Federal Depository Library Program - Attaining FDLP Status

Attaining FDLP Status

There are two ways in which a library may qualify for FDLP status:

1. Each member of Congress may delegate two qualified libraries if his or her district is not already being adequately served by a depository library. The governor of American Samoa and the governor of Guam may each designate one library if vacancies exist. The governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands may designate two libraries if vacancies exist (one each for Saint Thomas and Saint Croix). The mayor of the District of Columbia may also designate two libraries if vacancies exist.
2. A library may be given FDLP status via "by-law designations" (Title 44 of the U.S. Code). Any library that meets the following criteria automatically qualifies for FDLP status:
   1. Land-grant colleges and universities (44 U.S.C. 1906)
   2. Libraries of federal agencies, i.e. executive departments, service academies, independent agencies (44 U.S.C. 1907)
   3. Highest appellate court of a state (44 U.S.C. 1915)
   4. Accredited law schools (44 U.S.C. 1916)