Government Information Collections
The term government information describes library resources containing information compiled and published by government departments and agencies. These "documents" or "government publications" are located in a separate collection on th e 3rd floor of CWU Library. For more information on terminology used in government information, including links to WWW versions of the items listed, see our glossary.
Libraries can be legally designated as depositories for government information. When a library is assigned depository status, it accepts the responsible for receiving, maintaining and providing access for all library users to all government publication s received through the Depository Library Program. CWU Library has been a depository for U.S. government publications since 1962, and a depository for Washington State government publications since 1955.
Subjects
Subjects covered by government information include almost every topic imaginable.
- Popular materials include consumer information, recreation guides and foreign country data.
- Technical and special documents include tax forms, patents and environmental impact statements.
- Official publications contain laws, regulations and legislation.
Formats
- Sizes of documents can range from 1-page pamphlets to large sets of Compact Disks.
- Documents collections include books, periodicals, maps, leaflets, photographs and posters.
- Information is received on paper, microfiche, disk, CD-ROM, video, and the Internet.
Location
The government publications collection is located on the 3rd floor of CWU Library. The collection is open for browsing. Separate rooms for maps and microforms contain furniture and equipment for viewing and copying these materials.
Five workstations with Internet access and CD-ROM players are available for students and faculty. Two CATTRAX stations provide access to CWU Library collections. Some of the most heavily used government books and periodicals are located in other areas of the library (such as Serials, Reference or the main stacks). The call numbers and locations for these titles are listed in the CATTRAX online catalog.
Call Numbers
Call numbers for publications in the government documents collection arrange materials by the publishing agency (not by subject).
- United States document call numbers are referred to as SuDoc Numbers. In this system the first letter, or letters, stand(s) for the department responsible for the publication. (A for Agriculture Department, S for Stat e Department, etc.) The numbers following the . [period] are whole numbers, not decimal numbers.
- Washington State call numbers begin with WA, followed by letters indicating the publishing agency.
Circulation
Circulation of government documents or maps is usually for 2 weeks.
- Items are first entered into CATTRAX at the Documents Reference Desk (on the 3rd floor), and then checked out and returned through the Circulation Desk (on the 1st floor).
- A few documents, such as rare or fragile publications, reference works and microforms, must be used in the building.
Assistance
Reference assistance is available at the Documents desk on the 3rd floor.
Services are generally available until 10 P.M. Sunday through Thursday. The telephone number for the Desk is (509)963-1541.