Contents of this page:

Basic information about government publications

Government information includes any publications issued by local, state, national or international governments. If you are writing a research paper, a search for government information on your topic should be an essential step in your search. The documents collection is likely to have information on topics ranging from AIDS to the environment. In fact, it is hard to think of a topic you would not find in government documents.

Government information includes laws, regulations,statistics. consumer information, and much more. It may be in the form of reference works, books, periodicals, bibliographies, pamphlets, maps, indexes, cd-roms, online databases, and microfiche. Listed below are examples of each form:

• Reference work - The United States Government Manual
• Book - Revision of the North American Ground Squirrels
• Periodical - Journal of the National Cancer Institute
• Bibliography - Aids Bibliography
• Pamphlet - Social Security Basic Facts
• Map - CIA Maps and Atlases
• Indexes - Resources in Education
• CD-ROM - US Imports of Merchandise
• Online Database - Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States
• Microfiche - Federal Register

J.C Fant Library's documents collection

J.C. Fant Library has a collection of federal and state government documents. Fant Library is a semi-depository and we receive about twenty-two percent of the federal government agency publications as they are produced. We select those materials which support the mission and curriculum of the library, university and community. The Mississippi regional depository, which receives all documents published, is located at The University of Mississippi in Oxford.

Both the U.S. and Mississippi documents are located on the far left side of the first floor. U.S. documents are classified by Sudoc numbers. Mississippi documents are arranged by department or agency. Most government documents circulate, just like books. We are in the process of entering federal government titles and items to the online catalog (Galaxy). Titles not found in the online catalog may be located by searching the Catalog of U.S. Government Publications, through interlibrary loan from the regional depository. Some government documents are cataloged into the regular collection. Latest issues of some of the government document periodicals are kept in the magazine room. Once a document has been removed from the shelf, return it to the document table to be shelved.

In addition to the documents collection in J.C. Fant Library, you can find many federal and state documents on the Internet. In many cases you will be able to obtain the full text of a document on the Internet. Web sites, such as Federal Web Locator and FedWorld are good entry points for government information from the legislative, executive and judicial branches of the U.S. Government.

Citing Government Information Sources Using MLA Style

How to find government information

Galaxy MUW Card Catalogue

Federal documents that Fant Library owns are being added to Galaxy. Fant Library owns about 22% of federal depository documents. For federal documents that Fant Library may not own, use the Catalog of U.S. Government Publications.

*Catalog of U.S. Government Publications

Search for information on your topic by keyword or title. Once you have a list of topics, you may locate eacyh publication by state or area code.

*GPO Access

Search for information on your topic in Congressional bills, Congressional Record, U.S. Code, Federal Regulations, Federal Register, U.S. Bidget and more. You may download the full text of a bill or law.

*LEXIS-NEXIS

Basic legal research which includes legal news, law reviews, case law-state and federal, codes and regulations, tax law, patent research, and career information. Note: This database can only be accessed from the MUW campus.

*U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Amendments

*U.S. Code

The body of law of the United States.

*U.S. Internet Government Periodicals

Provides access to full-text periodicals.

*Ben's Guide to U.S. Government for Kids

This site provides learning tools for K-12 students, parents, and teachers.

*State of Mississippi's Official Web Site

Information on government, education, health, business, lifestyles, community and tourism.

*State Census Index

Census records in a standard format for genealogical researchers.

*National Assodciation of Counties

Information on counties, such as county officials, courthouse addresses, seats, etc.

Assistance

• Ask for help in finding government documents on your topic:
  • *Reference Desk (329-7334)
  • *Documents Office (329-7688)