Congress, higher education, and the U.S. federal depository program

Abstract

It is commonly held that the purpose of the U.S. federal depository library program is to provide government publications at no cost for the informational needs of the general public. In view of this, it seems unusual that academic institutions dominate the program. This apparent anomaly can be understood when one realizes that the depository law was amended to allow expansion of the program in 1962 at a time of increased support for higher education. An examination of Congressional publications of the last two decades reveals that Congress clearly allowed expansion of the depository program because it was willing to assist higher education.