Based on the responses of 77 Association of Research Libraries (ARL) member libraries to a December 1986 survey of 106 ARL libraries (a 73% response rate), this report profiles the current state of bibliographic access to federal publications. Following a brief discussion of survey background and methodology, a summary of survey results indicates that the typical respondent became a depository in 1912, selects 80% of the items offered on deposit, and maintains a centralized U.S. document collection. In addition, issues and needs for bibliographic access are identified, and case studies are presented for the following approaches to access: (1) the shelflist and printed indexes (Dartmouth College); (2) traditional cataloging (Pennsylvania State University and Cornell University); (3) loading the GPO (Government Printing Office) tapes (New York State Library, the University of Florida, Rice University, and Texas A&M University); and (4) retrospective conversion (Case Western Reserve University, the University of Cincinnati, Cornell University, the University of California at Los Angeles, and the University of California at Irvine). Finally, options and recommendations are presented for future action by individual libraries and cooperative programs. A federal depository collection profile and approaches to bibliographic access to U.S. federal government publications are presented in two tables. A 12-item selected bibliography and the survey form are also provided. (KM)