Getting Started with Government Resources

Databases & Indexes

• Catalog of U.S. Government Publications (CGP): Main Page

  Provides an index to print and electronic publications created by Federal agencies. This version from the Government Printing Office is available for all users

• GPO Monthly Catalog 

  Provides indexing to the OCLC version of the Catalog of U.S. Government Publications. Available on campus.

• US Serial Set Index Ref. Z 1223 .Z9C65 1975

  A Print index to Congressional materials included in the American State Papers, and the U.S. Serial Set. Covers the 15th through the 91st Congress 1st Session. This set also includes an index to cartographic materials.

• Lexis-Nexis Congressional
• U.S. Congressional Serial Set

  GPO provided indexing to the Serial Set from the 104th - the 108th Congress.
  

Web Resources

Here are a few web sites we think you might find useful:

• Federal Depository Libraries

  Use this clickable map to locate a Federal Depository Library near you.

• GPOAccess
• Browse Topics

  A GPO & OSU Library Partnership "Browse Topics" provides subject access to government information.

• First Gov
• Brief Guide to Citing Government Publications

  This guide provides the most common examples of government document citations based on the Chicago/Turabian standard bibliographic style.

• Federal Government Resources on the Web from the University of Michigan

  An award winning site for access to government information. This site includes links to federal agencies, internationa organizations, foreign governments, and it includes numerous subject related links.

• FedWorld

  FedWorld offers a comprehensive central access point for searching, locating, ordering and acquiring government and business information.

• Migrating Government Publications

  Migrating Government Publications is a listing of U.S. Government publications that are in the process of being converted to electronic format.

• Science.Gov

  "The Public's Web portal of Federal Science information".
  

Reference Books

Reference books provide background information on a people, terms and concepts. Sample reference works are listed here. Additional resources will be near them on the shelves in the reference collection. Some are also available online but may be easier to use in the print version.

• Statistical Abstract of the United States Ref. HA 202
• Congressional DirectoryRef. JK 1012 Yr.

The most current year is located in the Reference Collection. Earlier versions are in the main library stacks.
• The United States Government Manual Ref. JK 421 .A3 yr.
• Using Government Information srouces Electronic and Print Ref. J 83 .S4 2001