U.S. Government Publications Collection Information:
What is a government document or publication?
Informational material which is published at government expense, or as required by law (Title 44 USC
1901). Federal, state, and local governments collect and produce information to carry out their work in
developing new programs and evaluating existing ones. Government publications are generated as part of
their
daily business. The different
departments/agencies are the authors, while the government is the publisher.
How does Ladd Library receive U.S. government documents?
Ladd is one of the 11 depository libraries in Maine. The depository library system is a
cooperative program between the federal government and designated libraries throughout the United States.
This network of libraries provides a government information infrastructure for the nation. The collection
is mandated by public law to be open and available to the public. It was created by Congress in 1813.
On Dec. 14, 1883, the Honorable Nelson Dingley, Jr. of the second congressional district named
Bates College as the first official depository in Maine. Government publications are supplied free of
cost to the libraries who in turn make them readily
accessible to the American public. The depository library is a link between the citizens and their
government. We are a selective depository, currently receiving 44% of what GPO publishes, and choose
topics of materials we receive. Each depository
evaluates what would be best for its individual communities. We select those materials best suited for
Bates College, the Lewiston/Auburn area, and the 2nd Congressional District. The full depository for our
region is Fogler Library, University of Maine at Orono. To find out more about the Federal Depository
Library Program, visit the Keeping America Informed page at GPO.
Where are U.S. government publications
located?
The majority of the collection is on the ground floor. We receive
documents in various formats, including internet access. Paper, maps,
CD-ROMs, and microfiche are all together in the documents area. These
have the designation GOVT. Some material is located in a separate
Government Reference Collection on the main floor, at the end of the
Reference stacks. These have the designation GOVT. REF. Reference
assistance is available on the main floor, or call (207)786-6271. What does this collection contain?
Reports and
statistics from the federal govt. departments and agencies, Congressional
and legislative info., laws, regulations, census material, presidential
materials, and commission publications. We have both historical and
current material. We became a depository for government information in 1883
and
have a rich collection. Strengths of our collection:
 U.S. Serial Set
Smithsonian publications
Census data and
other statistical data
Congressional Record
and predecessors
Congressional Hearings
Presidential materials
Environmental sciences
Foreign and military policy
Justice Dept.
Federal Reserve publications
Supreme Court Reports
Regulations How is the collection
arranged?
It is arranged by Superintendent
of Documents classification (SuDoc) call number. This number is based
upon the organizational structure of the U.S. government. This means that
all publications put out by a particular department, such as the State
Dept. (S) or the EPA (EP) are shelved together. In the call number of a
document, the numbers after the decimal point are read as whole numbers,
not as decimal numbers; for example .42 files before .351. How do you find out what is in the collection?
Access to approximately 1/3 of the collection (ALL materials received
1998+) is found through the Catalog
like any other library material. Search by title, author, keyword, or
subject. For material that is not in the catalog, look in Marcive
Web Docs (1976 to current) or Catalog of
U.S. Government Publications (1994+). Write down the call number of
the document you have found, then check the Bates collection to see if we
have it. If Bates does not own the document you need, see the Reference
staff. We also have the indexes and bibliographies to identify
publications issued earlier. See How to
Search for Government Information for more details. Who can borrow documents?
Everyone can
borrow this material. This includes the general public as well as the
Bates community. The Circulation staff can make a record for govt. docs.
borrowing only. Most publications circulate, please consult the material specific policies
for details. All government publications may be used in the building. This
includes paper, microfiche, CD-ROM, and maps. Some titles are marked DOES
NOT CIRCULATE, these are for building use only. Materials in the GOVT. REF
collection do not circulate except with permission of the Reference Dept.
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