DBU Library - Government Documents

Government Documents

This library is a congressionally designated depository for
U.S. Government documents. Public access to the
government documents collection is guaranteed by public law.
(Title 44 United States Code).

Home > Library & Research > Government Documents

QUICK FIND:

Access
Services

Perhaps you have searched our online catalog and found entries that read: "Library Location: Government Documents-Library, 2nd Floor." This means that you have found a book, report, or other item published by the Government Printing Office. Most government documents are shelved near the computer lab on the second floor. Write down the call number. Books are shelved in alpha-numerical order according to the government agency responsible for publication. If you have trouble locating a government document item, please feel free to consult the Supervisor of Government Documents, whose office is located near the govdoc shelves on the 2nd floor.

Vance Memorial Library is a selective U.S. government publications depository for the 24th Congressional District. The Government Documents office is located on the 2nd floor of the Collins Learning Center. This program brings useful information from the federal government to Library users in a variety of media:

Print
Microfiche
CD-ROMs
Internet

Our depository collection focuses on materials from several sources,
including:

Congress
Department of Labor
Department of Education
Department of Justice
Other government agencies

ACCESS

The Dallas Baptist University community and the general public may use these materials during regular open hours. In most cases, Government Documents may be checked out.

Accessing Government Documents

Online Catalog: To find government documents in the Online Catalog, use Advanced Search. In the first box, type <govdoc> as your search term, then choose "Keyword" from the drop-down list. In the second box, type your topic of interest, and again select "Keyword" from the adjacent drop-down list. Your search will retrieve only government documents pertaining to your topic.
Internet:
- FDsys (GPO's Federal Digital System) – free online access to official publications from all three branches of the Federal Government
- Thomas – extensive information from the United States Congress, through the Library of Congress, including bills, laws, reports, calendars, historical documents, and explanations of how our laws are made
- Direct links to selected government sites are found on the Library’s Government Documents links page

SERVICES

Access to the GPO Monthly Catalog, the index to government documents, is available online through FirstSearch. Visit our Find Articles page, roll your mouse over Supplemental Sources, and choose FirstSearch Collections. Select "GPO" from the list of options to begin your search.
Instruction in the use of government documents provided upon request
- Individual instruction:
  - In the use of online government databases
  - In the use of documents (print, microfiche, and online formats)
- Class instruction:
  - At request of instructor
  - Make arrangements with GovDocs Supervisor (see below)