Rinn Law Library

Government Documents

Federal Depository Status

The DePaul University Rinn Law Library was designated a Federal depository in 1979. Previously, it received depository documents via the DePaul University Lincoln Park Campus Library in the Fifth Congressional District which was a designated depository from 1975 to 1980. As a selective federal depository library (currently selecting 8% of available items) the Rinn Law Library supports the general collection activities of the Law School and the University Libraries (Lincoln Park Campus, Loop Campus, and suburban locations), as well as the needs of residents of the Seventh Congressional District. Selections for the DePaul General Libraries are conducted under a formal Selective Housing Agreement with the Law Library.

The law library has housed mostly law-related titles covering all three branches of government. The General Libraries have housed Census Bureau publications and other titles providing demographic and business-related information. All depository materials are cataloged and integrated into the collections.

Public Access

The general public is entitled to use the federal depository publications housed in the DePaul University Libraries. Providing free access to the general public to the resources of the documents collection, including electronic resources, is a basic program obligation.

However, depositories at private institutions (like DePaul University) are not required to serve patrons who do not have a depository-related need to be in the library. In light of current and continuing security concerns, the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) has determined that while keeping in mind the public access requirements of the FDLP, "...depository library administrators may determine local operating hours, access and security procedures," including requiring users to present identification. (See Administrative Notes - v.24 - #04 - p.7, 4/15/2003.) At the Law Library, after being buzzed in at the front door, public users should go to the Circulation desk where they will be asked to sign in and a photo ID will be requested.

For the General Public: Online Research at the Rinn Law Library

The Law library provides several computer workstations near the reference desk that can be used by members of the public to retrieve government information via the Internet. (To safeguard the public workstations, there is blocking software installed and some functionality has been disabled. However, access to all .gov and .mil sites and some designated .edu sites should not be impeded. If there is a problem accessing a legitimate government information web site, please see a reference librarian.)

The FDsys (Federal Digital System, GPO) can provide direct access to specific databases, as well as links to other government resources under the "Browse Collections" link. These sites can also be accessed from any internet-connected computer. See our list of selected government information sites for some possible starting points.

This library is a congressionally designated depository for U.S. Government documents. Public access to the government documents collection is guaranteed by public law. (Title 44 United States Code)