Finding Government Publications
COLLECTIONS
- Federal: Selective depository, 1967-
- Wisconsin documents: full depository, 1974-
- Local documents: collect selectively; in Wisconsin documents collection
- International: selective, from intergovernmental organizations, not specific foreign countries. Publications received since 1997 are in the book stacks.
- RAND Collection: 1967- 2008
ARRANGEMENT AND ACCESS
- Federal: SuDocs classification system (by agency); items received after September, 1998 in paper or electronically (not microfiche) are in Cofrin Library Catalog. For older items, microfiche, or enhanced subject access, use specific indexes listed below.
- Wisconsin: State Historical Society System (by agency); Most are in Cofrin Library Catalog
- International: Library of Congress system, same as books; (subject arrangement) in Cofrin Library Catalog
- RAND: By report number. Newer ones in Cofrin Library Catalog; paper index for older ones
INDEXES
Current Federal Documents
An alphabetical list of databases can be found on the Cofrin Library website.
- Catalog of U.S. Government Publications Free access from anywhere. Indexes all publications available through the federal depository library program from July 1976 to date.
- Lexis Nexis Congressional Some full-text. Date coverage varies; 1970 to date for hearings indexing, 1981 to date for regulations, & 1990 to date for bill indexing. Covers all activities of Congress and the regulatory process.
- Lexis Nexis Academic Full text access to US and State legal Information including constitutions, laws, and court cases.
Selected Indexes for Historical Federal Documents
- Checklist of United States Public Documents, 1789-1909 REF J 83 U54 1789
- Comprehensive Index to the Publications of the United States Government 1881-1893 REF J 69 C651 1881
- Descriptive Catalogue of the Government Publications of the United States, 1774-1881 REF J 83 Z966x
- Guide to US Government Publications (Andriot) various editions; coverage varies in each REF J 69 .G84
- Index to US Government Periodicals (REF J83.Z953) 1970-1987
- Monthly Catalog of US Government Publications, 1895-1995 REF GVP US GP 3.8:
- US Congressional Committee Hearings Index 1833-1969 REF KF 40 C56 1981
- US Congressional Committee Prints Index through 1969 REF J 74 C6 1980x
- US Government Periodicals Index, 1994- (3rd floor Index Area)
- US Serial Set Index, 1789-1969 REF J74.C58X
Other:
- Wisconsin Public Documents (INDEX AREA), 1968-1973 in microfiche, 1970-1998 in paper
- Selected Rand Abstracts, 1963/72 cumulative issue, 1972- (Compact Storage)
- Index to International Statistics, 1986-1995 ( INDEX AREA)
Government Documents are selectively indexed in a number of commercial indexes including Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature, and WorldCat. They are also included in many subject or discipline specific indexes - Applied Sciences and Technology Index, ERIC, GEOREF, Medline, Social Sciences Abstracts, etc. Links to these indexes are provided on Library's Web Site. Off campus access to the above databases is available to UW-Green Bay students, faculty, staff.
REFERENCE TOOLS
- US Government Manual, annual, 1950-(REF GVP US AE 2.108/2:) Current edition at Reference desk
- State of Wisconsin Blue Book (GVP WI A.1:) Current edition at Reference desk
- Statistical Abstract of the United States, 1878- (GVP US C 3.134) Current year at Reference desk.
LEGISLATIVE MATERIALS (Federal)
- Laws/Statutes United States Statutes at Large REF GVP US GVP AE2.110:
- United States Code (by subject) REF GVP US Y 1.2/5:
- Regulations Federal Register (proposed) REF GVP US AE 2. 106:
- Code of Federal Regulations (by subject) REF GVP US AE 2.106/3:
- Supreme Court United States Reports REF GVP US JU 6.8:--held in remote storage, ask at Circulation Desk.
Usually these materials are not listed individually in the general indexes described above, but have their own indexes. Consult the library guide on Legislative Research .
OTHER
- Tapping the Government Grapevine: The User-Friendly Guide to Government Information Sources, 3rd ed., 1998 ( REF J 83 R635 1998)
- How to Use the Major Indexes to U.S. Government Publications (REF J 83 .R688 1989x)
- Introduction to United States Government Information Sources, (Compact Shelving - Reference [non-circulating] (Ask at Circ)Call Number: J83 .M67 1999x
- Using Government Information Sources: Electronic & Print, 3rd ed. REF J 83 .S426 2001x Temporarily shelved at the Reference Desk.
- The Complete Guide to Citing Government Information Resources, 3rd. edition. REF J 9.5 .G374 2002x Temporarily shelved at the Reference Desk.
INTERNET/WORLD WIDE WEB SITES
For a more extensive list of websites and resources, consult the Government Information page.
- USASearch.gov portal to U.S. federal government information
- Federal Web Locator http://www.lib.auburn.edu/madd/docs/fedloc.html
- United States Congress http://www.gpoaccess.gov/congress/index.html
- State of Wisconsin http://www.wisconsin.gov/state/home
- Wisconsin State Legislature http://www.legis.state.wi.us/
- University of Michigan Documents Center http://www.lib.umich.edu/govdocs/
For assistance with any of the resources mentioned here please consult the reference librarians. They can be contacted in person, by telephone at (920-465-2303), or via e-mail at refdesk@uwgb.edu
rev. 2 Sept 2009