Project Description
The Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) Forecast Study queried Federal depository libraries about their pressing issues, goals, and viewpoints, and asked them to identify initiatives and needs.
Data was collected through three tools:
- Library Forecast Questionnaires: A survey gathered data about conditions in each individual depository library, issues each library faces now and anticipates in the future, and asked each library what GPO can do to assist them in providing free public access to U.S. Government information.
- State Forecast Questionnaires: A survey gathered data about conditions depository libraries in a state or region (through consensus) face now and anticipate in the future, and asked what GPO can do to assist them in providing free public access to U.S. Government information.
- State Focused Action Plans (SFAPs): This survey asked FDLP libraries in states or regions to document initiatives and activities they plan to implement in the next five years.
Data from the Study is being used to:
- Develop ongoing U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) programs and services for FDLP libraries
- Inform strategic direction for GPO’s Library Services & Content Management (LSCM) business unit
- Cultivate a National Plan for shaping the future FDLP
The FDLP Forecast Study ensures the future FDLP is based on a shared vision between GPO and Federal depository libraries.
Presentation and Release of Results
At the time of the Questionnaires (summer 2012), there were 1,201 FDLP libraries.
- 802 responded to Library Forecast Questionnaires, for an overall response rate of 67%
- 45 responded to State Forecast Questionnaires, for an overall response rate of 83%
- 34 State Focused Action Plans were submitted
The results of the Library and State Forecast Questionnaires are being presented as:
Data Reports
Data Reports present results by individual Library and State Forecast question, reported by qualitative and quantitative analysis.
Library Forecast Questionnaire Results
1st Release (released May 15, 2013)
- Overall High-Level Quantitative Data for Library Forecast Questionnaires
- Q3: Funding in Libraries (revised May 30, 2013)
- Q4: Anticipated Funding in Libraries (revised May 30, 2013)
- Q19: Training Needs (revised May 30, 2013)
- Q20: Mentoring Needs
2nd Release (released May 28, 2013)
- Q5: Preferences for Digital Information (revised May 30, 2013)
- Q21: Relationships with Non-FDLP Libraries (revised May 30, 2013)
- Q22: Marketing the Library’s Collection and Services (revised May 30, 2013)
- Q23: Marketing Needs (revised May 30, 2013)
- Q24: Marketing Relationships with Non-FDLP Libraries (revised May 30, 2013)
- Q25: Anticipated Relationships with Non-FDLP Libraries (revised August 7, 2013)
- Q26: Anticipated Relationships with FDLP Libraries (revised May 30, 2013)
3rd Release (June 17, 2013)
- Q6: Preferences for Tangible Information (revised June 26, 2013)
- Q7: Remote Storage Challenges
- Q9: Patron Usage of Commercial Resources
- Q11: Negative Views on the Tangible Collection
- Q14: Plans to Digitize
- Q15: Digitization Guidance Needs
4th Release (July 3, 2013)
- Q8: Importance of FDLP Tangible and Digital Authenticated Information
- Q16: Anticipated Digital Barriers to Access (revised September 13, 2013)
- Q17: Rating LSCM Projects
- Q18: Service Needs from LSCM
- Q28: Willingness to Preserve or Host a Permanent Digital Collection
- Q29: Willingness to Develop A Subject Area Collection
5th Release (July 17, 2013)
- Q10: Importance of the Tangible Collection
- Q12: Importance of Digital Information via FDsys
- Q13: Storage of Digital Files
- Q27: Interest in Shared Housing Agreements
6th Release (July 31, 2013)
- Q30: Anticipated Leadership Opportunities
- Q31: Ideal FDLP
- Q32: Anticipated Future Needs from GPO
- Q33: Current and Future Vision of the FDLP
State Forecast Questionnaire Results
7th Release (August 13, 2013)
- State Forecast Results: Affiliations & Community Marketing
- State Forecast Results: Education
- State Forecast Results: Future Roles & Opportunities
- State Forecast Results: LSCM Projects
- State Forecast Results: Preservation Issues
Working Papers
Data collected from the Library and State Forecast Questionnaires falls into six overall themes. The Working Papers analyze the major findings and inferences of each theme. These Papers also include GPO’s planned responses to issues and needs.
- Affiliations & Community Marketing
- Collection Management
- Education
- LSCM Projects
- Preservation
- Future Roles and Opportunities(revised March 28, 2014)
State Focused Action Plans
SFAP submissions were collected and are available for viewing.
A summary report of information provided by depository libraries in a state or depository region through the State Focused Action Plans (SFAP) is also available.
Final Results Report
The final report summarizes the findings of the three data collecting tools.
Additional Forecast Study Resources
Study Documents
- Library Forecast Questionnaire
- State Forecast Questionnaire
- Methodology
- Library Forecast Study Questionnaire Data
Guidelines for Creating Pivot Tables with Library Questionnaire Data - State Forecast Study Questionnaire Data
FDLP Connection Articles
- Expanding the Forecast Framework: Discussion Summary (February 2014)
- FDLP Virtual Conference: “Expanding the Forecast Framework: Engage and Discuss” (February 2014)
- The FDLP Forecast Study: The Release of Data & GPO’s Next Steps (June 2013)
- The FDLP Forecast Study Team (December 2012)
- FDLP Forecast Study Sessions: Sharing Preliminary Results (October 2012)
- Help Us Keep the Momentum Going: Submit Your Library's Forecast Today (April 2012)
- From Collaborative Discussion to Questionnaire: GPO Asks the FDLP Community to Help Us Shape the Future of the Program (February 2012)
- Community, Unity (February 2012)
- Influencing the Future: FDLP State Forecasts and Action Plans (December 2011)
Related Documents and Resources
- The FDLP Forecast Study: Who? What? When? Where? Why? How? (May 2013)
- Report of FDLP Forecast Preliminary Results at the 2012 Depository Library Council Meeting and Federal Depository Library Conference (recordings and handouts)
- defaultWorking Together for a Vibrant: Future of the FDLP (488 KB) (ALA Midwinter, 2012) PowerPoint
- Strategic Changes Through Cooperative Efforts (November 2011 DLC) PowerPoint | pdfHandout (79 KB)
- pdfTranscripts (1.36 MB) (Fall Depository Library Council Meeting and Federal Depository Library Conference, 2011)
- Letter from the Superintendent of Documents to Library Directors on the FDLP Forecast Study
- "Expanding the Forecast Framework: Engage and Discuss” Virtual Conference Recordings
- Partners in Preservation: Focused Discussion Summary (April 2013)
- Expanding the Forecast Framework: Focused Discussion Summaries (December 2013)