Kentucky has 21 Federal Depository Libraries. The depository community reaches the citizens of Kentucky through academic, public, and special libraries, as well as the Kentucky State Library in Frankfort. The oldest depository is the Grace Doherty Library at Centre College which has been a selective depository since 1884. The University of Kentucky Library was designated a selective depository in 1907 and became the Regional Depository Library in 1967. The Louisville Free Public Library has been a selective depository since 1904 and was designated a Patent Depository Library in 1988.
The remaining "Selectives" are distributed throughout the state. Ashland Community & Technical College Library, on the eastern border, is also the newest selective depository, taking over the Boyd County Public Library designation in 1990. Murray State University, at the other end of the Commonwealth, is the only depository in the far western section, or "Purchase Area" of the state.
Depository collections offer access to information in subject areas from agriculture to zoology. Several depositories have unique items: Louisville Free Public Library has the only complete, extant paper Serial Set in the state; Eastern Kentucky University holds the complete ERIC collection on microfiche; and the University of Kentucky Law Library features the complete Congressional Record on microfiche. Various libraries maintain not only federal depository collections, but also special collections of Kentucky State documents, as well as other national and international publications.
In recent years, changes have taken place in many Kentucky depositories. Several libraries have reorganized and merged government publications with other departments, such as reference or law. All depository libraries now provide electronic access to government information for their patrons. Follow this link for access to a map of the Federal Depository Libraries in the state of Kentucky.
This page was last updated 5 September 2003. To suggest additions or corrections to this list, send mail to Sandee McAninch at mcaninch@uky.edu or use this form.