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Status of Depositories--3 presentations
from the Spring 2003 FDLC
Profile of a Successful Depository | Deposits and Withdrawals
Reasons to Stay in the Program
This presentation was a case study of a library that came close to dropping their depository status after a bad inspection report. The Library at Georgia College and State University was put on probation in 2000 after being rated non-compliant in 5 of 7 areas in their inspection. After reevaluating their committment to the program, they decided to work to keep their status. It was a really inspirational story. One of their main points were that it is a lot of work whether you decide to relinquish your status or to get off probation and keep it. The librarian most responsible for turning the department around stressed the importance of "giving ownership of the program" to everyone in the library, making them all feel that Documents were connected to what they were doing.
Profile of a Successful Depository Library
Some of the characteristics of a successful depository are strong customer focus, "buy-in" to the importance of the program at all levels of the institution, flexibility and responsibility in selection of materials, a high level of coordination with other libraries and entities such as GPO, and a committment to continuous improvement.
Deposits & Withdrawals: Survey of Depositories that have Recently Changed Status
This presentation reviewed a research project which surveyed and analyzed libraries dropping their depository status in FY 2000-2002. They drew some conclusions and identified some "risk factors" (low selection percentage, small size of library in general, and non-academic status) associated with dropping libraries. Their presentation and handouts are on the Web at: www.jsu.edu/depart/library/government/depositories/.
