UofM Partners with U.S. Government Publishing Office to Preserve Government Information

Feb. 1, 2023 — The University of Memphis Ned R. McWherter Library is one of three libraries who have signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) to become Preservation Stewards along with the University of Tennessee and the University of Montana.

Three other libraries — the State Library of Ohio in Columbus and libraries at the University of Notre Dame and University of Colorado — are adding materials to their current Preservation Steward collections.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for us and the University of Memphis,” said Perveen Rustomfram, head of Government Publications at the UofM’s Ned R. McWherter Library. “We are excited to partner with the Government Publishing Office and with other federal depository libraries across the country to provide access to and preserve the National Collection of Federal Government information.” 

To help libraries meet the needs of efficient Government document stewardship in the digital era, GPO has established Preservation Stewards to support continued public access to U.S. Government documents in print format. Preservation Stewards contribute significantly to the effort to preserve printed documents.

“GPO is excited to continue its partnership with these six libraries who have committed to preserving Government information and expanding their collections,” said GPO Director Hugh Nathanial Halpern. “By entering into this agreement, these libraries are committing their support to preserving Government information for their communities and the Nation, playing a critical role in helping GPO realize its vision of an America Informed.”

Ned R. McWherter Library, University of Memphis (Memphis, Tennessee) permanently preserving:

Historic and current collection of Peace Corps publications

Mansfield Library, University of Montana (Missoula, Montana) permanently preserving:

Congressional hearings and prints going forward

University of Tennessee, Knoxville Libraries (Knoxville, Tennessee) permanently preserving:

Historic Emergency Conservation Work Agency collections

Historic Civilian Conservation Corps collections

Historic Federal Security Agency collections

State Library of Ohio (Columbus, OH) adding to its current collection:

The House and Senate Journal (current) and House and Senate reports and documents (historic and current)

William A. Wise Law Library, University of Colorado (Boulder, CO) adding to its current collection:

The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 3, The President (historic and current)

Kresge Law Library, University of Notre Dame (Notre Dame, IN) adding to its current collection:

Historic collection of the House Journal

Historic and current collections of the CFR

The CFR Index and Finding Aids

The Federal Register

GPO is the Federal Government’s resource for publishing trusted information for the Federal Government to the American people. The GPO is responsible for the production and distribution of information products and services for all three branches of the Federal Government, including U.S. passports for the Department of State as well as the official publications of Congress, the White House, and other Federal agencies in digital and print formats. GPO provides for permanent public access to Federal Government information at no charge through www.GovInfo.gov and partnerships with approximately 1,100 libraries nationwide participating in the Federal Depository Library Program. For more information, please visit www.gpo.gov.