Briggs Library is designated as a Federal Depository Program Library. The Governments Documents Collection is housed on the fourth floor near the T–Z general collection. The physical depository collection is arranged by the Superintendent of Documents classification system and includes print, CDs, and microfiche. Paper government publications can be checked out for 28 days. Stop by the reference desk or Ask A Librarian for help in mining this valuable resource.
The Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) was established by Congress to ensure that the American public has access to its government’s information. Since 1813, depository libraries have safeguarded the public’s right to know by collecting, organizing, maintaining, preserving, and assisting users with information from the Federal Government. The FDLP provides government information at no cost to designated depository libraries, throughout the country and territories. These depository libraries, in turn, provide local, no-access to government information and in an impartial environment with professional assistance.
As institutions committed to equity of access and dedicated to free and unrestricted public use, the nation’s nearly 1,250 depository libraries serve as one of the vital links between “We the people” and our government. Community members are especially invited to utilize the Briggs’ depository collection, which is filled with information on careers, business opportunities, consumer information, health and nutrition, legal and regulatory information, demographics, congressional documents, and numerous other subjects.
In addition to the Government Publications collection, participation in the Depository Program means that electronic access to a wealth of government information is available through the SUMMON catalog and various online bibliographic tools. To limit your search just to government publications, choose the Government Publications catalog portion of SUMMON. To search all of Briggs materials (all collections, including government publications) use the Pounce catalog. If you're looking for Briggs Library government reference books or government websites, please go to the Research QuickStart “Government” page.
