Abstract: A distributed facsimile information system for providing information subscribers with documents and other requested information. The system includes a central processing unit in communication with a central data base and a number of satellite data bases at remote locations. The central data base includes a plurality of data files containing digitally stored documents and other information, and each of the satellite data bases includes some of the data files contained in the central data base. A terminal including a touch-tone phone and a facsimile machine is situated at the location of each information subscriber. A request for information is made via the touch-tone phone, and the system prompts a user through a series of menus for input of information identifying the particular document requested. The central processing unit then determines which of the data bases contains the document and is closest to the requestor's terminal for transmission of the document.