a digital FDLP is a big undertaking.

Key progress GPO has made: 

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:

Recorded Presentations & Meetings

Questions & Feedback

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