Happy 57th Anniversary - Rice University Fondren Library in FDLP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FONDREN LIBRARY has been proudly serving as a Selective Federal Depository designated by the U.S. Congress on March 23, 1967. Its FDLP service has been administered by the Kelley Center for Government Information, Data, and Geospatial Services at Fondren.

 

WHAT IS FDLP?

Follow the links below to learn more about the FDLP:

• What is the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP)

• FDLP Mission, Vision, & Values

• 44 U.S.C. § 19, which established and authorized the FDLP to ensure the American public has free equal access to government information. 

• U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO)

NATIONAL NETWORK OF FEDERAL DEPOSITORY LIBRARIES "KEEPING AMERICA INFORMED" SINCE 1813

Fondren Library is one of 1000+ federal depository libraries across the United States. As part of the Federal Depository Library Program, Fondren Library is committed to providing free and equal access to tangible and electronic government publications for the univerity community and the general public.

"The purpose and goals of the Federal Depository Library Program are rooted in these underlying principles:

A well informed citizenry, cognizant of the policies and activities and of its representative Government, is essential for the proper functioning of democracy: information provided by government document is a primary means for citizens to keep informed.

The public has a right to information contained in Government documents, which have been published at public expense; the Governent has an obligation to ensure availability of, and access to, these docuents at no cost. These documents are a permanent source of Federal information." 

(Sheila McGarr, Chief, Depository Serivces, 1994.)

HOW TO CONTACT US AND USE OUR FDLP SERVICES

• Email: govhelp@rice.edu
• Call FDLP Representative: (713)348-6212
• Visit: https://library.rice.edu/gov 
• Research: https://libguides.rice.edu/gov
• Free Classes: Register or Request 
• Instagram: instagram.com/ricekelleycenter 
• In person: Any one can visit Fondren Library to access and use FDLP collections in any format, as well as receive professional FDLP services for free. You can find us in the basement of the Fondren Library. Our staff at the Kelley Center office suite (B38) and the information desk will be delighted to welcome and assist you.

FDLP IN DIGITAL TIME

The FDLP vision, mission, and value have remained the same, even as the formats of the government publications have changed since the FDLP was established in 1813, from paper to microfiche, computer diskettes, VHS tapes, CDs, DVDs, and online documents.

 

At the urging Allen Matsuow, Rice’s William Gaines Twyman Professor Emeritus of History and former director of the Rice University Baker Institute, Fondren Library requested designation as a Federal Depository Library. Designation was granted on March 23, 1967. 

Although George H.W. Bush was the new Member of Congress for the newly created 7th District, most of the work of the designation had taken place under Clark W. Thompson, representative of the 9th District.

The department added Kelley Center to its name to honor former Federal Reserve Board Member (1987–2001) Edward W. Kelley who donated funds to renovate the department.  Mr. Kelley graduated from Rice University (B.A., 1954) and Harvard Business School (M.B.A., 1959). 

In 2015, with increasing emphasis on and usage of data, the department  changed its name to the Kelley Center for Government Information, Data and Geospatial Services.