Background
1955-1988
In 1955, the Cornell University Library began receiving New York State government documents through the first New York State Depository program. This initial depository system was limited and did not include many documents published by state offices, agencies and departments. The library has also acquired New York State publications on a selective basis.
1989-1994
In 1989, the depository system was redesigned and all depository items were distributed to libraries on microfiche.The microfiche included most of the documents from issuing agencies, excluding copyrighted materials.The microfiche program ceased at the end of 1994 and was replaced in 1995 by scanned documents on the New York State Library's Web site.
The New York State library also includes documents that were not designated for distribution through the depository system. Some of these documents may be found through the NYS Documents digital collections and via Excelsior, the New York State Library's online catalog. These records may be indicated in the Excelsior catalog record with a note: "not in Checklist" to indicate that they were not in the Checklist of Official Publications of the State of New York. If the Cornell library does not have a print NY State document, it may be available via Interlibrary Loan from the NY State Library.
1995 - .
From 1995, on, most documents are scanned and available via the New York State Library's online catalog. By 2010, all print distribution ceased and documents can be found exclusively through the NY State catalog.