Stewart Library - Weber State University |
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Research
Guide: Finding Government Information
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Government DocumentsThe federal government, through its various agencies and branches produces a vast quantity of information on practically any subject. Many of these publications are distributed by the United States Government Printing Office (GPO) to depository libraries across the country. The Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) was established by Congress to ensure that the American public has access to its Government's information. This program involves the acquisition, format conversion, and distribution of depository materials and the coordination of Federal depository libraries in the 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories. The mission of the FDLP is to disseminate information products from all three branches of the Government to nearly 1,300 libraries nationwide. Libraries that have been designated as Federal depositories maintain these information products as part of their existing collections and are responsible for assuring that the public has free access to the material provided by the FDLP. Weber State University's Stewart Library is a selective government depository, selecting approximately 45% of the documents available. University of Utah , BYU and USU are other depository libraries in the area. Utah State University Library is the regional depository for the FDLP and therefore selects 100% of the available documents. The Utah State government also produces a substantial amount of information of interest to the citizens of the state. This guide is intended to help introduce you to the use and location of these materials. The Stewart Library Government Documents and Maps Department has documents from the federal government dating from the 1700's to the present, and vary in format from pamphlets and other print materials to CDs, microforms and Web sites. Finding Federal DocumentsUsing Catalogs & Databases:Use the WSU online catalog to find location and availability of documents, CDs and other media in Stewart Library The Online Catalog lists many, but not all, government publications available at WSU. Search by author, title, keyword or subject. Link to other Utah Library Catalogs to locate items in other Utah libraries. Many older documents are not found in online catalogs. Government Documents are arranged by the Superintendent of Documents Classification Number. Publications are grouped together by the issuing agency. To find documents not in the catalog, use the Catalog of U.S. Govt. Publications , an index to government documents from GPO Access. This database indexes government documents since 1976. To locate older documents use the print version of the Monthly Catalog, located in Government Document Reference, 1st Floor North - GP 3.8. Many of the documents are found in the Microforms area of the library located in Microforms - Middle Level North. Stewart Library also has government documents on CD-ROMs or DVDS which can be obtained at the Reference Desk. CD-DVD List. Most of these are available for check out. Reference Table 2A contains finding aids and information about government documents. Interlibrary Loan:If we do not own a particular document you need, we will borrow it for you from another library through Interlibrary Loan. Print Indexes to Federal Documents:
Electronic Indexes to Federal Documents:
Government Search Engines
Finding State & Local Documents & InformationUtahUse the WSU online catalog to find location and availability of documents. The Online Catalog lists most Utah government publications available at WSU. Search by author, title, keyword or subject. Link to other Utah Library Catalogs to locate items in other Utah libraries. You can also search the Utah State Library for all state publications. If we do not own a particular document you need, we will borrow it for you from another library through Interlibrary Loan. Reference Table 2A, Middle Level North, contains the most recent state publications as well as the Utah Code, and other state related documents. Many Utah documents are converting to online versions only. Utah Print ResourcesStatistical Abstract
of Utah HA 661.S 723 - Most recent edition is
located at the Reference Desk. State & Local Government in Utah Contains a description of the structure, operation, function, and finances of state and local government in Utah - their departments, commissions and agencies. JK 8425 1992.U8 - Reference. Check the print & online material listed below for all states for other sources of Utah information. Utah Information OnlineState & Local Information - ALL StatesPrint ResourcesState Profiles: The Population and Economy of Each U.S. State Includes National trends, State Rankings, Overviews, Population and Labor Force, Economic Structure, Housing, Agriculture, Education, Health and Government and other valuable information such as notes and definitions. HA203.S734 - Reference Table 5B. Middle Level North Almanac of the 50 states Basic Data Profiles with Comparative Tables. Gives statistical and demographic profiles for each state plus the entire U.S. Also ranks the states according to 54 selected criteria (population, hospitals, crime rates, etc.). HA203.A5 - Reference Table 5B. Middle Level North Book of the States Biennial publication containing information about the state governments, including constitutions, legislation, elections, services and statistics. JK2408.B615 - Reference Collection, Middle Level North. Older editions in General Collection, Top Level. Desk Reference on the States from Congressional Quarterly. Contains over 500 answers to questions about history, government, elections, courts, and more. JK2408.W48 - Reference Collection, Middle Level North. Online Information
Finding International Information Use the WSU online catalog to find location and availability of documents, CDs and other media in Stewart Library The Online Catalog lists many, but not all, international government or United Nations publications available at WSU. Search by author, title, keyword or subject. Link to other Utah Library Catalogs to locate items in other Utah libraries. If we do not own a particular document you need, we will borrow it for you from another library through Interlibrary Loan Print ResourcesCIA World Factbook
Released by the US Central Intelligence Agency Data available
for more than 260 countries. Includes the map and flag, geographic,
population, government, economic, communication, transportation,
military, and transnational issue information.
PREX 3.15 - Reference Table 5B, Middle Level North.
Also Online Statesman's Year-Book This annual publication provides a summary of statistical, political, and economic data on all the countries of the world and many international organizations. For many countries, information is also available for administrative subdivisions. JA 51.A7. The most recent edition is on Reference Table 5A, Middle Level North. Older editions are in General Collection, Top Level. Country Studies From the Defense Department, the Country Studies Series presents a description and analysis of the historical setting and the social, economic, political, and national security systems and institutions of countries throughout the world and examines the interrelationships of those systems and the ways they are shaped by cultural factors. D 101 - Government Documents, Middle Level North. Also Online Culturegrams "Four-page country reports which highlight the country's background: land and climate; history the people: population; language; religion; general attitudes; personal appearance Customs & Courtesies: greetings; gestures; visiting; eating Lifestyle: family; dating and marriage; diet; recreation; holidays; commerce Society: government; economy; transportation and communication; education; health Development Data: country rank; GDP; literacy rate; infant mortality rate; life expectancy For the Traveler: brief visa, health, and embassy contact information." Gives political, statistical, and economic data . GT150.C852 - Reference Table 5A, Middle Level North. Online International InformationResearch Assistance
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