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HIST 3301 (Dr. Elizabeth Clark): Historical Methods (Govt. Docs)

Historical Methods - Research U.S. Government Documents

What are Government Documents?

Government documents are publications of governments, such as federal, state, and local governments.

The U.S. government is the largest publisher in the world.  Originally named the Government Printing Office, the GPO began operation in 1861.

In the Cornette Library, "Government Documents" refers to a separate collection of U.S. documents and State of Texas documents on the 2nd floor.

Established in 1928, Cornette Library is a “selective” U.S. depository library.  It now selects and receives about 60% of the items made available by the U.S. government.

It was a State of Texas depository library from 1974 until the program downsized in 2011.  But the Government Documents unit still maintains the Texas resources and has many Texas items dating back to the 1930s and older.

Federal Depository Library Program

The Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) was established by Congress to ensure that the American public has access to its Government's information. The FDLP is administered by the U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO).

Since 1813, select U.S. Government documents have been made available throughout the United States and its territories to designated libraries. These designated libraries are called Federal depository libraries.

Government Documents - Librarian

Please contact Carolyn Ottoson if you have any questions!  Office is located on the 2nd floor of the library.

cottoson@wtamu.edu

(806)651-2204