The Inspection Process: It’s Not That Bad, Really!

One of the most important considerations when faced with an upcoming depository library inspection is to remember it is just one day in your life. It too shall pass. The inspection process was established to meet the requirements of 44 U.S.C. §1909: "The Superintendent of Documents shall make firsthand investigation of conditions for which need is indicated…" The current inspection program of self-studies and on-site investigations has evolved from the original program when two or more libraries were inspected each day.

Inspections originally focused more on technical services, facilities, and processing of the physical depository receipts. Over the years, this has changed increasingly to a review of access issues, including access to the physical and online-only depository resources. When preparing for an inspection, be sure to review the existing depository operation with a critical eye for potential problems such as library signage, ADA compliance, availability of public access computer workstations, and location of the depository collection in the library.

Future concerns for the inspection program will continue to focus on access filtering placed on computer workstations, authentification of users to use computer workstations, and increasing requirements by libraries for patrons to have identification to access the library facility or use equipment.