About Government Information Services
Collections
United States Government
Designated as a Federal depository in 1883, the Library’s collection has grown to include over 800,000 paper documents, 1.5 million microforms, and over 110,000 maps. The historical print collections date from the beginning of the 19th century and include many reports of government-sponsored scientific and ethnographic explorations. The Library also owns the entire nineteenth century Congressional Serial Set and provides full-text access via Lexis/Nexis. Significant components of the collection include census reports and USGS, DOE, EPA, and NASA technical reports. Recent documents are available in CD-ROM or on the internet.
State of Mississippi
Although the State Depository Program wasn’t legislated until 1966, the Library’s collection includes significant historical Mississippi documents from the nineteenth century such as Department Reports, the Laws, and Senate and House Journals. The entire state documents collection is cataloged and searchable in the library’s online catalog.
Policies
Lending Policies
Most government documents, maps and CDROMS may be checked out to patrons with a current borrower’s card or to other libraries via Interlibrary Loan. The loan periods vary according to the format and the borrower’s status, and are explained in the Library’s circulation policy. Reference materials and nineteenth century materials normally do not circulate but may be borrowed for a brief time with the approval of a Government Information Services librarian.
Other Policies
Depository Access Policy
Collection Development Policy
Internet Use
Electronic Service Guidelines
Instructional & Research Consultation Services
The GIS Librarian works with faculty to tailor instruction for specific courses and to assist in creating workable library assignments. Research assistance is available in person at the GIS/Media/Microforms desk from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The librarian is also available for an extended research consultation by appointment.
To schedule an instruction session or a research consultation, call 915-7986 or e-mail the GIS Department Head. Reference and consultation services are available to other libraries as well as to individuals.
How to Find Government Information in the Library
| Online Catalog:
U.S. documents published since 1976 and all Mississippi state documents have records in the online catalog. In addition, more than 60,000 documents printed between 1789 and 1975 have been cataloged, and more are cataloged every day. Most government documents and maps can be checked out. Use the “Expanded Keyword Search” form to limit results by location to federal or state documents. Please contact staff for help in finding elusive government publications. |
Databases & Indexes:
Government Information Services provides assistance with the online catalog, electronic databases, print indexes, and websites to locate needed resources. The following are among the most useful commercial databases focused on federal information: Public Documents Masterfile |
| The Internet:
The library catalog includes links to online versions of government documents. More than 70,000 records for federal documents have such links. You can also use the Quick Links and Web Resources pages to find online government information by agency and by topic. |
Shelving:
Federal and state paper documents and maps are shelved in stacks adjacent to the GIS service desk. Federal depository microforms are located with the main microform collection. (See floor maps.) Federal documents are arranged in the SuDocs classification system, by issuing agency. Mississippi state documents are classified in the Library of Congress system. |
