Cofrin Library

Cofrin Library, quality service, quality information, quality learning / UW Green Bay connecting learning to life
Government Information

Finding Government Publications

COLLECTIONS

  • Federal: Selective depository, 1967-
  • Wisconsin documents: full depository, 1974-
  • Local documents: collect selectively; in Wisconsin documents collection
  • Canada:  Selective depository, 1970-1979; selectively collected until approximately 1993
  • International:  selective, from intergovernmental organizations, not specific foreign countries.  Publications  received since 1997 are in the book stacks.
  • RAND Collection:  1967-

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
  • Canada:  Queen's Printer System (by agency); Newer ones in in Cofrin Library Catalog ; paper indexes for older ones
  • 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.

  • Government Documents Catalog Service  On-campus access only; 1976--.  This indexes all publications available through the federal depository library program, which is about 50% of what the government publishes.
  • Monthly Catalog of U.S. Government Publications  Free access from anywhere.  Indexes all publications available through the federal depository library program.
  • 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 GVP US Y1.1/2-5x:

 Other:

  • Wisconsin Public Documents (INDEX AREA), 1968-1973 in microfiche,  1970-1998 in paper
  • Government of Canada Publications Catalog, 1958-1992  (INDEX AREA)
  • Selected Rand Abstracts, 1963/72 cumulative issue, 1972-   (INDEX AREA)
  • 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:
  • Bills (microfiche)  REF GVP US Y1.4/#:  3rd Floor
  • Supreme Court  United States Reports  REF GVP US JU 6.8:
For electronic versions try:  Lexis Nexis Congressional  OR GPO Access at:  http://www.gpoaccess.gov/index.html

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

  • How to Use the Major Indexes to US Government Publications, (REF J 83 R688 1989x)
  • Tapping the Government Grapevine: The User-Friendly Guide to Government Information Sources, 3rd ed., 1998 ( REF J 83 R635 1998) -- Temporarily Shelved at Reference Desk [non-circulating]
  • Using Government Publications: v.1: Searching by Subjects and Agencies; v.2: Finding Statistics and Special Techniques (REF J 83 S426x)
  • Introduction to United States Government Information Sources, (J83 .M67 1999x) -- Temporarily Shelved at Reference Desk [non-circulating]
  • Government Information on the Internet, 3rd ed., REF ZA 5075 N67 2000x; temporarily shelved at Reference Desk

INTERNET/WORLD WIDE WEB SITES

For a more extensive list of websites and resources, consult the Government Information page.

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. 25 June 2008