New York State Library Selected as Preservation Steward for U.S. Government Publishing Office

The New York State Library has signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) to become a Preservation Steward, State Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa announced today. Under this agreement, the State Library pledges to keep permanent print collections of historical and current government publications produced by the GPO.

Board of Regents Chancellor Lester W. Young, Jr. said, “The State Library’s partnership with the Government Publishing Office not only expands its collections but also promotes open access to significant federal documents, both past and present. This collaboration is crucial in fostering a more transparent and knowledgeable democracy and aligns with the overarching objective of preserving valuable printed materials for public use and accessibility.”

State Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa said, “Since our government collects, disseminates, and aggregates volumes of information, this partnership represents a significant opportunity for the New York State Library to take an active role in helping to preserve these important historical documents and materials. Furthermore, it will ensure that this information is not only available to the public, but also to academics and researchers, preserving content for future generations.”

The New York State Library agrees to perpetually preserve print collections of:

• Historic and current Congressional Hearings,
• Historic and current Bound Congressional Record, and
• Historic and current Code of Federal Regulations.

In this digital era, Preservation Stewards help to support continued public access to U.S. Government documents in print format. The New York State Library joins 50 other Preservation Steward partners that contribute significantly to the effort to preserve printed documents and serve as digital access partners providing digital access to Government information.

GPO is the Federal Government’s resource for publishing trusted information for the Federal Government to the American people. The GPO is responsible for the production and distribution of information products and services for all three branches of the Federal Government, including U.S. passports for the Department of State as well as the official publications of Congress, the White House, and other Federal agencies in digital and print formats. GPO provides permanent public access to Federal Government information at no charge through www.govinfo.gov and partnerships with approximately 1,100 libraries nationwide through the Federal Depository Library Program. For more information, please visit www.gpo.gov.

The New York State Library is part of the Office of Cultural Education within the New York State Education Department, and celebrated its bicentennial in 2018. The Library serves three major constituencies. The Regent Joseph E. Bowman Jr. Research Library, established by law in 1818, collects, preserves, and makes available materials that support State government work. The Library's collections, now numbering over 20 million items, may also be used by other researchers onsite, online, and via interlibrary loan. The Talking Book and Braille Library (TBBL) lends braille, audiobooks, magazines, and special playback equipment to residents of the 55 upstate counties of New York State who cannot read printed materials because of a visual or physical disability. The Division of Library Development works in partnership with 72 library systems to bring library services to millions of people who use New York's academic, public, school, and special libraries. Library Development also administers state and federal grant programs that provide aid for library services. The State Library also offers webinars, events, and onsite genealogy tours. For a complete list of upcoming programs, visit the State Library's website.