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 Xavier University Library was designated by law to become a selective depository for United States Government documents in 1991, under the provisions of Title 44 U.S.C. 1907. Xavier’s depository selects 17% of the material available through the Federal Depository Library Program. The mission of the Federal Depository Library Program is to provide United States residents with free access to federal government information. The primary patrons of the Xavier University Government Depository are the students, faculty and staff of Xavier University. It also serves the Government information needs of the 2nd Congressional District of Louisiana in conjunction with the Louisiana Supreme Court, U.S. Court of Appeals, New Orleans Public Library, University of New Orleans, Our Lady of Holy Cross College, Tulane University School of Law and University Libraries, Southern University, and Loyola University School of Law and University Libraries.
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In active support of the mission statements by Xavier University, the University Library and Federal Depository Library Program, the Government Documents Depository will provide to Xavier University, the community of the 2nd Congressional District of Louisiana and all U.S. residents, free and easy public access to federal government information. We will acquire, process and organize, preserve, support and promote the effective use of federal government information to supplement and support the academic curriculum and research needs of Xavier University. This depository will serve as a catalyst to promote good citizenship, scholastic growth through information literacy and pride in this great nation.
Located on the second floor of Xavier University Library Resource Center, U.S. government documents are housed in open stacks as well as ready reference and index tables. Xavier’s government documents are accessible through the Xavier Automated Catalog, XACweb. With our subscription to MARCive’s services for records for our depository selections, the Library catalog serves as the “shelf list” for the collection. The collection is arranged according to Superintendent of Documents (SuDoc) call number classification system.
The depository maintains several indexes to government publications, including the Government Publication Office (GPO) Monthly Catalog (available in paper, CD-ROM, WWW), Public Affairs Information Service –PAIS and The Guide to U.S. Government Publications to name a few.
To increase public awareness and usage of the depository, appropriate signage is positioned throughout the resource center. There are shelf labels, a SuDocs poster and library directories. GPO black directional signs can be found near the staircase and elevator on each floor. A large depository ceiling emblem hangs on the second floor. Depository door and window decals, which promote the depository designation and the electronic accessibly of U.S. Government Information, adhere to all public entrances. All public entrances are flat throughways. In addition to flat entrances the doors that lead into our libraries main entrance have automatic door sensors.
Access to Online resources is provided through the library web page and Library Online Catalog (XACweb). The depository hardware meets the “Recommended Specifications for Public Access Workstations in Federal Depository Libraries”.
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The federal documents collection has been designated as NON-CIRCULATING, but special loans for up to 5 days may be granted to members of the Xavier community with a valid Xavier University ID. Those who are not affiliated with Xavier are encouraged to use the government documents collection in the library. When loans are granted, documents can be checked out manually from the Government Documents Reference Desk on the second floor. When that desk is closed, documents can be checked out at the main reference desk on the first floor. Only a reference faculty or staff member can perform this task. We promote a loan window of 2 to 5 days. Patrons are encouraged to return their documents to the desk where it was signed out, so that a faculty or staff member can record the document as returned.
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The depository is open and accessible during regular library hours.
The federal documents librarian develops the U.S. federal collection in consultation with other resource specialists, students, faculty and staff. The selection of government documents is coordinated with Xavier’s Educational programs, academic curriculum and administrative departments research needs. Each year the item selections are reviewed.
The language of the collection is almost entirely in English. However we also have small number of documents in Spanish, Japanese, Dutch, German and Yiddish.
Xavier’s depository selects federal information in all the available formats; paper, microfiche, maps, CD-ROM, floppy disk, VHS and electronic materials.
Government Documents Department, Library Resources Center, 2nd floor
504-520-5296
Elizabeth Elmwood |
