Statement of Purpose
UNCW Library was designated as a selective depository for United States government publications in 1965. The depository collection is administered and maintained according to the requirements of Title 44, Chapter 19 of the United States Code; Instructions to Depository Libraries; and Guidelines for the Depository Library System. The library is committed to providing free access to the collection for UNCW students, faculty, staff, and the general public. Services are provided in person, by telephone, mail, email, and chat reference.
Administration
The Government Resources collection is supervised by the Government Information Librarian with the assistance of part-time student employees. The Librarian is responsible for the selection, de-selection and withdrawal of depository items. Suggestions from library staff and library users are encouraged. The library currently selects mainly items in electronic format, with the exception of only a few titles in print, all available through the Government Publishing Office (GPO) and the North Carolina State Publications Clearinghouse.
Service Area
Wilmington, North Carolina is part of the 7th U.S. Congressional District, which includes Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, Duplin, New Hanover, Pender, Robeson and Sampson counties. We also serve many of our online students and citizens in Onslow County, which is in the 3rd Congressional District.
UNC-Wilmington Library is one of four full paper depositories in North Carolina, meaning we receive all print documents produced by state agencies and departments.
Selection of Material
The List of Classes is the official listing of publications available for selection by depository libraries participating in the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP). The list is arranged by the Superintendent of Documents (SUDOC) classification numbering system and is designed to group together publications by the same government author. The List of Classes is used at UNCW Library to identify item numbers for potential addition to, or deletion from the library’s item selection profile.
UNCW Library selects and receives all essential titles listed in the FDLP Basic Collection. The North Carolina State print documents are being retained and actively collected, in addition to monthly downloads of NC born digital titles.
Determining Needs
Methods of determining needs:
- FDLP Basic (or Core) Collection
- Course descriptions in the UNCW undergraduate and graduate catalogs.
- Student, faculty, staff, and general public requests for specific documents and requests for information during research transactions.
- The distance from, and size of other U.S. depository collections.
Collection Maintenance
The collection is maintained in accordance with the guidelines provided in the Federal Depository Library Program's Rules and Instructions
Questions about this policy may be addressed to Elisabeth Garner, Government Information Librarian.