General Information

Princeton University Library houses major collections of publications from four governmental entities: the European Union (1964- ), the State of New Jersey (1950- ), the United Nations (1945- ), and the United States Federal Government (1884- ). The collections are the product of signatory agreements by which these four governmental entities deposit their publications at Princeton University free of charge, with the understanding that the general public will be granted reasonable access to them. A description of these Depository Collections can be found here.

Access to the Depository Collections by the general public is a major exception to the Library's overall Access Policy, by which free use of library materials is generally restricted to members of the Princeton University Community. This exception is made in recognition of the University's responsibility to provide access to governmental information. Access to Depository Collections entitles a visitor who is unaffiliated with the University to use those publications received through depository agreements only; it does not entitle use of the Library's general collections of books, journals, microforms, datafiles, and other purchased materials.

Application for Access to Depository Collections

Special arrangements are necessary for general public use of the Depository Collections in an otherwise restricted environment. The Depository Collections are available for public use only during specified hours.  For hours, please consult the online hours (choose "Firestone Library - Depository Access" from the drop down menu), Access Information Page, and the Firestone Access Office.  (Libraries other than Firestone, housing separate subject collections, such as the Lewis Library, may have different hours.)

A visitor may apply to use the depository collections in Firestone Library's Access Office (or to the Head Security Officer when the Access Office is closed). Access Office staff (or the Security Officer) will then call a reference librarian, who will discuss the visitor's research needs and determine whether the question requires depository materials, or a different referral. The visitor may be asked to wait in the Access Office if it is necessary for the librarian to confer with others in this process. If access is granted, the visitor will be provided with a Depository Access Pass, and directed to the reference desk.

Procedures for Use of Depository Collections

1. Upon arriving at the reference desk, the visitor will be asked to initial the Depository Log Book, and to surrender the Depository Access Pass. The pass can be used to leave the Library and return during the day; however, a Depository Access Pass is valid only on and for the day issued, and remains at the reference desk until the end of the Depository visit.
2. Printed matter pertaining to each Depository Collection is available, and assistance in locating and using information will be freely provided by the reference librarian. Upon completion of the visit, the Depository Visitor is asked to notify the reference librarian and to sign out in the Log Book.
3. Depository visitors may also make an appointment with the document specialist in any of the depository areas during regular depository hours. In this case, the visitor should request that the Access office contact the documents specialist directly upon arrival.  Contact information for document specialists is found here.

European Union Depository Publications
Consult the main catalog for access to European Union documents. Seek the assistance of a librarian at the reference desk.

New Jersey Depository Documents
For assistance in locating these publications consult the librarian at reference desk.

United Nations Documents
The United Nations Collection at Princeton is the oldest United Nations Depository Library in the state of New Jersey, and is comprehensive for the main bodies of the U.N. and selective for the Specialized (External) Agencies. It contains meeting records and other publications of the United Nations from 1945 to the present. Materials are of three principal types: meeting records, Sales Publications, and Specialized Agency materials. Some journals and reference materials are also available.

United States Depository Publications

1979 - Present
Firestone houses most U.S. depository materials received through the depository program, and the reference librarian will provide assistance in locating and using them. Referrals will be made to other locations in the library system, such as Lewis Library or Engineering, where major collections of U.S. materials are also housed.

Pre 1979
Reference Librarians will assist depository patrons in identifying and locating U.S. depository materials received from 1884-1978.

U.S. documents may be housed in locations other than Firestone Library. Reference librarians will help identify and locate these materials, and refer the patron to the other locations. Other locations may have different hours of access. Please ask for further information.

While the general public is welcome to use depository materials free of charge, many of our U.S. Government resources, such as U.S. documents received before 1884, are not depository materials and may only be used by Princeton University students, faculty, and staff.  This also includes most of the electronic resources such as Lexis Congressional and Hein Online.