a WORD FROM WASHINGTO ile i Local Access To Federal Government Information (NAPSA)—An important gov- ernment program is helping safeguard one of our nation’s strongest traditions: the public’s right to know. Since it was established by Congress in 1818, the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) has collected, organized and preserved information published by the federal government, and assisted people in locating and usingit. Libraries designated as depositories provide local, no-fee access to information from the government in impartial envonments. Expert assistance in locating spe- oe! bod baaay Unit tates Government PUBLICATIONS * ONLINE ACCESS * SERVICE _ S<]_~ Information produced by federal cific information is available at all locations from government infor- agencies is available at more than 1,300 libraries nationwide. Federal depository collections are available for use by everyone. Collections include documents in service; mation librarians. many formats, including print, microfiche, CD/DVD, and online. They cover a wide range of topics relevant to the general public and to professionals, researchers and students in almost every field of study. Categories include: Lawsand regulations Business Careers Censusstatistics Science and technology Travel Defense and military history. Overseen by the U.S. Government Printing Office, the FDLP offers a number of benefits. For example, the program: Facilitates public access to information published by agencies in all branches of the federal government; Ensures high standards for information access, and public Encourages libraries to tailor collections to meet local needs; Provides computer guidelines for accessing online Government resources; Preserves online Government resources through GPO Access and the FDLP Electronic Collections archive; Furnishes records, via an online catalog of Government publications. Depository libraries include academic libraries, public libraries, academic law libraries and community college libraries, as well as state and federal libraries. They are located in nearly every congressional district throughout the USS. andits territories. To learn more, or to locate the nearest depository library, visit www.gpo.gov/fdlp.
