The
Federal Depository Program ensures that participating libraries
collect valuable government documents published by the Government
Printing Office (GPO). Rutgers University chooses to collect 93%
of all federal depository items.
In
the 21st century, users can obtain a majority of this information
through online sources. GPO Access, a Web site established by federal
law, provides free access to information from the three branches
of the US Government. Thomas, sponsored by the Library of Congress
Web Site, also includes federal legislation. These sites offer dynamic
search options that make government documents more clear and accessible.
Yet,
as GPO Access began in 1994, users can only access recent documents
through online sources. US government documents provide a tremendous
value to researchers by enabling them to investigate the government's
history through its publications. As the Government Printing Office
opened in 1861, these materials capture much of the nation's history.
Historical investigation requires use of the print catalogs and
bound documents which are arranged according to the Superintendent
of Documents classification system. Here are some central print
sources:
Monthly
Catalog of US Government Publications, 1895-1995- This cornerstone
of the government documents collection lists all documents published
by GPO during one month. Each volume contains an index. Cumulative
subject, title, and personal author indexes help users obtain a
broader range of documents on specific topics.
Congressional
Record, 1873-present- includes all of the debate in both
houses of Congress.
United
States Reports- describes Supreme Court cases and features
the justices' decisions.
Statutes
at Large- includes
federal laws.
Federal
Register- features Presidential Executive Orders and Proclamations.
United
States Census Reports- contain the federal census statistics
derived from each decennial census from 1790-1990.
View
my Bibliography of Governments Documents
on Japanese Internment, 1941-2001. This demonstrates the variety
of documents available for a historical topic. Here I used government
documents to gain an accurate account of an American program of
injustice.
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