REACHING OUR PEAK: RESOLVING ISSUES FOR LAW LIBRARIES IN THE FEDERAL DEPOSITORY LIBRARY PROGRAM

Access Policies for FDLP Collections in Law Libraries

Kate Irwin-Smiler

LEGAL REQUIREMENTS OF DEPOSITORIES To make depository materials available for

free use by the general public; To maintain the depository materials and the

collection so they are accessible to the public.

Public access may be provided in a manner and at a time and a location that secures the safety of personnel and property

- FDLP Handbook

THE PROJECT

Examine access policies to see how libraries are implementing the time/manner/location elements of FDLP policy

Caveats: Examples and statistics are primarily from

academic libraries More variation and more examples Court, special, state and agency libraries: mostly not

restricted or policy doesn’t specify restrictions on public access

Size of collection based on current collection levels

COMMON RESTRICTIONS

Identification Limited Hours Reference Interview

CONTENT OF IDENTIFICATION RESTRICTIONS Identification required

To merely present or to leave Sometimes specify photo ID, government issued

Sign in or register At a library desk or security guard

In a couple cases: a general ID requirement is waived for docs patrons

CONTENT OF HOURS RESTRICTIONS

Tiered Access Longer hours for primary patrons than public Weekday business hours, weekday evening, 1 or

2 weekend days Several have no explicit mention of docs patrons

Based on staffing (Reference or circulation) Restrictions based on building security

Often imposed by the parent organization (the university, the law school, etc.)

CONTENT OF REFERENCE INTERVIEW RESTRICTIONS Gatekeeping function

Requires an appointment or arrangement for visit

Sometimes as a result of parent organization policy

Verifying need for materials in collection Context: FDLP collection limited in subject areas

Assisting users in finding information Sometimes optional: “for convenience” Sometimes more strict: “under the

supervision…”

COMMON RESTRICTIONSRestrictions Percent of

PoliciesNumber of Policies

Identification 21.9% 34

Hours 20.0% 31

Reference Interview 9.7% 15

Identification & Hours 4.5% 7

Identification & Reference Interview

2.6% 4

Hours & Reference Interview 2.6% 4

No Restrictions 58.1% 90

RESTRICTIONS BY SIZE OF FDLP COLLECTION

RESTRICTIONS BY SIZE OF FDLP COLLECTION

RESTRICTIONS BY SIZE OF FDLP COLLECTION

RESTRICTIONS BY LOCATION

Restriction Top 10 Cities

Next 10 Cities

Outside Top 20

Identification 39.0% 23.5% 14.4%

Hours 24.4% 23.5% 17.5%

Reference Interview 29.3% 0.0% 3.1%

ID & Hours 9.8% 5.9% 2.1%

ID & Ref. Interview 9.8% 0.0%* 0.0%

Hours & Ref. Interview 4.9% 0.0%* 2.1%

No Restrictions 31.7% 58.8% 69.1%

Top 10: 41 libraries (26.5%); Next 10: 17 (11.0%); Outside: 97 (62.6%)

ACCESS POLICY CONTENT: GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS

Is there a specific mention of government documents patrons?

Discussion of the “primary mission” “privately funded research facility” “exists primarily to serve the needs of [students,

faculty, etc.] Are patrons limited to FDLP collection? Tone of policy

ENCOURAGING TONE

“Welcome!” “Provide free and unimpeded access” Even when the actual access is limited

“All government documents are available for public use”

“Patrons are encouraged to visit during [hours]” “Welcome the community at large when legal

resources are needed” “collections are available to all individuals for

use on site”

DISCOURAGING TONE “… closed to the general public, except…” “Only visitors...accessing federal government

documents are welcome” Requiring specific knowledge of documents

“email request…detailing the nature of the research project”

“wish to view specific government documents” “deny library privileges [to any patron who] fails

to register and show appropriate identification”

QUESTIONS?

Kate Irwin-Smiler irwinsc@wfu.edu

Thanks to Gretchen Jennings (WFU ’10) Andrew Irwin-Smiler

Slides to be posted at SlideShare.com: #AALL2010