Abstract #5

Drake, M.A. (2005).Federal Depository Library Program: Safety Net for Access. Searcher13(1) p. 46-50. Accessed April 10, 2005 via Library Lit & Inf Full Text.

An overview of the federal depository library program, including its history (from Jefferson's belief in an informed citizenship) to Congress's 1813 decision to print one copy of everything for its citizens. The author mentions the program funding, including the costs borne by local libraries (such as IU) that chose to remain depository libraries. Projects for the future of the FDLP include a massive digitization project that will eventually end in the collection of last resort. In this scenario, everything the government publishes will go straight to digital format and straight to the hands of the citizens. Several "light" or usable archives will remain open to the public, and at least one "dark", unused, archive will act as a musuem to retain items for the historical record.