MLA President Barbara A. Epstein, AHIP, FMLA has thanked Representatives Gregg Harper (R) MS-03 and Robert Brady (D) PA-01 for introducing H.R. 5305, the FDLP (Federal Depository Library Program) Modernization Act of 2018 that will modernize the FDLP and provide for no-fee permanent across to government information.
The bill was introduced after months of hearings, stakeholder meetings, and library association negotiations with the Committee on House Administration. The Act seeks to:
- Establish a national collection of Information Dissemination Products (IDPs) and to provide no-fee permanent public access to the collection
- Carry out a cataloging and indexing program
- Carry out a by-law distribution program
- Collaborate with offices of the Federal government, Federal Depository Libraries, and library associations and consortia
MLA was pleased to join the American Association of Law Libraries in sending recommendations for Title 44 reform to the House Committee on Administration last fall.