Federal Depository
The Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library was designated a selective Federal Depository Library in 1969. It is designated to serve the interests of the residents of the Thirteenth Congressional District.
In exchange for receiving automatic shipments of Federal publications, Federal depository libraries agree to catalog, house and maintain these publications and to assist people in locating information in Federal publications and resources. Public access to the government documents collection is guaranteed by public law. (Title 44 United States Code)
Federal documents received as part of the Federal Depository Library Program include reference materials, books, pamphlets, magazines, microfiche, CD-ROMs, and DVDs. Access is also provided to on-line government information and websites via computers available from within the library.
The library places special emphasis on receiving Federal publications containing demographics and census information, business resource information and statistics, consumer oriented medical and health information and basic legal materials.
Federal documents are available for use free of charge by all patrons regardless of age or residence. Many Federal publications can be checked out for home use.
In addition to fulfilling its obligation to maintain federal publications, the Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library also receives many publications issued by agencies of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and other county and municipal agencies.
During tax season, the library is a distribution point for Federal and State personal income tax forms.
The library also purchases other publications to provide additional information and resources on business, demographics, statistics, etc.
The library’s website provides links to websites that offer additional information about our government and the information it provides to its citizens.
For more information about these on-line resources, please visit our Government Information page.
The Federal Depository Library Program’s Basic Collection consists of “vital sources of information that support the public’s right to know about the workings and essential activities of the Federal Government.” Some of these resources are available in a physical format in the collection of the Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library. Others may only be available online. These basic resources provide necessary information about your government. Other online government resources may also be found in the lists of recommended websites found in the Information/Research section on this site under the Recommended Online Resources link and also in the Coping in Today’s Economy section on the homepage of this library. For more information about these and other government sources of information, please contact the reference department of the Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library. Access the Basic Collection.