Texas State Publications Depository Program

UNT became a Texas State Depository Library in 1963, the year that the depository program was established. We are one of 49 Texas State Depository Libraries strategically located in 34 major cities to provide local reference and loan services to citizens throughout the state.

UNT became a Texas State Depository Library in 1963, the year that the depository program was established. We are one of 49 Texas State Depository Libraries strategically located in 34 major cities to provide local reference and loan services to citizens throughout the state.

The Texas State Publications Depository Program, authorized under V.T.C.A. Government Code 441.101 et seq., is designed to collect and distribute the publications of Texas state government agencies, and to promote their use by the citizens of Texas.

By law, state agencies are required to send copies of their publications to the Texas State Library, which then distributes the publications to specially designated public and university libraries in Texas. Each state depository library receives an average of about 200 state government publications free every month.   

The Program has three main goals:

• To provide a means for citizens to learn about the activities of Texas state government through the use of its publications
• To provide a mechanism by which state government can make information about its activities and services available at minimum cost and effort
  
• To provide the citizens of Texas with ready access to the information published by their state government

The essential components of the Program include:

• Collection of publications from state agencies;
• Processing of publications and preparation of finding aids to make them accessible;
• Distribution of publications to designated libraries throughout the state; and
• Retention of and access to publications at designated libraries and at the Texas State Library.