Federal Depository Documents Access Policy

As a Congressionally-designated Federal Depository Library for the 4th Congressional District of Massachusetts, the Wellesley College Library makes Government publications available for the free use of the general public, regardless of age . The Library supports and adheres to the access policies outlined in Instructions to Depository Libraries, revised January 2008, developed by the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO). Selected portions of Chapter 4: Public Service are quoted here:

• "Security concerns of your library may lead local library administrators to implement policies to safeguard facilities and personnel including those of the depository. Permissible actions include:
  • Asking users for identification.
  • Asking users to sign a guest register.
  • Asking questions that screen users to verify that the library houses the documents relevant to their information needs, and even escorting users to the depository collection."
• "Your library is not required to serve users who do not have a depository-related need to be in the library. Under a strict interpretation of the statute, a user from outside of your library's principal user group may be limited to using only depository information resources. The public may not exploit the use of depository information resources as a pretext to circumvent your library policies on the use of materials purchased or licensed for the use of your library’s primary clientele."
• "Your library has the right to bar or remove any individual who poses a threat to library staff, other users, or the security of the collections or facility."

To find what government documents we have here at Wellesley, start by doing a search in our library catalog. Most publications are housed at the Margaret Clapp Library; however, a large number of science titles and United States Geological Survey (USGS) maps are housed at the Science Center. Most depository materials may be requested through Interlibrary Loan. To find government documents in general, use the Catalog of U.S. Government Publications provided by GPO. Pre-1976 documents can be hard to trace down. Ask a librarian for help.

Due to the complexity of finding government materials, it is recommended that users come to the Library when help is available at a Reference Desk. The collection is non-circulating except with the permission of the Government Documents Coordinator or the Science Librarian. There is no charge for borrowing but a photo ID will be required, showing name, address, and phone number, in order to account for the borrowed publication in our library system. Please call (781) 283-2100 or visit our Government Documents home page for information and reference hours.

Depository patrons will be expected to display appropriate conduct as library users. The Library reserves the right to remove any disruptive patron.

The Margaret Clapp Library and the Science Library are accessible to the physically challenged. The mezzanine of the Science Library (containing books and books in series) cannot be accessed by elevator; users are asked to please call ahead and staff members will have requested materials ready when the patron arrives.

PAPER & MICROFICHE TITLES:

• The Library selects material in various formats; paper, microfiche, and electronic. Any federal depository publication, plus access to our microform reader/printer, is available to the general public. The reader/printer converts microfiche to a pdf which can be emailed to the user.

ELECTRONIC MATERIALS:

Campus visitors are granted use of the Wellesley College Wireless network for a 24 hour period, but access is limited to non-Wellesley websites due to licensing and security issues. Users must adhere to Wellesley's Responsible Use of Information Technology policy.

• CD-ROMs/DVDs: Government information in CD-ROM/DVD, format distributed through the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP), is available to the public, but it is recommended that a patron call ahead in order for a staff member to have the requested title loaded at a work station. Reference and government documents staff will make every effort to assist patrons in the use of our CDs and DVDs, but software and content variations make it difficult to be extremely knowledgeable about every CD/DVD. Information may be downloaded to a pre-formatted storage device supplied by the user. The library is not responsible for any loss or damage to personal storage devices when downloading. Material may not be stored on a Wellesley computer's hard drive.

• FDLP Internet Use: Patrons wishing to access official government information from the Internet are welcome to use any of the computers in the Reference areas of the campus libraries, but the computers may not be used for general internet browsing or for accessing personal e-mail accounts, chat rooms, or social networking sites. Printers are available as well. The Library supports and adheres to the FDLP Internet Use Policy Guidelines. There are no sign-up sheets to use our computers; however, there are written policies stating priority is given to those needing the computers for library research. Computers may not be reserved ahead of time.

The Wellesley College Library Research & Instruction staff will provide reference assistance in accessing the Depository information users are seeking, regardless of format. If we do not select the items that are needed, we will attempt to help the user locate where the information may be found.

• Return to the Government Documents home page
• Visit the Science Library home page

• Betty Febo
• Wellesley College Library
• Date Created: October 5, 2000
• Date Updated: February 5, 2008
• Expires: permanent