A selective depository library is "a depository library in the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) that receives only item numbers that fulfill the primary needs of users within the geographic area it is designated to serve, usually based on its stated mission." -Joan M. Rietz, 2014, from Online Dictionary for Library and Information Science.
The Ross Pendergraft Library currently selects approximately 25% of the government publications available through the United States Government Publishing Office (GPO).
The United States Government is the largest publisher in the world. Every day the U.S. Government issues congressional bills, laws, regulations, presidential documents, studies, and more on a variety of topics. The Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) was established by Congress to ensure that the American public has access to its Government's information. The Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) is administered by the U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO).
Since 1813, select U.S. Government documents have been made available throughout the United States and its territories to designated libraries. These designated libraries are called Federal depository libraries.
As members of the FDLP, depository libraries play a prominent role in providing Federal Government information to the public. FDLP libraries collaborate on a local and national level to provide informed access to both historical and current Federal Government resources distributed through the FDLP and deposited in libraries across the country.
Anyone can visit Federal depository libraries and use the Federal depository collections which are filled with information on careers, business opportunities, consumer information, health and nutrition, legal and regulatory information, demographics, and numerous other subjects.
The authority for the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) and the legal obligations of designated Federal depository libraries are found in 44 United States Code §§1901‐1916.
Learn more about this program at https://fdlp.gov
January 3, 1863: Emancipation Proclamation
January 20, 2025: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 22, 1975: Landsat 2 launched
January 23, 2025: National Handwriting Day (Celebrated on John Hancock's birthday)
January 25, 1860: birthday of Charles Curtis, the first Native American vice president
January 28, 1986: Challenger space shuttle disaster
