The FDLP Rules and Instructions is a consolidated resource of all required Program rules and associated instructions. These rules expand upon the principles in the FDLP authorizing legislation, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 19, and support the successful operation at libraries in order to achieve free, public access to FDLP resources today. Libraries in the FDLP will be assessed according to the FDLP Rules and Instructions via firsthand investigations as required in 44 U.S.C. §1909.
The FDLP Rules and Instructions is organized into three sections:
- Administrative Rules
- Public Access Rules
- Physical Format Collections Rules
Each section contains the high-level rules (what your library must do or not do to meet the requirements of the Program) and instructions that provide more details on how to meet or carry out the rules.
Note that the FDLP Rules and Instructions are for all depository libraries in the FDLP regardless of depository type and collection status. However, not all rules will apply to all depositories. There is no separate set of rules for digital depository libraries not collecting or holding physical FDLP material.
The FDLP Rules and Instructions supersedes the 2018 Legal Requirements and Program Regulations of the Federal Depository Library Program.