§1912 Regional Depositories; Designation; Functions; Disposal of Publications

Summary

Each State and Puerto Rico may have up to two regional depository libraries. Those regional libraries must get copies of all new and updated Government publications sent to depository libraries from the Superintendent of Documents. A Senator or Puerto Rico’s Resident Commissioner can name a regional library, but the state's chief library official must approve first and confirm the library will keep at least one copy of every Government publication in print or microform (unless the Superintendent allows discarding), and will offer interlibrary loan, reference help, and disposal assistance to other depository libraries in its area. When chosen, the Senator or Resident Commissioner must send the library’s agreement to the Superintendent of Documents. Regional depositories may let depository libraries in their area discard Government publications they have kept for at least five years, but only after offering them first to other depository libraries in the area and then to other libraries.