Your Government Publications
The University Library collections contain more than 200,000 print and non-print federal and state publications. The Library receives these materials at no cost as part of the
Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) and the Louisiana State Documents Depository Program (LSDDP).
"Established by Congress in 1813, the FDLP is often referred to as "America’s first freedom of information program." The FDLP is based on the principle that "citizens should have free, unimpeded, local access to official information produced by their Government.... The FDLP provides Government information at no cost to designated depository libraries throughout the country and territories. These depository libraries, in turn, provide local, no-fee access to Government information in an impartial environment with professional assistance." (About the FDLP).
"The Louisiana State Documents Depository Program (LSDDP), established by the Louisiana Legislature in 1948, assures that the state's citizens have free, convenient access to Louisiana's public documents. The Recorder of Documents office administers the program, receiving copies of all public documents from state agencies and institutions, then creating the official list of these publications. The documents are distributed to the 41 academic, public and special depository libraries where everyone can use these materials" (About the LSDDP).
A brochure, "Government Publications and Information in the University Library," provides a map showing the location of government documents collections in the University Library and handy search tips. View or print the online (color) version, or stop by the Reference Desk for a black-and-white copy. For a quick overview on the how and why of using federal and Louisiana government publications, see Introduction to Government Information Resources, prepared by Ms. Lori Smith, government documents librarian, Southeastern Louisiana University.
On The Shelf
In the Stacks
Many government documents are interfiled with other University Library collections. Those publications circulate in the same way as the other non-governmental publications with which they are shelved, according to standard University Library loan periods and policies. These books, periodicals, audiovisual, and other materials may be found by searching the online catalog. For example, searching by keywords "Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development" retrieves a list of more than 100 books, CD-ROMs, and other materials in circulating collections on first, third, fourth, and fifth floors.
You may choose to search specifically for government documents using the Advanced Search feature. You may limit your catalog search by a document location or item type. For example, a catalog search qualified by item type "Govt. Document, Circulating" will retrieve only materials which may be checked out; a search for "Govt. Document, NON-Circulating," will retrieve only non-circulating items. Most of the federal materials circulate; some do not, because they are reference-type materials, or very old, or just a few pages long, and therefore fragile but also easily photocopied.
In the Government Documents Collections, 2nd Floor
There are several special collections of government publications located on the second floor of the library:
- Federal government print collection
- Louisiana print collection
- Government documents oversize materials
- Federal and Louisiana maps, posters, etc., in the Map Case
- Federal government publications on microfiche, Media Services
- Federal and Louisiana pamphlet file materials, Media Services
- Federal and Louisiana CDs and DVDs, Media Services
- Materials in Government Documents Office
For information concerning the circulation policies for government documents, see Circulation Policy: Government Documents Collections.
Federal Government Print Collection
Most federal government publications are shelved on the north (bayou) side of the 2nd floor, adjacent to the general collections. (See the Library floor plan--click on the '2' on the right side of the screen to view the second floor). Look for the hanging red, white, and blue eagle sign.
When you identify these federal publications in the catalog, you may notice that they have unusual looking shelf numbers, such as "LC 19.16:" or "AE 2.106/3:26/". Federal materials are organized using a special classification scheme created by the federal government, known as "SuDocs" (Superintendent of Documents) numbers. It is easy to spot a documents number: it has a colon (:) in it. The SuDocs numbers indicate the government agency which issued the publications. SuDocs number ranges are indicated by cards on the ends of the bookshelves, just as the Library of Congress numbers appear at the end of each set of shelves in the general collections. (For further information concerning the SuDocs scheme, see An Explanation of the Superintendent of Documents Classification System.)
Louisiana Print Collection
State of Louisiana publications are located near the Bell Tower. (See the Library floor plan--click on the '2' on the right side of the screen to view the second floor).
The numbers for Louisiana documents ("LA Doc numbers") are very similar to the federal SUDOC numbers, reflecting the Louisiana government agency responsible for publishing the item. Like the federal numbers, LA Doc numbers have a colon somewhere in the number. (For further information concerning the Louisiana document numbering scheme, see Classification Schedule for Louisiana Documents. For an abridged list of Louisiana document class numbers, see the Summary.)
Government documents oversize materials
The oversized government documents are located on a table in the Government Documents Reading Area. Some of these items circulate.
Federal and Louisiana maps, posters, etc., in the Map Case
The government documents map cases are located in the Government Documents Reading Area. In addition to maps, the map cases contain posters, art prints, calendars, and other large graphical materials. These items do not circulate.
Federal government publications on microfiche, Media Services
Documents on microfiche are located in cabinets inside Media Servies, 2nd floor, Room 205, near the Government Publications Office. These may be found in the online catalog with any search, and their location will appear as "Media Services, 2nd Floor."
Federal and Louisiana pamphlet file materials, Media Services
There are print materials in filing cabinets in Media Services, near the Government Documents Office. Cataloging of these materials is in progress. The uncatalogued materials cannot be found using the online catalog; for assistance locating materials in the non-circulating pamphlet collection, contact the Government Publications Office.These non-circulating collections are organized by federal SUDOC or Louisiana Document Numbers.
Pamphlets and other publications may be removed from Media Services for purposes of photocopying or reading; the documents should be returned to the table next to the file cabinets for staff to re-file.Federal and Louisiana CDs and DVDs, Media Services
There are federal and State of Louisiana electronic publications on CD-ROM and DVD, located on top of the pamphlet files in Media Services. These may not be checked out.
Materials in Government Documents Office
There are reference materials housed in the Government Documents Office, intended primarily for the daily use of the government documents staff. Patrons are welcome to consult these materials during hours when the office is open; just stop by the government documents office, or call ahead to make sure that someone will be available to assist you. Our staff will be glad to make materials available to you for in-library use, in the Media Services area.
"E-Docs": Electronic Government Publications
Many electronic government publications may be accessed digitally via the library catalog. The University Library has more than 26,000 "e-docs." These may be retrieved with any search; their virtual "location" appears in the item record as "Electronic Government Publication." To read these materials, click on the blue "URL" link in the item record. If you wish to limit your catalog search to retrieve only these electronic materials, select the Advanced Search, and limit by item type "Government Publications, Electronic."
Web Resources
An increasing number of government publications and information resources are available via the Internet. In some instances, the online publication duplicates a print document or other physical format, but many resources are available online only. The following links provide access to some online government publications and information resources. (This area is under development and will be expanded substantially over time. Please check back frequently for changes and additions.)
Help with Government Publications
For questions or suggestion concerning government documents, please contact the Government Publications staff:
Dr. Karen Cook, Government Documents Librarian, kcook@ulm.edu
Ms. Charlotte Brown, Government Documents Specialist, cbrown@ulm.edu
Government Publications Office
University Library, Room 210
Phone: 318.342.1066
(Click on the '2' at right side of the University Library floor plan to see the location of the office on the second floor.)