Government Documents: Federal Depository Library Program

The University Libraries of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University was designated as a selective Federal depository for the Ninth Congressional District in 1907. The libraries are one of three depositories in the district, the others being University of Virginia's College at Wise and Emory and Henry University. At present the libraries receive about 70% of the items available for selection.

The libraries have a strong documents collection including long runs of agency annual reports, complete sets of agricultural series, and strong collections in education, health, business, transportation, military history, and census. In addition, the libraries have purchased microform backup sets of the United States Congressional Serial Set, Congressional publications since 1970, Census records from 1790-date, chemical patents dating from January 1976, and statistical publications after 1977. The libraries purchase all of the necessary commercial indexes, including an online version of the Monthly Catalog of U.S. Government Publications and other electronic indexes to provide access to our collections.

The University Libraries will follow Legal Requirements and Program Regulations of the Federal Depository Library Program in all matters, including selection and disposal of Government Printing Office's (GPO) depository materials. We also follow the Guidelines for Disposal of Government Publications issued by the Virginia regional depository.

Most federal documents can be checked out, except Census publications and items in microforms, which must be used in the library.