Public Service & Internet Use Policies
for Depository Titles in Electronic Form
Updated April 29, 2008.
The Gallagher Law Library is a selective depository for United States government publications. Our item selection focuses on legal and law-related documents, including congressional materials, administrative regulations, administrative decisions, and presidential papers. We are open to the public.
The
Federal
Depository Library Program (FDLP) disseminates government information
products in a variety of formats: print, microfiche, tangible electronic (CD
ROM), and online. Online is now the format preferred by the FDLP. Libraries
are required to provide public access to depository items selected in
electronic formats.
The FDLP has two sets of guidelines that provide performance goals for depository libraries: Depository Library Public Service Guidelines For Government Information in Electronic Formats and FDLP Internet Use Policy Guidelines. The Gallagher Law Library guidelines, which are consistent with FDLP guidelines, are set out below.
Public Service Guidelines for Government Information in Electronic Format
Electronic government publications selected by the Library are integrated into the collection and are accessible through the online catalog. Links are provided for Internet publications. CD ROMs may be checked out. If a patron prefers to use a CD ROM in the Library, the Library's Computer Services and Reference staff will attempt to make the CD ROM available on a public workstation in a reasonable time frame.
Electronic access to a wide variety of government information is available through GPO Access. In addition, many legal or law-related government information sources are included in the online Gallagher Legal Research Guides, particularly Internet Legal Resources.
Public Internet workstations are located throughout the Library (see maps for specific locations). Patrons may read or download information for free. Documents may be printed through a pay-to-print service. Costs associated with printing are consistent with general library policy.
Under the FDLP functional approach to electronic service capabilities, we comply with FDLP requirements for service. Our current configuration provides timely and equitable public access and is more than adequate to perform text-based electronic legal research.
Reference service is provided for electronic government information at the same level as for commercial products. Reference librarians provide individual assistance to public users.
The Library's website includes information about its depository collection and services. This page includes links to selected government information research guides.
Distance users may contact the Library's Copy & Send service. Costs associated with faxing and mailing government information are consistent with general library policies.
Internet Use Policy Guidelines
The general public may access information products in the FDLP Electronic Collection, at no charge.
Public Internet workstations are available throughout the Library (see maps for specific locations). Use of the public PCs is limited to 1 hour per day. Use of the 4 legal research only PCs (in the Reference Area) is limited to 2 hours per day. Accessing government information is considered legal research for these purposes. A software program monitors usage and users are automatically alerted when their time is about to expire.
University of Washington faculty, students, and staff sign in at the PCs with their UW NetIDs. Other users who have registered to check out books from the Gallagher Law Library sign in with their barcode number. Users who have not yet registered may obtain a temporary barcode at the Circulation Desk upon presentation of identification. There is no fee to obtain a barcode.
These computers do not have filtering software.
Users with laptop or notebook computers may access the wireless network. See Access to Computers & Computing in the Library for more detailed information.