As the largest depository of United States government publications in the Nashville metropolitan area and Middle Tennessee, and as the only depository of United Nations publications in the state of Tennessee, the Government Information Unit (formerly referred to as Government Information and Media Services, or GIMS) at Vanderbilt University's Central Library selects and makes available materials reflecting the information needs of the general public, particularly residents of the Fifth Congressional District of Tennessee.
As part of the Jean and Alexander Heard Library of Vanderbilt University, the Unit shares the library's mission to support the curricular and research needs of the university community.
As a member of the Federal Depository Library Program, the Unit follows the GPO’s Legal Requirements & Program Regulations of the Federal Depository Library Program as the formal basis of collection development.
Per the Legal Requirements,
The foundation of a depository library collection includes both tangible (e.g. print, microfiche, CD-ROM/DVD) and online content. Depository libraries must provide access to FDLP content, including:
