U.S. Federal Depository Library Program
The Federal Depository Library Program was established by the U.S. Congress in the mid-nineteenth century and has been managed by the Government Publishing Office since 1865. It is the job of the FDLP to collect, organize, and preserve printed and electronic information produced by all parts of the Federal Government and distribute this information to designated libraries across the country, and assist people in locating and using it. Altogether, there are currently 1,350 Federal Depository Library sites across the United States and its territories.
The mission of Federal Depository libraries is to provide local, free access to information from the federal government in an impartial environment. Documents in print and electronic formats are available on a wide range of topics relevant to the general public and to professionals, researchers, and students in a variety of fields. The U.S. Department of the Interior Library collects titles produced by executive agencies on science and technology, nature and wildlife, geology, energy, the environment, Native Americans, and much more.
On October 10, 2018 the Dixon Public Library became designated as a Federal Depository Library. Upon this date the library started receiving a new collection that was provided by the U.S. Government Publishing Office. These collection materials were provided at no cost to all of the patrons of the Dixon Public Library, including consortia, reciprocal, and interlibrary loan patrons, and the general public.
This library is a congressionally designated depository for U.S. Government documents. Public access to the government documents collection is guaranteed by public law. (Title 44 United States Code)
Government Publications Electronic Bookshelf:
| Assistance Listings | Provides detailed, public descriptions of Federal assistance listings available to State and local governments (including the District of Columbia); Federally recognized Indian tribal governments, Territories (and possessions) of the United States; domestic public, quasi-public, and private profit and nonprofit organizations and institutions; specialized groups, and individuals. https://sam.gov/content/assistance-listings |
| Ben’s Guide to the U.S. Government | Presents educational content for the public on the workings of the U.S. Government and U.S. history, with a focus on civics https://bensguide.gpo.gov/ |
| Budget of the United States Government | Contains the budget message of the President, information about the President’s budget proposals for a given fiscal year, and other budgetary publications issued throughout the fiscal year. https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/budget/ |
| Catalog of U.S. Government Publications | A finding tool for publications from all three branches of the U.S. government. Updated daily, it contains descriptive records for current and historical publications and provides direct links to those online. https://catalog.gpo.gov/F |
| Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) | The annual edition of the general and permanent rules published in the Federal Register by departments and agencies of the U.S. Government. https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/cfr/ |
| Compilation of Presidential Documents | The official publications of materials released by the White House Press Secretary. https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/CPD |
| Congress.gov | Provides information about legislative activities, publications, and other related materials for members of Congress and the public. https://www.congress.gov/ |
| Congressional Record | The official record of the proceedings and debates of the United States Congress, published daily when Congress is in session. (Note: This is the daily edition. There is also a bound edition.) https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/CREC/ |
| The Constitution of the United States of America: Analysis and Interpretation | Also known as the Constitution Annotated, includes the U.S. Constitution and analysis and interpretation, with in-text annotations of cases decided by the Supreme Court of the United States. https://www.govinfo.gov/collection/constitution-annotated?path=/GPO/Constitution%20of%20the%20United%20States%20of%20America%253A%20Analysis%20and%20Interpretation |
| Economic Indicators | Published monthly by the Council of Economic Advisors for the Joint Economic Committee, provides economic information on GDP, income, employment, production, business activity, prices, money, credit, security markets, Federal finance, and international statistics. https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/ECONI/ |
| The Economic Report of the President to Congress | An annual report, issued by the Executive Office of the President and the Council of Economic Advisors, providing an overview of economic progress, with extensive data appendices. https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/erp |
| Explore Census Date (also known as Census.gov) | A source for population, economic, housing, and geographic information and data about the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Island areas. https://data.census.gov/ |
| Federal Depository Basic Collection | Core U.S. Government resources made available at all Federal depository libraries. https://libguides.fdlp.gov/fdlp-basic-collection |
| Federal Register | The daily publication of the rules, proposed rules, and notices of Federal agencies and organizations, along with executive orders. https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/FR |
| GovInfo | A database providing authenticated access to official publications from all three branches of the U.S. Government. https://www.govinfo.gov |
| List of U.S. States and Territories | A complete list of all 50 states and territories that combined make up the United States of America https://usa.usembassy.de/travel-states.htm |
| Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) | A resource for occupational and career information, providing profiles on a majority of jobs in the United States. Profiles describe the work environment, education and training needed, a ten-year outlook, and median pay for workers. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ |
| Official Congressional Directory | Includes biographical and directory information about members of the House and Senate, committee memberships, terms of service, and related content. https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/CDIR |
| Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States | Official publication of the President’s addresses, writings, and remarks. https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/PPP |
| Social Security Handbook | Resource for the most common questions about Social Security. https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/handbook/handbook.html |
| United States Code | The codification by subject matter of the general and permanent laws of the United States, divided by broad subjects into 53 titles. https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/handbook/handbook.html |
| The United States Government Manual | The official handbook of the U.S. Government, providing information on the agencies from all three branches, quasi-official agencies, international organizations in which the United States participates, boards, commissions, and committees. https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/GOVMAN |
| United States Reports | Contains the final version of the opinions of the Supreme Court of the United States. https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/USReports.aspx |
| The United States Statutes at Large | Contains the permanent laws enacted during each session of Congress. https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/STATUTE/ |
| USA.gov | A subject-based portal to Federal services and resources online. A Spanish site is also available. https://www.usa.gov/ or https://www.usa.gov/es/ |
There are many Federal Publications that are accessible to patrons in digital form. A tangible (physical) collection of documents is additionally located in the adult library of Dixon Public Library. Please feel free to contact the library for assistance with your government information needs. Reference assistance will be available at the library.
The Federal Depository Library Program’s Basic Collection identifies the major Federal documents that depository libraries should include in their collections as “vital sources of information that support the public’s right to know about the workings and essential activities of the Federal Government.”
*For an additional list including historic cornerstone documents, see GovInfo’s Other Resources (https://www.govinfo.gov/help/other-resources), previously known as Core Documents of Our Democracy.
