Finding Government Documents
Our government publishes millions of publications which are then sent out to depository libraries throughout the nation. These libraries are required to make these publications available to the public. Our library is a selective depository-- which means that we select certain classes of documents to be received on a regular basis. Among these documents are publications dealing with a wide variety of topics. We became a depository in 1957 which means that most of our documents were acquired after that date.
Location:
Most of the documents received by our library are located on book stacks along the east wall of the first floor. Many documents are on microfiche. These are located in the library’s Media Center, and there is equipment in the center for viewing the documents and making copies there. Media Center staff will help you with the equipment. More and more documents are now available online. To link to some of these click here: http://www.utm.edu/departments/acadpro/library/
lib_departments/government_documents/internet.php
Arrangement:
The documents collection is arranged by the Superintendent of Documents Classification System. This classification is easy to use since it places the publications together under the department which issued them with a letter referring to that department. ("A" stands for the Agriculture Department, "C" stands for the Commerce Department, etc. Only the Congressional publications, which are classed as "X's" and "Y's," are not classified under a logical abbreviation.) Within the department a numerical system groups the publications by departmental subdivisions and by type of publication (directories, handbooks, annual reports, etc.)
Indexing:
All of the more current paper documents are now indexed in the OPAC. Many of the microfiche documents and a number of the CD Roms are also included in the OPAC. http://www.utm.edu/departments/acadpro/library/catalog.php
To locate citations for earlier documents go to the Monthly Catalog of United States Government Publications. From 1976 on, this can be searched online at
http://catalog.gpo.gov/F
Paper copies of this publication are also available in the library including a Cumulative Subject Index to Monthly Catalog covering 1900-1970. For help in using the Monthly Catalog, check at the documents counter in the library (or at the reference desk at night or on weekends)
Circulation:
Documents may be used in the library without checking them out. Most longer documents (50 pages or longer) may be checked out of the library for a three week period. Shorter documents may be checked out for overnight use.
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