Idaho State University Eli M. Oboler Library celebrates 110 years in GPO’s Federal Depository Library Program  

The FDLP ensures that the public has free access to Federal documents in participating libraries across the Nation. The libraries, in partnership with Government Publishing Office (GPO) work in support of Keeping America Informed.

“Our library has proudly served as a federal depository library since 1908 when Sen. Borah sponsored the designation. We are currently the only depository east of Boise in the state of Idaho” said Beth Downing, government documents librarian at the ISU Eli M. Oboler Library.

Through the Federal Deposit Library Program, approximately 1,150 libraries nationwide work with GPO to provide public access to authentic, published information from all three branches of the Federal Government in print and electronic formats. The program's antecedents can be traced back to the act of Congress dated Dec. 27, 1813 (3 Stat. 140), which provided that one copy of the journals and documents of the U.S. Senate and House be sent to each university and college and each historical society in each state. GPO has operated the FDLP since 1895.

Librarians at nationwide FDLP libraries also offer expert assistance in navigating digital copies of many of the historical and current Government documents through govinfo and GPO’s Catalog of U.S. Government Publications.

There will be a reception to celebrate the Eli M. Oboler Library’s 110th anniversary of offering these services on Nov. 1, from 5 to 7 p.m. Laurie Hall, the superintendent of documents for the FDLP, will deliver a keynote speech.