The WSU Libraries became a member of the Washington State depository system when it was established in 1963. The Washington State Library in Olympia administers the depository system. As a full depository, the WSU Libraries receive copies of most documents the State Library receives.

Washington State documents received from 1990 to present appear in the Griffin Catalog and are shelved at the location given, including Holland and Terrell Libraries and other WSU-Pullman libraries. For materials not found in Griffin, ask a librarian to assist you in checking the Documents Catalog, the Kardex or the old Card Catalog, particularly for documents prior to 1990. Older documents are shelved on the third floor in Holland Library and are arranged by Jackson-Document number. Documents unavailable at WSU can be borrowed from the Washington State Library.

In order to identify Washington State documents published, it may be necessary to visit the library and consult some specialized catalogs and indexes. The Holland/New Library Media Materials & Reserves room houses the Washington State Publications "LaserPac" CD-ROM, a catalog containing Washington State publications received by the State Library, and American Statistics Index (1974-1999), which can be used to identify state publications. The Statistical Lexis-Nexis database at http://www.systems.wsu.edu/griffin/indexes.htm also includes state and local government information. In addition, the Washington State Library Catalog can be searched online.