ensure the preservation of official Government information content in the 21st century, in 2004 GPO embarked on the construction of a more comprehensive online capability, called GPO's Federal Digital System, or FDsys. Scheduled to become available for public use in late 2008, the new system will serve as GPO's digital platform for the production, storage, and dissemination of official Government publications for the years to come.
Opened to the public in 1994, the GPO Access Web site was GPO's entrance into the digital age. GPO Access provides free electronic access to a wealth of important information products produced by the Federal Government. The information provided is the official published version, and information retrieved from GPO Access can be used without restriction unless specifically noted. This free service is funded through annual appropriations provided to GPO's Federal Depository Library Program.
Under the GPO Access legislation, the Superintendent of Documents, under the direction of the Public Printer, is required to: (1) Maintain an electronic directory of Federal electronic information; (2) provide a system of online access to the Congressional Record, the Federal Register, and other appropriate publications as determined by the Superintendent of Documents; (3) operate an electronic storage facility for Federal electronic information; and (4) maintain the Federal Bulletin Board, which was then already in existence.
GPO Access services are designed to meet the needs of a variety of users. GPO Access consists of content and links, including official, full-text information from the three branches of the Federal Government. Databases are updated based on their print equivalent and generally date back to 1994.
Users can find information on the Federal Depository Library Program, which provides no-fee public access to publications disseminated by GPO, regardless of format. GPO Access enables users to locate a depository library in their area.
