HC 101I
From UCLA Library Public Wiki
Honors Collegium 101: I Research Information Literacy
Selected Information Sources
Government Information Session, February 10, 2009
Contents |
Catalogs and Major Websites
To locate specific titles or materials on a topic, start with the UCLA Library Catalog The UCLA Library is a depository for Federal, State, Local, and many international bodies, like the United Nations, European Union, as well as foreign governments. The Library has been collecting materials from all levels of government since the 1930’s, but has some publications prior to that date. This information is accessible through the Library’s Catalog.
Melvyl Next Generation Catalog
Libraries throughout the UC system and the country are also depository libraries for the various levels of government. Melvyl Next Gen is especially useful for locating California, International and foreign government information, which UCLA may not own.
Catalog of Government Publications
From the U.S. Government Printing Office, this is the finding tool for federal publications, historical and current. It is the online counterpart of the Monthly Catalog of United States Government Publications,
GPO Access
The Government Printing Office provides indexing and full text access to publications from the Legislative, Executive and Judicial branches of government, e.g. Congressional Record, Code of Federal Regulations, Federal Register, Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents, and many more.
USA.gov and USASearch.gov
U.S. Government’s official web portal and official search engine. Search for web sites, documents, images, news items from the Federal government. Some state government information can also be found using FirstGov.
Science.gov
Science.gov is a gateway to over 50 million pages of authoritative selected science information provided by U.S. government agencies, including research and development results.
Google US Government Search
Searches primarily .gov and .mil domains; good for locating both federal and state government information.
FedStats
Access to statistics from over 100 federal agencies, browse by topic, agency, or geography.
Info.gov
The National Contact Center responds to telephone and e-mail inquiries about Federal programs, benefits, and services, and processes telephone requests for consumer publications.
Agency Websites
Agency Approach to Locating Government Information (Chuck Malone, Western Illinois University Library)
USASearch.gov
Use USASearch.gov to identify federal agencies associated with a topic or keywords; search for images, breaking news from federal agencies, etc.
U.S. Government Manual
Use the official handbook of the Federal Government to find out which agency covers your topic. The Government Manual provides background information on the agencies of the legislative, judicial, and executive branches. It also includes information on quasi-official agencies, international organizations in which the United States participates, and boards, commissions, and committees. Available in print: 1935-1972/73 and 1973/74 - current
UCLA Library Guide: State and Local Governments and California Government
Includes a list of online directories and resources for locating California and other 50 state and local government agency websites and information.
UCLA Library Guide: Los Angeles City/County Government
Links to key resources about the organization of municipal and county government.
Specialized Searches
GPO Browse Topics
Resource guides created by government information librarians in the U.S. covering many topics.
Technical Reports, Standards, and Patents UCLA Science and Engineering Library
Americal Library Association's Government Documents Roundtable Handout Exchange
Resource guides on a wide variety of topics created by created by government information librarians in the U.S.
Public Records and Declassified Documents
- Levine S. and Barbara T. Newcombe. 1996. Paper trails : a guide to public records in California. Sacramento : California Newspaper Publishers Association.Location.
- California Public Records Act
- FOIA USA.gov FAQ
- Improving Declassification: a Report to the President from the Public Interest Declassification Board October 2007.
- Declassified Documents Reference System
Collection of over 70,000 primary source government documents, from the post-WWII period through the 1970's. Contains declassified documents from presidential libraries, the C.I.A., the F.B.I. and a host of other agencies concerning major domestic and international events of the post-World War II era.
- National Security Archive George Washington University
The National Security Archive combines a unique range of functions in one non governmental, non-profit institution. The Archive is simultaneously a research institute on international affairs, a library and archive of declassified U.S. documents obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, a public interest law firm defending and expanding public access to government information through the FOIA, and an indexer and publisher of the documents in books,microfiche, and electronic formats.
- Digital National Security Archive subscription paid for by UCLA Library
Contains more than 40,000 declassified documents. The National Security Archive is a prolific user of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The Digital National Security Archive contains 20 complete collections: Afghanistan, Berlin Crisis 1958-1962, China and the US, Cuban Missile Crisis, El Salvador 1977-1984, El Salvador 1980-1994, Iran-Contra Affair, Intelligence Community, Iran Revolution, Iraqgate, Japan and the US, Military Uses of Space, Nicaragua, Nuclear Non-Proliferation, Philippines, Presidential Directives from Truman to Clinton, South Africa, Soviet Estimate, U.S. Espionage and Intelligence, and U.S. Nuclear History. China and the US, El Salvador 1980-1994, Japan and the US, U.S. Espionage and Intelligence, U.S. Nuclear History, Kissinger Telephone Coversations, Kissinger Transcripts.
News Sources
The First Amendment in the Colonial Newspaper Press First Amendment Center
Newspapers List of online newspapers and indexes to newspapers that the UCLA subscribes to.
Guides to Locating and Using Government Information
UCLA Research Library Government Information Website
Martin, Mary, ed. (2005). Local and Regional Government Information : How To Find It, How To Use It. Westport, Conn. : Greenwood Press, 2005. Location.
Morehead, Joe. (1999). Introduction to United States Government Information Sources. Englewood, Colo. : Libraries Unlimited. Location.
Morrison, Andrea M and Barbara J. Mann. (2004). International Government Information And Country Information : A Subject Guide. Westport, Conn. : Greenwood Press. Location.
Sears, Jean L. and Marilyn Moody. (2001). Using Government Information Sources : Electronic and Print. Phoenix, Ariz. : Oryx Press. Location.
Smith, Lori, et al. (2003). Tapping State Government Information Sources. Westport, Conn. : Greenwood Press. Location.
Contacts
Federal Government Information: Maria Jankowska
State, Local, Canadian, British Government Information and NGOs: Kris Kasianovitz
International Government Information: Joseph Yue
Foreign Government Information: Select from the various area studies librarians.
