Joyner recognized for depository 75-year milestone
Joyner Library celebrated 75 years this year as a selective federal depository library, which included recent public recognition from the U.S. Government Publishing Office.
There are 33 depository libraries in the state for digital and print documents. Joyner has the largest collection in North Carolina east of Interstate 95.
East Carolina University began receiving these materials in 1951.
The documents can support research by faculty and other campus representatives, as well as community members.
“To be a depository for 75 years and through all the changes we’ve had in those 75 years, I think it shows a continued commitment, as a library and as an institution, as it’s yet another way we can serve the broader community and the broader region,” said David Durant, federal documents and social sciences librarian for Joyner Library. “It’s a longstanding commitment we’ve made to the community.”
A social media post from the U.S. Government Publishing Office in mid-February congratulated ECU on the milestone: “Congratulations to Joyner Library on 75 years in GPO’s Federal Depository Library Program! Thank you to this library for helping GPO deliver on its vision of an America Informed!”
Signage about government documents is displayed on Joyner Library’s basement floor.
Durant started at ECU in 1999.
“We were focused on a very print-centric model,” he said. “Then the amount of print materials just kept dropping. Several years ago they discontinued print shipments altogether, with a few exceptions. There are still seven publications that we get print copies. … In an electronic environment, you don’t have to be a depository to be able to help refer people to federal information or help them find it. But being a recognized depository shows you are willing to take that commitment, plus in our case, it’s allowed us to maintain a substantial, archival, retrospective print collection that is a useful primary source on the second half of the 20th century.”
Durant is available to assist patrons who want to explore federal documents. He added the documents can enhance research opportunities.
“Any member of the community who needs or wants to access federal government information is welcome to come here to the library and receive assistance,” Durant said. “Being willing to explore this material can be helpful or relevant to research. Students and others might not tend to think about federal government information, but it can often have that little bit of information they are looking for that can help make their research or understanding complete.”