Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) welcomes Loudoun County Public Library (LCPL) in Northern Virginia to the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP). Congresswoman Barbara Comstock designated the library as a Federal depository. As a member of the FDLP, LCPL will provide its customers with free digital access to Federal Government information. LCPL has been named one of America’s best public libraries by Library Journal two years in a row. It is made up of nine branches and is the only library in Virginia’s 10th Congressional district to have joined the FDLP.

“I was honored to designate Loudoun County Library as a Federal Depository Library,” said Rep. Barbara Comstock (VA-10). “Through this designation, the Loudoun County Library will now be able to distribute materials from the federal government, the largest publisher in the world. As a part of this program, Loudoun County Library will better serve the Northern Virginia community, and it will be a tremendous asset to researchers in the region.”

“GPO welcomes the Loudoun County Public Library into the FDLP,” said Superintendent of Documents Laurie Hall. “As a member of the program, this library will help GPO carry out its mission of Keeping America Informed by providing the public free digital access to the official publications of the U.S. Government.”

“As the community’s information center, Loudoun County Public Library strives to provide resources that meet the informational, educational and cultural interests of our customers,” said LCPL Director Chang Liu. “Becoming a member of the FDLP fits perfectly with our mission.”

As one of the most innovative library systems in the country, LCPL hand-delivers materials to customers in places like nursing homes and detention centers. It’s also expanding learning opportunities with Makerspaces that offer 3D printers, professional-grade recording studios, robotics, sewing machines and more. Educators and childcare providers who work or live in Loudoun County qualify for the LCPL’s Educator Card, which offers privileges such as borrowing up to 50 items at a time, extended loan periods, and no fines for overdue items.

Through the FDLP, GPO partners with approximately 1,150 libraries nationwide to provide public access to authentic, published information from all three branches of the Federal Government in both digital and print formats. The program's antecedents can be traced back to the act of Congress dated December 27, 1813 (3 Stat. 140), which provided that one copy of the journals and documents of the Senate and House be sent to each university and college and each historical society in each state. GPO has operated the FDLP since 1895. Since 1994, the program has become predominantly digital, but Federal depository library print collections nationwide continue to provide the public with a rich diversity of information resources.