This guide facilitates access to information created by the federal government of the United States, its branches, agencies, and entities. Dartmouth Libraries is a congressionally designated depository for U.S. Government documents. Public access to the government documents collection is guaranteed by public law. (Title 44 United States Code). As a participant in the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP), we serve all individuals interested in federal information. As an academic library, we support the students, staff, and faculty of Dartmouth College with guidance to an astonishing resource for research, learning, and teaching.
In 1813, the federal government moved to place select government publications with participating libraries throughout the United States and its territories. Dartmouth Libraries became a depository on June 7, 1884, and joined today's FDLP when established in 1962. Today, the Libraries no longer receive print documents. Print materials remain, but our service lies in helping with access to information in myriad forms and the community we foster.
For more about FDLP, including our obligations as a depository library, visit the program's website.
The Federal Depository Library Directory (FDLD) can help you find the nearest depository library or one that best serves your needs.
The depository coordinator for Dartmouth Libraries and your liaison librarian is Wendel Cox.
Many of the links in this guide direct users to content that is accessible to anyone. Other links direct users to content to which Dartmouth Libraries subscribes for the use and benefit of its students, staff, and faculty. Where listed, such links are designated parenthetically with (Dartmouth). These resources are inaccessible remotely, save for Dartmouth students, staff, and faculty. The Upper Valley community and visitors can access these resources while visiting Dartmouth libraries. Users not Dartmouth-affiliated but interested in such resources should inquire with their public library, colleges, and universities. Dartmouth alums have access to a limited suite of online subscription resources.
The list of resources linked below reproduces the FDLP's Basic Collection, the current selection of vital sources of information that support the public's right to know about the workings and essential activities of the Federal Government. As a federal depository library, Dartmouth Libraries must make these resources available immediately. Some of these works are available in print; consult the FDLP depository coordinator for print availability and access.