Students, faculty and staff gathered at Fondren Library March 27 to celebrate nearly six decades of the library’s participation in the U.S. Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP).
Hosted by the Kelley Center for Government Information and Civic Engagement, the event marked the program’s 59th anniversary with cake, exhibits and hands-on activities. Attendees explored displays highlighting the history of government publishing and the evolving role of the legally authorized FDLP in providing public access to federal information since the early 1800s.
Established to ensure free equal permanent public access to government publications, the FDLP connects libraries across the country that collect, preserve and provide access to official government information. At Rice, Fondren Library has served as a depository library for decades, helping researchers and the public locate documents that support academic teaching and research, civic engagement and informed participation in democracy.
The celebration also included a craft activity between Fondren and Brochstein Pavilion to have fun creating a bookmark using historical primary sources digitized by the Library of Congress. Fondren Library staff provided stickers, charms and pens, so everyone could craft a brand-new placeholder for their spring reading, while guiding visitors to the new March exhibit “Keeping America Informed — From Printing Press to Digital AI Era (1700s to Present)” and information desk located in Fondren basement. The exhibit will be on display through July 31.
During the event, Fondren Library received a congratulatory letter and certificate from the U.S. Government Publishing Office recognizing its continued participation in the national program.
These events are also part of the America250@Fondren program, which is a nonpartisan, nonpolitical educational and engagement initiative with programs updated monthly throughout 2026.
Visit the event page to explore April offerings as well as standing exhibits, programs and activities at Fondren.