British Columbia has historically had government
publication depositories only at the Legislative
Library and at the University of British Columbia
Library.

Under 2 full program, libraries throughout the
province would be designated as either full or
snlective depositories for government publications.
Depository libraries would automatically receive
publications without charge.

A depository program will be effective only if
government departments and agencies have positive
and mandatory obligations. The government can
most clearly express its intention in this regard by
entrenching those obligations in statute and
regulation.

The Access to Information and Protection of Privacy

legislation proposed for British Columbia presents
an ideal opportunity for the establishment of a
depository library program.

Proposal for a_ British Columbia
Government Publication Depository
Library Program

The British Columbia Library Assodation has
lobbied for such a program for over 20 years. In
1990, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, Recreation,
and Culture recognized the need for a Government
Publications Depository Library Program. A small
pilot proje.t managed by the Library Services
Branch and assisted by BCLA was funded for three
years. This program is limited in scope to 43
libraries and approximately 15 core publications and
therefore does not represent a full depository
system.

The current pilot project has identified libraries
throughout the Province that are willing and able to
serve as depositories for government publications.
As well, knowledge and expertise has been gained
for implementation of a full depository program.

The program involves establishing a centralized
distribution system within government to deliver
full sets of government publications to designated
libraries, and permits other libraries throughout the
Province to receive selected government
publications at no cost.

University, college and public libraries around the
province would be accorded full or selective
government publication depository status
depending on size and character.

Scope of Programs

1. Full Depositories

A full depository library will receive a
complete set of government publications
automatically. Currently there are two full
depository libraries in British Columbia, the
Legislative Library and the University of
British Columbia. We propose expanding
this number to six by including the
University of Victoria, Simon Fraser
University, the University of Northern
British Columbia, and Vancouver Public
Library.

Sziected Depositorie

Selected depository libraries will receive the
monthly checklist so as to select those items
appropriate fo~ che use of their public and
inclusion in ‘heir collection. Selected
depository libraries would service an area of
at least 2,000 por-ulation, have at least one
full-time employee, and be open at least 20
hours a week.

Monthly Checklist

All libraries in B.C. who wish it would
receive the British Columbia Government
Publications: Monthlv. Checklist without
charge.

There would be established within the Ministry of
Government Services a Publications Office with
responsibility for collecting and distributing
government publications to libraries.

Within one week of issuing a publication, each
department of each Ministry and each “public body”
(induding sub-definitions (4), (b) and (c) in s. 1 of
the Auditor Generali Act) would supply copies of
the publication to the Legislative Library and copies

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