The Constitution of FAO states that "the Organization shall collect, analyse, interpret and disseminate information relating to nutrition, food and agriculture". As part of this mandate, a system of FAO depository libraries is maintained, in order to make the publications of FAO freely available to the general public.
The libraries listed in this directory are normally national libraries, or major research libraries or educational institutions with programs related to the goals and objectives of FAO, open to the public free of charge. Each member country is entitled to at least one depository library.
Each entry in this list contains the following information:

• the name and address of the library
• the beginning year of deposit
• the language of material deposited