Enhanced Local Access to Key Government Maps and Publications at University Libraries

University Libraries has been chosen to receive important resources from the Government Publishing Office's Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP). This new approach differs from the previous model, where almost all 1,150 FDLP libraries received print materials. Now, University Libraries is one of only 20 libraries in the U.S. tasked with preserving and providing access to these documents, supporting the FDLP's goals of archival preservation and public access.

The Government Publishing Office (GPO), which distributes information from federal agencies and Congress, has revised its distribution strategy. This change reduces the print distribution of about 50 key publications and introduces a competitive selection process for FDLP libraries. The criteria prioritize an institution’s ability to preserve documents and provide community access. University Libraries has gained the rights to distribute five important titles, including government-issued maps and The Minerals Yearbook.

Among the awarded titles, the 'BLM 1:100,000 Scale Maps, 30X60 degrees series, Surface Management Status' is notable. University Libraries is one of only five Western Libraries to hold this title, sharing it with major libraries like the Los Angeles Public Library and the University of Michigan. This enhances access to essential geographic information.

These BLM maps are crucial for understanding Nevada’s geographical and developmental history, where the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages 63 percent of the land. They are important for education and research, showing land ownership changes in the American West. For example, the University of Nevada, Reno, was funded by the sale of public lands, a history detailed in these maps.

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