Federal Government Information

In accepting designation as a Federal Depository Library, the ASU Library and Government Documents Service have agreed to follow the regulations officially governing such libraries. Therefore, no discrimination may be made between university and non-university users in providing reference service or physical access to the documents collection including paper, microforms, and electronic resources.

Reference service includes in-person interactions, telephone, written correspondence, and email reference.

The Libraries offer a wide range of support services for disabled users. The ADA Room on the Concourse level of Hayden Library is the primary location for assistance to disabled users; each of the branch libraries maintains a basic ADA workstation.

Documents are housed in open shelving area, according to SuDoc call number, and are available to all patrons the hours that the building is open to the public. An ASU ID is required for building access from midnight to 7AM when Hayden library is open 24 hours.  There are no restrictions on the use of the materials. Print stations are available throughout the library, and the public may obtain a print card to make photocopies of materials. Any documents housed in the Remote Store facility can be requested to be delivered to any ASU library by contacting circulation. Materials are obtained from the storage facility three times a week.

Free and unrestricted access is provided to Federal Depository Library Program information on the Internet, i.e., the FDLP Electronic Collection. Printing costs are charged per the Libraries’ overall policy. Use of depository workstations to access the FDLP is governed by the Libraries’ computer use policy. Access to certain commercial databases may be restricted to ASU users according to subscription agreements.

Government Documents follows the current Circulation Policy of the University Libraries (available at the Libraries’ home page). All circulation functions, billing, etc. are performed by the Access Services Department of the ASU Library; documents are checked out through Access Services. Content rather than format determines the circulation of government documents. Therefore, the Department has circulating paper, microfiche/film, CD-ROMs, and DVDs.

Borrowing privileges for non-ASU users are available for Arizona residents at least 21 years of age with the purchase of an ASU Community Card.

Subject-specific library instruction classes are prepared and presented on request by the Government Information Librarian.  Additionally, librarians assist in tours and large group orientations as an outreach and promotion effort.

Depository Collections are necessarily part of a local/regional, and national network. Regional Depositories receive all Depository items and are under obligation to make these items available for use within the region they serve. Thus any item not selected by ASU Library, and which is a Depository Item, is available for use (and perhaps interlibrary loan) from the regional depository at the Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records. Regular interaction with other large depositories in Arizona is followed through referral and interlibrary loan. Primary referrals: Phoenix Public Library, Mesa Public Library, NAU Cline Library, University of Arizona Main Library.

Policy accepted, 1980

Revisions: 1995; 2001, 2009, 2012