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The U.S. Government Printing Office is pleased to announce that it is accepting nominations for its first annual Federal Depository Library of the Year Award.

GPO recognizes that Federal depository libraries invest significant time and resources in their public services. This award will provide special recognition for a library that furthers the goal of the Federal Depository Library Program; by ensuring that the American public has free access to its Government's information through:

• Outstanding service to meet the Federal government information needs in the library’s service area
• Creativity and innovation in developing specific community programs for use of Federal government information or a dramatic increase in their community’s usage of Federal government information
• Leadership in creating public service programs that can be emulated by other Federal Depository Libraries

You are invited to nominate your library, or any other Federal Depository Library, regardless of its size or type.

The Federal Depository Library of the Year demonstrates the following attributes:

• Documented knowledge of the Federal government information needs in the library’s service area;
• Knowledgeable depository staff to assist patrons in the identification and use of the Federal government information that best meets their needs;
• Excellent bibliographic control practices that enhance public access;
• Outstanding public services, including significant promotion of the collection and services in the library and in the community;
• Substantial cooperative efforts with other depository and non-depository libraries to share knowledge and resources with a larger community;
• Access to a well-defined collection of Federal depository tangible and electronic resources adequate to meet the needs of the library’s service area;
• Exceptional care and preservation of the depository collection.

The nomination should focus on the above attributes. You are encouraged to discuss any innovations, collaborations with other libraries and community organizations, and other accomplishments that greatly enhance access to Federal government information at the nominated library. You are welcome to reference online information, such as the library’s home page and collection development or other policies, by providing their Web addresses. You may also submit copies of policies, testimonials, promotional materials, or other information that document superior service within the past 12 to 18 months. The U.S. Government Printing Office will retain the nominations and any attachments.

The nomination deadline is June 30, 2003. The selection committee will be comprised of the Superintendent of Documents, the Director of Library Programs Service, and the Chair of the Depository Library Council to the Public Printer.

The award-winning library will be notified by the end of August and will be recognized at the 2003 fall Federal Depository Library Conference, which will be held October 19-22 in Arlington, Virginia. GPO will provide travel and lodging to the Conference for the depository coordinator and the library director from the winning library to accept a certificate honoring their recognition as Federal Depository Library of the Year. The annual Conference is the largest gathering of government documents librarians in the country and is a wonderful opportunity for the depository coordinator and director from the winning library to highlight their library’s best practices and outstanding service.

Each entry must include the following information:

1. Name, address and phone number of nominated library and the name of the person to contact should the library become a finalist, as well as contact information for the submitter if different from the library contact.
2. A written explanation of up to several pages, or a list of bulleted narrative points, that clearly enumerates how the library's accomplishments fit the criteria for the award listed above. (Note: Entries that describe programs and their effects on the community will be especially helpful to the judges in rendering a decision. While supporting materials, such as brochures, testimonials, press clippings, etc., may be included and are helpful, they are less important than the written narrative.)
3. Statistical data, if available, including the population served; number of staff dedicated to the use of Federal government information; percentage of the dedicated staff who are professional librarians; and usage of the Federal government information collection by the community. (Note: The judges do not make selections based on numbers, though they are helpful in giving context to the written submission.)

Please submit the nominations to: