Useful Websites for Documents Librarians
Updated April 29, 2008.
Prepared by Peggy Jarrett for LIS 593: Selection and Processing of Law Library Materials
The following websites may be useful for government documents librarians or students interested in documents librarianship. It is not meant to be exhaustive. For information on the Gallagher Law Library's documents collection and polices, see United States Government Publications. For information on online documents research see Finding Federal Government Publications on the Internet.
Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) Resources
Federal Depository Library Program AdministrationThe FDLP Desktop includes the instructions, manuals, and guidelines governing the Depository program, plus Administrative Notes, shipping lists, Item Lister, WebTech Notes, and AskLPS.
Catalog of U.S. Government Publications
(CGP)
Internet version of the Monthly Catalog of United States Government Publications, from 1976 to date. Bibliographic records describing material distributed through the Federal Depository Library Program. Includes online titles. UW users can also access Marcive Web DOCS, the Catalog of U.S. Government Publications from 1976 to date, through the UW Libraries Research Databases.
New Electronic Titles
Predefined searches and monthly lists of new additions to the Federal Depository Library Program Electronic Collection. Full bibliographic information for the titles in these lists can be found in the Catalog of U.S. Government Publications.
Documents Data Miner
Collection management tool provided by a partnership between Wichita State University and the Federal Depository Library Program. Goal is to "assist depository libraries in processing, cataloging, and bibliographic control of federal documents." Includes a searchable List of Classes.
Government Documents
Librarianship
From the University of Michigan’s Documents Center. One-stop shopping site that
pulls together official and unofficial tools and resources.
Twenty-One Things to Do When Assuming Responsibility for a Federal Depository Library
Handy suggestions for a new documents librarian. See also GPO's Top 10 List for New Documents Librarians.
GPO Access
Searchable databases include Federal Register, Code of Federal Regulations, Congressional Record, bills, public laws, and committee reports, prints, and some hearings. Information generally from 1994 forward. The core of the FDLP Electronic Collection.
CyberCemetery
Electronic archive of websites and publications of defunct U.S. government agencies and commissions. Partnership of the U.S. Government Printing Office and the University of North Texas Libraries.
Acquisitions – Federal, State, and International
U.S. Government Online Bookstore
Publications available for sale from the Government Printing Office. Full-text searchable. Supports online ordering. Updated daily. E-mail notification is available for new titles on certain topics.
Bernan
Vendor for some GPO, United Nations, European Union, and other Intergovernmental Organization monographs and serials. Also publisher of reference books containing government information.
Monthly e-newsletter featuring new titles.
William S. Hein and Co., Inc.
Reprints some paper and online GPO titles on acid-free paper. Vendor for some current GPO and United Nations continuations. Also offers secondhand government documents. Publishes selected compiled federal legislative histories.
Hein Online
provides text of legislative and administrative publications.
International Governmental Organizations
Comprehensive list of IGO sites, including publications lists or catalogs. See also Foreign Governments,
which links to official websites.
Identifying Electronic Titles
Good general sources to monitor include BeSpacific and
DocuTicker. Also considering scanning news sources, either
in paper or online, for "hot documents" to add to the collection.
Professional Associations and Listservs
American Association of Law Libraries Government Documents Special Interest Section (GD-SIS)
Sponsors member listserv and publishes JURISDOCS, a quarterly newsletter quarterly (Z673.A56J87 at Classified Stacks). Also publishes a series of state legal documents bibliographies (KF1.Z95A42 at Reference Office).
American Association of Law Libraries Washington Affairs Office
Monitors legislative, judicial, and regulatory activities. Works with the AALL Government Relations Committee. Represents AALL's views to the larger community, including the federal government. Website provides access to AALL reports, testimony, and position papers.
American Library Association Government Documents Roundtable (GODORT)
Publishes DttP: Documents to the People (Z688.G6 D6 at Classified Stacks. Current three years only). Sponsors handout exchange with user guides, staff training materials, collection development policies, and depository self-studies. GODORT's Legislation Committee provides links to articles and other material on hot areas of information policy.
Northwest Government Information Network (NGIN)
Independent organization formed by Northwest documents librarians, but open to all with an interest in the promotion and effective use of government information. Meets twice a year. Sponsors DEPOSLIB, a listserv for depository librarians in Washington State.
GOVDOC-L
Moderated listserv concerning government information and the Federal Depository Library Program.