Donovan Secures Designation of CSI as Federal Depository Library

Congressman Dan Donovan (NY-11) today announced that, at his request, the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) designated the College of Staten Island (CSI) as a Federal Depository Library (FDL). The GPO distributes physical and digital government documents to FDLs nationwide for use by the public. FDLs provide free access to their federal collections, as well as staff, to help the public research information.

Congressman Donovan said, “The College of Staten Island is such a great public institution and community partner. This is yet another resource they’ll have on hand for students and Staten Islanders. I encourage everybody, whether for research or curiosity, to stop by and take a look at the federal collections CSI will now have on offer.”

“The College of Staten Island thanks Congressman Donovan for his support in facilitating the designation of the CSI Library as the first Federal Depository Library on Staten Island,” said CSI President William J. Fritz. “The ability to provide free digital access to federal government collections for our College and Staten Island community will advance our mission as an academic institution and our role as an anchor institution within the borough.”

To designate a Federal Depository Library, a prospective facility and the area’s Member of Congress must submit letters to the Government Printing Office. Donovan and CSI did so in March, and the GPO issued the FDL designation in April.

“GPO welcomes the College of Staten Island Library into this program that provides the public free access to the official publications of the U.S. Government on smartphones, tablets, laptops, and in print,” said Superintendent of Documents Laurie Hall. “Libraries are an important partner in helping GPO carry out its mission of Keeping America Informed, and the residents of Staten Island now have easier access to Government information.”

“The CSI Library is pleased and honored to be named a Federal Depository Library. We look forward to making U.S. federal government publications available to the Staten Island community and integrated into the College’s curriculum,” said Interim Chief Librarian Amy F. Stempler.

Through the FDLP, GPO partners with approximately 1,150 libraries nationwide to provide public access to authentic, published information from all three branches of the Federal Government in both digital and print formats. The program’s antecedents can be traced back to the act of Congress dated December 27, 1813 (3 Stat. 140), which provided that one copy of the journals and documents of the Senate and House be sent to each university and college and each historical society in each state. GPO has operated the FDLP since 1895. Since 1994, the program has become predominantly digital, but Federal Depository Library print collections nationwide continue to provide the public with a rich diversity of information resources.

GPO is the Federal Government’s official, digital, secure resource for producing, procuring, cataloging, indexing, authenticating, disseminating, and preserving the official information products of the U.S. Government. It is responsible for the production and distribution of information products and services for all three branches of the Federal Government, including U.S. passports for the Department of State, as well as the official publications of Congress, the White House, and other Federal agencies in digital and print formats. GPO provides for permanent public access to Federal Government information at no charge through www.govinfo.gov and partnerships with approximately 1,150 libraries nationwide participating in the Federal Depository Library Program, and our secure online bookstore. For more information, please visit www.gpo.gov.