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
Circulation

Perhaps you have searched our online catalog and found call numbers that begin with the designation "GOVDOC." This means that you have found a book, report, or other item published by the Government Printing Office.

Vance Memorial Library is a selective U.S. government publications depository for the 30th 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
Maps
CDs
Internet

Most print-format government documents are shelved near the computer lab on the second floor. Yellow labels at the ends of the stacks indicate the government documents section. Other formats, such as microfiche, maps, CDs, and reserved items are available at the Circulation desk on the first floor.. However, government information is becoming increasingly available online. The online resources are available through links in the library's catalog. 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.

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

Congress
Department of Labor
Department of Education
Department of Health and Human Services
Other government agencies

ACCESS

The Dallas Baptist University community and the general public may use these materials during regular operating 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 "Keyword" box, type <govdoc> as your search term. Change the second drop-down box to "Keyword" then type your search term(s). Your search will retrieve only government documents pertaining to your topic.
Internet:
- U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) Home Page
  
  http://www.gpo.gov/
  
  Catalog of U.S. Government Publications (CGP)
  
  http://catalog.gpo.gov/F
  
  FDsys: GPO’s Federal Digital System
  
  http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/
  
  USA.gov (U.S. Government Official Web Portal)
  
  http://www.usa.gov/
  
  Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP)
  
  http://www.fdlp.gov/
  
  MetaLib: Federated search engine to search multiple Federal Government databases simultaneously.
  
  http://metalib.gpo.gov/
  
  THOMAS (Legislative information from the Library of Congress)
  
  http://thomas.loc.gov/home/thomas.php
  
  A-Z Index of U.S. Government Departments and Agencies
  
  http://www.usa.gov/Agencies/Federal/All_Agencies/index.shtml
  
  Browse Government Publications
  
  http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/browse/collectiontab.action
  
  U.S. Government Information by Topic
  
  http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/All-Topics.shtml
  
  Core Documents of Our Democracy
  
  http://www.gpo.gov/libraries/core_docs.htm

CIRCULATION

U. S. Government materials, in any format, are intended for public use. Anyone is welcome to use them in the library and many may be checked out. People holding either a valid DBU ID card, or a Texas driver's license showing residence in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, are eligible to check out Government Document items.

Type of material	Print documents /books	CD/DVD/VHS	Reserve Items
Check-out period	2 weeks	1 week	3 hours
Maximum items	10	2	1
Fines	$0.25/day/item Max: $12.50	$1.00/day Max: $13.00	$0.25/hr Max $1.00/day

One renewal is allowed. Overdue items are declared lost after 30 days; a $15 lost item fee is charged. Payment of a fee for damaged material does not transfer ownership of the material to the patron.

Some items are restricted to library use only. These include:

Periodicals (less than 12 months old)
Books stamped "Reference Use Only"
Displayed materials
Microfiche and Maps

The DBU Government Documents Library exists to serve the public; however, at times it may be necessary to refer an individual to other neighboring depositories. Some other area depository libraries include:

Arlington Public Library	817-459-6797
Dallas Public Library	214-670-1452
Southern Methodist University	214-768-2561
Texas Christian University	817-257-5430
University of Texas, Arlington	817-272-0923
University of Texas, Dallas	972-883-4103
University of North Texas	940-369-5067