Typical Search Strategies
Finding government documents presents challenges not often associated with finding information in other parts of the library. One way of improving success rates is to take a few moments to develop a plan based on the kind of information needed. The outline below provides possible strategies depending on whether the information needed is miscellaneous (it doesn't fit in any of the other categories), generally:
Decide what category best fits your needs, and try the suggestions listed there. If you don't find what you need, ask for assistance at the Reference Desk (543-4154).
Miscellaneous Information
This category of information includes whatever doesn't seem to fit in any of the other categories. Begin your search using these tools:
- The online catalog for most things received since November 1993
- GPO Access for materials published since 1976
- WorldCat available from FirstSearch for materials previous to 1976
- "Subject Bibliographies" for Hot Topics
- Monthly Catalog for materials published since 1900 (Government Documents Reference Collection)
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Statistical Information
This category covers a lot of territory (including Census information, but for guidance there, see the next section of this page). The federal government is particularly adept at collecting statistical information. The suggestions below are a starting point. For additional suggestions, please ask for assistance at the Reference Desk.
- Statistical Universe Find answers fast by searching statistical tables. Search summaries of statistical publications for comprehensive overviews of documents. Click to other Web sites with useful information about statistics.
- Relatively current popular information--Statistical Abstract (Government Documents Reference, C 3.134: Use the Index first to find Table Numbers) or try the Statistical Abstract from the Census Bureau.
- Very current popular information--FedStats, provided by the Federal Interagency Council on Statistical Policy. This site includes an A-to-Z subject list of links, a search tool, policies, press releases, contacts, and much more, and it's easy to use.
- Relatively current but possibly more obscure information--Statistical Universe
- Older information--Historical Statistics of the United States, Colonial Times to 1970 (Government Documents Reference, C 3.134/2:H 62/789-970/pt. 1-2) and the Statistical Abstract from 1878 to the present at C 3.134:.
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Census Information
Census information is available in paper, on CD-ROM, and for the most recent estimates, on the Internet. Our collection covers the entire United States, but provides a particular focus on Missouri Census information. The suggestions below are only a starting point. Ask for assistance if you don't find what you need.
- U.S. Census data for 1990 and 2000 available online at the American FactFinder and at the Missouri Census Data Center
- Historical Census data--Summary information in Historical Statistics of the United States, Colonial Times to 1970 (Government Documents Reference, C 3. 134/2:H 62/789-970/pt. 1-2). To find more complete early census data, check Dubester's U.S. Census Bibliography with SuDocs Class Numbers and Indexes in the Government Documents Reference Collection.
- Historical Census Browser Provides U.S. census statistics on states and counties from 1790 to 1960.
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Legislative Information
Finding legislative information has gotten a great deal easier since 1993 with the establishment of GPO Access and the Library of Congress THOMAS sites. In addition to those Internet sites, we also have laws, bills, and congressional reports on microfiche and in paper formats. Ask for assistance at Reference.
- Congressional Universe Search bills, legislation, the Congressional Record, US Code, the Federal Register, the Code of Federal Regulations, hearing testimony, and much more. This resource also provides indexing for early Congresses.
- Academic Universe Search for Federal and state legislative information.
- U.S. Statutes at Large Reference Law Collection. This is a chronological collection of U.S. laws. Each volume includes an index.
- U.S. Code Reference Law Collection. This is a subject-organized (codified) collection of U.S. laws. A multi-volume subject index accompanies this set. This title is also available at GPO Access.
- Recent Congresses, various access points, GPO Access at GPO Access is the authorized sources for legislative information. Potential searches include keyword WAIS searches and bill number searches.
- THOMAS The Library of Congress has designed this site to provide additional assistance in locating legislative information. You can get the current status of bills, recent action, bill summaries, and other information as well as the full text of the bills (from GPO Access) at this site. Many users find this site much easier to use than GPO Access.
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Periodical Information
The UCM depository receives many magazines and journals through the federal depository. The articles in these periodicals are often not indexed in the most popular paper and electronic indexes. Therefore, using indexes designed specifically for government information can improve chances of finding those articles considerably. Once citations have been found, use Quest, the online catalog, to confirm location in the library. Many periodical titles are shelved by SuDoc number in the documents collection.
- Military & Government Collection Provides indexing and full text articles from military and government periodicals. Produced by Ebsco Host.
- Index to U.S. Government Periodicals. This is the precursor to U.S. Government Periodicals Universe. Coverage is from 1970 to 1987. Previous to this title, documents users may find annual indexes in the December issues of some periodical titles.
- Government Periodicals Index (1988-present). This database does not index the Congressional Record or the Federal Register. Use Congressional Universe or GPO Access or the paper indexes shelved with these periodicals to search these titles.
- National Criminal Justice Reference Service, has available two resources on the Internet for searching and finding information:
- NCJRS Abstracts Database--The National Criminal Justice Reference Service Abstracts Database contains summaries of more than 150,000 criminal justice publications, including Federal, State, and local government reports, books, research reports, journal articles, and unpublished research.
- NCJRS Virtual Library--This searches NCJRS's Justice Information Center web site and the web sites of the agencies of the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs* and the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy.
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Judicial Information
Access to court decisions has gotten a great deal easier in the recent past.
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