On April 13, 2026, the Lehigh Libraries will mark a historic milestone: 150 years as a member of the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP). Designated as a Federal Depository Library in 1876, the Lehigh Libraries are the longest-serving FDLP member in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Since that time, Lehigh has served as a steadfast steward of U.S. government information, providing free public access to more than 100,000 government documents for the Lehigh community, scholars and researchers, and the broader public.

Established by Congress in 1813, the Federal Depository Library Program was created to support public access to government information. Today, approximately 1,000 libraries participate in the program across the United States and its territories, connecting Lehigh to a nationwide network committed to preservation and discovery.

A Sesquicentennial Celebration

To commemorate the sesquicentennial anniversary, the Friends of the Lehigh University Libraries will host a celebration on Monday, April 13, 2026, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in Linderman Library, Rm 200. The event is free and open to the public. Register now.

The program will include an address by Scott Matheson, Superintendent of Documents at the U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO). A former Yale Law Librarian, Matheson oversees the GPO's national initiative to provide public access to federal information. He has been a key collaborator with the Preserving Electronic Government Information Project, which focuses on ensuring that “born-digital” web-based public information is preserved for future researchers. During the event, he will share insights into the FDLP’s modernization and Lehigh’s vital role in this national network.

“I am honored to be a part of the celebration to commemorate Lehigh University’s 150th anniversary as part of the Federal Depository Library Program,” Matheson said. “This milestone represents a long-held commitment to ensuring free access to U.S. Government information to the student body and staff at the University, as well as the residents of Bethlehem and the state of Pennsylvania.”

The celebration will feature a curated display titled "Knowledge for the People: The Architecture of Information Access." The exhibit showcases selected physical documents that illustrate the historical significance and continued relevance of federal publishing. The display will be available to view in Fairchild-Martindale Library, 5th and 6th Floor South.

A Living Archive of American History

Lehigh’s collection reveals a vivid story of American life, supporting research in fields ranging from science and public policy to history and sociology. Notable items include:

  • Early congressional publications documenting the first acts of the U.S. Congress
  • Public health bulletins issued during early 20th-century outbreaks, including the bubonic plague
  • Federal legislation and congressional hearings related to major regional infrastructure proposals such as the Tocks Island Dam project
  • Census and demographic data spanning generations
  • National Park Service maps and publications, along with military history records
  • International affairs documents from treaties to correspondence

“These materials help us see how policies were shaped, how communities were counted and understood, and how government priorities were reflected in the historical record,” said Boaz Nadav Manes, University Librarian. “Our role as stewards of this collection is to ensure that these primary sources remain a vibrant resource for new scholarship. Reaching this 150-year milestone underscores Lehigh’s enduring commitment to preserving the documented history of our nation.”

That commitment, university leaders say, extends beyond preservation to the broader principle of access.

“Open access to government information is essential to an informed society,” said Greg Reihman, Vice Provost for Library and Technology Services. “Through the Federal Depository Library Program, Lehigh ensures that students, researchers, and the public can rely on authoritative sources to study policy, history, and the issues that shape our world,” 

From Print to Digital: Accessing the Collection Today

While much government information is now born digital, Lehigh continues to preserve a substantial print legacy collection that documents earlier eras of government publishing, providing insight into the evolution of federal policy and national priorities. Users can locate print materials—including items stored in the Libraries’ off-site facility—through the ASA Library Catalog.

In addition to print materials, users can explore digital government resources through tools such as the U.S. Government Publishing Office’s GovInfo site, Congress.gov, HeinOnline, and HathiTrust - U.S. Federal Documents.

To find more information about Lehigh’s government documents collection and how to access it, consult our U.S. Government Information Library Guide, or submit a research assistance request to get in contact with a librarian.

Explore the Story of Freedom

Visitors to the celebration are also invited to explore the Lehigh Libraries’ current exhibit, Unfinished Chapter, which examines the complex history of freedom in America and its ongoing resonance today. Presented in recognition of the approaching 250th anniversary of the United States, the exhibit highlights rare publications from the nation’s founding, historical texts reflecting democratic ideals, emblems of American liberty, and student-curated reflections on global freedom and identity. Grounded in the themes of Unfinished Revolutions and The Power of Place, the exhibit is on display in Linderman Library and Fairchild-Martindale Library from January 19 through July 31, 2026.