Finding Government Documents
In Print
You can search our print government documents collection by searching our catalog.
Databases
- HeinOnline – HeinOnline is a premier online database containing more than 158 million pages and 200,000 titles of historical and government documents in a fully searchable, image-based format.
- National Technical Reports Library (NTRL) – Index to technical publications from the U.S. government. Includes full text reports from 1995 and select full text for earlier publications.
Finding Aids
USA.gov – USA.gov is your online guide to government information and services.
Topics include:
GovInfo includes:
- Legislative, Executive, and Judicial content:
- Bills and Statutes, congressional committee materials, and proceedings of Congress
- Presidential and regulatory materials
- Opinions from more than 100 U.S. courts
- New content daily– Congressional Record, Federal Register, House and Senate Calendars
- Multiple file formats– PDF documents, audio, photos, XML
- Curated collections– Nancy Reagan tribute, documents related to the sinking of the Titanic
- Digitized historical content– oldest dates back to 1793
- High-profile publications– 9-11 Report, Post JFK Assassination Audio, Warren Commission Report and Hearings, Financial Crisis Inquiry Report, Nixon’s Watergate Grand Jury Testimony, and landmark legislation: Civil Rights Act and Obamacare
For more about what GovInfo includes, click here.
Science.gov searches over 60 databases and over 2,200 scientific websites to provide users with access to more than 200 million pages of authoritative federal science information including research and development results. For more click here.
Metalib GPO Access is a federated search engine that searches multiple U.S. Federal government databases, retrieving reports, articles, and citations while providing direct links to selected resources available online.
OSTI, or the U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information, “fulfills agency-wide responsibilities to collect, preserve, and disseminate both unclassified and classified scientific and technical information (STI) emanating from DOE-funded research and development (R&D) activities at DOE national laboratories and facilities and at universities and other institutions nationwide.”
OSTI.GOV is the primary search tool for DOE science, technology, and engineering research and development results and the organizational hub for information about the DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information. It consolidates OSTI’s home page and our now retired primary search tool SciTech Connect.
Catalog of United States Government Publications is the finding tool for federal publications that includes descriptive information for historical and current publications as well as direct links to the full document, when available. Users can search by authoring agency, title, subject, and general keywords, or click on “Advanced Search” for more options.
Other Resources
National Archives and Records Administration is the nation’s “record keeper.”
“Those valuable records are preserved and are available to you, whether you want to see if they contain clues about your family’s history, need to prove a veteran’s military service, or are researching a historical topic that interests you.”
For more about NARA’s holdings, click here.
Resources include:
Library of Congress is the largest library in the world, with millions of books, recordings, photographs, newspapers, maps and manuscripts in its collections. The Library is the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office.
The Library preserves and provides access to a rich, diverse and enduring source of knowledge to inform, inspire and engage you in your intellectual and creative endeavors. Whether you are new to the Library of Congress or an experienced researcher, we have a world-class staff ready to assist you online and in person.
Federal Depository Library Program Webinars includes webinars on projects and research on a huge variety of topics.
Statistics
Statistical Abstract – The U.S. Census Bureau terminated the collection of data for the Statistical Compendia program effective October 1, 2011. The Statistical Compendia program is comprised of the Statistical Abstract of the United States and its supplemental products—the State and Metropolitan Area Data Book and the County and City Data Book.
You can use site:.gov (with no spaces) followed by your search terms to search .gov websites via Google.
For example, try “site:.gov HIPPA data security best practices”.
HINT: The same trick will also work with other domains. For NY state government information try “site:.ny.gov topic”.
Technical Reports
Our Technical Reports page may also be a useful source for finding aids.