Overview of the Tutorial

The purpose of this application is to help library workers understand and implement basic procedures for processing US federal publications and information resources. These procedures are required by law and are governed by the US Government Printing Office. The tutorial contains three modules:

  1. Basics of documents processing
  2. Collection maintenance
  3. Guide to the Superintendent of Documents classification system

The tutorial is a joint project of the Government Documents Special Interest Section of the American Association of Law Librarians (AALL) and the American Library Association's Government Documents Roundtable (GODORT).

The primary target audience includes clerks and librarians at hundreds of law libraries throughout the country who participate in the depository library program. Altogether, staff at nearly 1,400 depository libraries in general (not just law libraries) can further benefit from this instruction. Given the large number of potential users, and their geographic diversity, Web-based media seems the most logical choice for distribution.

Prerequisites for the tutorial include the usual basic computer skills, such as use of a mouse and desktop navigation. Previous knowledge of government information and publishing is not necessary, though users who are already familiar with the depository library program will probably appreciate the application more.

Content Outline

  1. Overview
    1. Purpose
    2. List of modules
    3. Credits
     
  2. Basics of documents processing
    1. Introduction to the Procedures
    2. Shipping Lists
    3. Check-in Procedures
    4. Completion of process
    5. Claims
     
  3. Guide to weeding procedures (deselection)
    1. Identifying Superseded Materials
    2. Identifying Obsolete and Non-Historical Materials
    3. Preparation of Needs and Offers List
    4. Posting of the Needs and Offers List with Regional Depository
    5. Procedures for Discarding Materials
     
  4. Superintendent of Documents Classification System
    1. Creating SuDocs Numbers
    2. Understanding SuDocs Numbers
    3. Numeric order of SuDocs Numbers
    4. Shelving Materials with SuDocs Numbers

 


Next Page Return to the Home Page Additional Resources Test Your Knowledge Module 3 Module 2 Begin Module 1 Help with the Tutorial Previous Page Module 2 Help with the Tutorial Overview of the Tutorial Module 1 Module 2 Module 3 Final Test Additional Resources Home Page