85th anniversary of the Depository Services Program

August 2012

Over the last decade, the publishing field has changed tremendously all over the world. The Internet, the tool that is transforming the world of information at lightning speed, is responsible for this change.

On August 4, 1927, the Depository Services Program (DSP) was established by Order-in-Council, thereby giving Canadians easy, free access to Government of Canada publications.

The DSP, in conjunction with the Publishing Program, manages the database of Government of Canada publications. It is the central repository and distribution channel of free and priced publications created by federal departments and agencies. Under the Communications Policy of the Government of Canada, federal agencies must provide the DSP with samples of their publications so that they can be distributed through the depository library network. The library network encompasses more than 800 libraries in Canada and abroad. By distributing Government of Canada publications free of charge through its library network, the DSP commits itself to preserving government information and facilitating access to it for current and future generations.

The Pink List

Over a period of 85 years, the program has had to deal with many changes and adapt to its partners. The daily list of publications, which appeared for the first time on pink paper in December 1952, became the weekly list in November 1978. In 1992, online orders were introduced, and the first edition of the weekly list in electronic format appeared in February 1995. This list of publications, which is also known as the “Pink List,” is still published every week both in paper and electronic formats. In the near future, the paper version will be discontinued and only the electronic version, will be released.

In 1981, a Program Library Advisory Committee was formed for the purpose of giving a voice to the network of libraries and partners all over the country, including representatives of certain government departments, such as the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, Statistics Canada and Library and Archives Canada. The committee is responsible for informing the DSP's management about documentation issues and giving advice on them. After more than 30 years, the committee still exists and continues to provide valuable advice.

In closing, we would like to take the opportunity to thank all DSP employees as well as all our partners across the country and abroad. You are the architects of our success and constitute our country's historical memory.

Happy 85th anniversary to the Government of Canada's Depository Services Program!

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