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 when reference librarians are on duty in the Social Science Reference Center (SSRC) in Firestone Library. Times are listed under "Depository Access" on the Library Hours information sheet. (Libraries other than Firestone, housing separate subject collections, such as Geology or Physics, 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 an SSRC 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 SSRC 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 SSRC Reference Desk.

Procedures for Use of Depository Collections

1. Upon arriving at the SSRC 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 in SSRC at the end of the Depository visit.
2. Most depository materials may be used only within the SSRC location. Printed matter pertaining to each Depository Collection is available, and assistance in locating and using information will be freely provided by the reference librarian. Use of Depository materials that are housed in another part of the building can be arranged, in consultation with the reference librarian.* Upon completion of the visit, the Depository Visitor is asked to notify the SSRC librarian and to sign out in the Log Book.
3. *Materials in electronic format in the depository collections may be downloaded; however, visitors must provide their own high density formatted disks.

New Jersey Depository Documents
Most New Jersey documents received after July 1, 1981 are located in the Social Science Reference Center. For assistance in locating these publications, as well as pre-1981 documents, consult the librarian at the Social Science Reference Desk.

United Nations Documents
The United Nations Collections is the only United Nations depository library in the state of New Jersey, and is comprehensive for the main bodies of the U.N. 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. Also see the special handout for the Model United Nations.

United States Depository Publications

1979 - Present
Social Science Reference Center houses most U.S. depository materials received through the depository program, and will provide assistance in locating and using them. Referrals will be made to other locations in the library system, such as Geology and Engineering Libraries, where major collections of U.S. materials are also housed.

Pre 1979
General and Humanities Reference (GHRD) on the first floor of Firestone Library will assist depository patrons in identifying and locating U.S. depository materials received from 1884-1978. U.S. documents were cataloged during this period, and the main and supplementary catalogs and many indexes and guides located in DR will help in this process. Patrons will be referred from SSRC to GHRD for assistance with these documents.

U.S. documents may be housed in locations other than Firestone Library. SSRC or GHRD 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.

U.S. documents received before 1884, when the Library became a depository, are not available for depository use. Please ask a librarian for more information.