The Government Information Center of the Suffolk Cooperative Library System is your source for information produced by the governments of the United States, the State of New York, Suffolk County and the Town of Brookhaven. The department maintains a dynamic collection of documents tailored to the needs of the residents of Suffolk County as well as an electronic library of government information. Nearly all government publications circulate to the public via the public libraries or directly from the SCLS Government Information Center.

The Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) was established by Congress to ensure that the American public has access to its Government's information. For more than 130 years, depository libraries have safeguarded the public's right to know by collecting, organizing, maintaining, preserving, and assisting users with information from the Federal government. Government publications may be in paper, microform, or computer discs or on line via the Internet. They include books, magazines, pamphlets, maps, posters, and braille materials.

The Suffolk Cooperative Library System in cooperation with the East Islip Public Library has been a U.S. depository since 1973. Approximately 25 per cent of the publications available to libraries through the U.S. Government Printing Office's Depository program are selected for inclusion in our collection. Most recent federal publications are available in full text on the World Wide Web via the Suffolk County Catalog. Other titles and additional information are available via the SuffolkWeb Government site. Publications in paper or microfiche are available via your own public library or on site at the SCLS Government Information Center.

The Suffolk Cooperative Library System became a New York State Depository Library in the 1960's. SCLS receives all paper documents offered to State depositories. Many items are accessible on the World Wide Web via the County Catalog. Subject strengths include statutory law, legislation, regulations, education, and statistics.

SCLS maintains a modest collection of Suffolk County and Brookhaven Town documents in perpetuity. Subject strengths include legislative materials and environmental information. In 1999 SCLS was designated as an official Suffolk County Depository Library.

SCLS maintains a collection of genealogical census microfilm and other materials for the State of New York covering the years 1790-1925. For more information about this collection visit your local public library or click here. THIS INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE ONLY VIA YOUR LOCAL PUBLIC LIBRARY, NOT ON SITE AT SCLS.

SCLS is a Foundation Center Cooperating Collection Library. As a cooperating library we maintain a Core Collection of Foundation Center materials as well as FC Search: The Foundation Center's Database on CD-ROM. Call 286-1600 x1335 to make an appointment to use this collection or for additional information about the SCLS Government Information Center.