Celebrate Anniversary - FDLP at Rice University Fondren Library

Birthday: March 23, 1967

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. 

As part of the Federal Depository Library Program, Fondren Library is authorized and committed to providing free equal permanent access to government publications, in tangible and digital format, for the Rice University and the general public, especially the Congressional District #7.

Fondren FDLP Services: How to Use it?

• Email FDLP Representative: jax2@rice.edu
• Call FDLP Representative: (713) 348-6212
• Visit Fondren FDLP research guides' gateway https://libguides.rice.edu/gov
• Register free Fondren FDLP training sessions: Register or Request 
• Check out Fondren FDLP Blog: https://ricegovinfo.blogspot.com/ 
• Visit Kelley Center Department Website: https://library.rice.edu/gov 
• Follow Kelley Center Department 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. Before you come, read the Information for Kelley Center Visitors to plan your visit.

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.

Federal Depository Library Program (1813-Present)

fdlp.gov 
 

The Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) has over 200 years history. It is a national program established in 1813 authorized by 44 U.S.C. § 19.

• Its mission is “to keep America informed” AND “ensure that the American public has free equal permanent access to government information”
• Its vision is "to provide Government information when and where it is needed in order to create informed citizenry and an improved quality of life." (FDLP Mission, Vision, & Values)

According to Sheila McGarr, Chief, Depository Serivces, 1994:

"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." 

Follow the links below to learn more about the FDLP:

• What is the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP)

• U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO)

Locate a Federal Depository Library near you

There are over 1,100 designated Federal depository libraries (FDLs) located in 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Federated States of Micronesia and U.S. territories.

The U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) through the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) distributes Government information free of cost to these libraries, and the libraries provide free access for all users to this information. In addition, information specialists are available at these libraries to assist researchers with locating Federal information. You can use the link to access and search the Federal Depository Library Directory by any keyword (e.g. state or city, library name, zip code, etc.) or using a clickable map.

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.