Welcome back to campus! Whether it is your first or final year, the Edmon Low Library is the go-to location for studying, research, and so much more. Primary source materials are abundant for those who know where to look and Government Documents is a treasure trove of such items.
Found Here
Researchers can find material in all subject areas in government documents which provide insight into national perspective, priorities, and historical activity from 1895 to present. Government information which can be used as a primary source in research includes:
- Statistics & Data Sets
- Congressional Publications
- Scientific & Health Reports
- Historical Materials
- Trade Agreements/Treaties
- Regulations
- Technical Reports
- Maps
- Open Access to Government-Funded Research
Information produced by federal agencies and preserved by the Federal Depository Library Program is copyright free and made available free of charge.
Treasured Primary Sources
The Government Documents Department at Oklahoma State University Library includes copies of all materials issued by the U.S. government through the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP). The FDLP is governed by U.S. law (44 U.S.C. 1901). The Library became an established depository in 1907 (a mere 12 years after the FDLP began). This designation provided increased options for building the documents collection. In 1979, they were designated as a regional depository. This honor brings with it additional duties. As a regional depository, the Library commits to long term preservation, interlibrary loan services, and reference for other depositories in the state. What a commitment! By agreeing to this arrangement, the regional FDLP libraries ensure people across the nation have access to both current and historic government publications.
Wait! There's more!
In addition to collecting every federal publication (regardless of format), the OSU Library's Government Documents department also includes publications from the state of Oklahoma and other states, foreign governments, and international organizations. Items collected outside of the Oklahoma and federal governments are selected to support fields of special interest to the OSU. Many government publications are available online. Paper copies may be scanned and printed for free. OSU affiliates may check the material out at the Circulation Desk on the first floor.
Ready, Set, Search
Ways to locate government information include:
- Google - Advanced Search (.gov)
- Agency Websites - EPA.gov
- Agency Subject Sites - science.gov, data.gov, business.gov
- GovInfo system, GPO - govinfo.gov
- Catalog of U.S. Government Publications, HathiTrust and HeinOnline - Library Databases
- Sites for Funded Research (NIH - PubMedCentral)
- Internet Archive - archive.org
.
For more information or for instruction on finding and using federal information in electronic or print format, contact the OSU Government Documents Department at 405.744.6546.
Comments