KAP: Introduction to Government Documents

Overview

The U.S Government Printing Office (GPO) is the largest publisher in the United States. Congress passed a law during the 19th century creating the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP), which today supplies copies of government publications to approximately 1,350 depository libraries nationwide. Kenyon has participated in this program since 1873. Kenyon’s collection covers virtually every research topic imaginable: the government investigates, researches, and writes on everything!

U.S. Government publications are mostly kept in a separate section in the library, and are shelved using a special call number system: the SuDocs system, short for the Superintendent of Documents System. It is a system of letters, numbers, and punctuation (such as colons and slashes) unique to federal documents. Each call number starts with a letter(s) that indicates the issuing agency. Thus Agriculture Department documents start with the letter A, Defense with D, etc. There are, of course, exceptions: since the Commerce Department got C, Congress is filed under Y.

 

Finding Tools

Note: There is, unfortunately, no single definitive place one can go to search a complete list of Kenyon’s government documents collection. However, by using several tools one can get a good sense of what is available. If you are not sure whether Kenyon owns something, always write down the title and SuDocs number (call number) and check the stacks.

CONSORT Catalog
Information about many, but not all, government documents that Kenyon owns can be found in the library catalog. When you encounter government documents in the catalog, it's possible that Kenyon may have documents listed at other CONSORT libraries. Write down the SuDocs number (call number) and check the shelves. Remember, you need to ask at the Reference Desk for access to the compact shelving on the first floor.

U.S. Serial Set
The Serial Set is a collection of Senate reports, House reports, Senate documents, House documents, including the House and Senate Journals through the 52nd Congress. Congress designates additional items for inclusion such as administrative reports, internal manuals, congressional directories, special reports, annual reports of agencies and other papers. The Serial Set does not include congressional hearings, debates, or committee prints. Recent House and Senate reports and documents are available on the web. A lot of information related to diplomatic history can be found here, especially relating to wars. An index to the set (328.73 C78) can be found in the Government Publications Reference area on the first floor, while the set itself is in the second floor Reference stacks. The Serial Set is also available online, through LexisNexis.

Selected Government Information Web Sites

  • American Memory: The Library of Congress’ site for digital collections of primary materials. Collection topics are broad, and include agriculture, architecture, business and economics, education, performing arts, maps, photographs, and much more. This is a good site for browsing.
  • Historical Census Browser: The University of Virginia has uploaded data on the web for censuses conducted from 1790 to 1960. Choose from different major categories, such as “population characteristics” and then from difference basic variables, such as “number of females 18-44 years of age” for different states. Once basic variables are selected, more specific variables become available. Be aware that different kinds of information were collected during different censuses, so that the information available from census to census may differ slightly.
  • Historical Statistics of the United States: HSUS is a compendium of statistics from more than 1,000 sources and includes more than 37,000 data series about American history. Tables may be graphed, customized, and downloaded.
  • US Census Bureau: A good place to go for 1990 and 2000 census information, and for some historical data, depending on the subject.
  • Thomas: The Library of Congress comprehensive legislative information home page provides everything from the full text of proposed legislation and final legislation to email addresses of Members of Congress. Includes full text of legislation, the Congressional Record (text of what is said on the floor of the House and Senate) and its index, and bill summaries. Several files begin with the 101 st Congress, but coverage in some areas extends back to the 1970’s.
  • National Archvies and Records Administration Archival Research Catalog: The online catalog of NARA's nationwide holdings in the Washington, DC area, Regional Archives and Presidential Libraries. Click the yellow button to search; check "Descriptions of Archival Materials linked to digital copies" to limit your search to only online federal government records.

Other Sources

Statistical Abstract [Reference HA 202.A1]
The library has, with some gaps, the yearly Statistical Abstract going back to 1883. Although the older editions, in particular, will not have much, if any state level data, “StatAbs” is an excellent source of national level data and for data across many years.

Historical Statistics of the United States [Infodesk HA202 .B87 1975]
Contains summary information about a variety of aspects of life in the United States, including prices, income, business, labor, and much more. Some state-level information. This is also available online (see above).

Foreign Relations of the United States [KEN Main JX 233.A3]
The Foreign Relations of the United States series (also called Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States) is a documentary record of U.S. foreign policy and diplomacy. Published by the U.S. Department of State's Office of the Historian, FRUS dates back to the presidency of Abraham Lincoln. Also available online through the University of Wisconsin. Located on the second floor of the library, this series is browsable by topic and year.

Public Papers of the President
A series that contains presidential addresses and statements, communications to Congress and appointments and nominations. Sets are in the main stacks. Use the CONSORT catalog to do a keyword search on the name of the president in whom you are interested AND papers. Some are published by private publishers. Also, the American Presidency Project has gathered many Presidential papers, proclamations, and speeches into an online archive.

Locating Materials in the Library

To locate materials and departments in the Library please refer to the Library Floor Plans. For more information on finding government information at Kenyon, consult Kenyon's government documents online guide.

Need Help?

Ask the reference librarian on duty or contact:

Nina Clements
Librarian and Technology Consultant
Email: clementsn@kenyon.edu
Phone: 740/427-5668