This paper begins by pointing out that privatization, or relying on the private sector to provide commercial goods and services for government departments and agencies, is a tool that has been used effectively by the federal government for several decades. It then presents the theoretical basis for privatization, describes a number of methods used to privatize government functions, and discusses governmental policy as articulated in the government commercial activities program (OMB Circular A-76) and in the federal information resources management program (OMB Circular A-130). It also provides examples of federal libraries, information centers, and information services that are completely or partially privatized, including the Scientific and Technical Information Facility of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the National Technical Information Service (NTIS). A discussion of the impact of this process on access to federal information concludes the paper. (RP)