This is an examination of 200 years of historical documents series, 1789-1989. It ends before the rapid transformation of many government document series from print to digital. See the library's Federal Policy Process site for a guide to locating current government information, 1990 to present. This guide attempts to identify and locate major historical print and digital collections within the Indiana University library system. It also identifies major digital collections now being made available free on the Internet. It does not attempt to list every historical index or source produced over the years, but identifies the most comprehensive, authoritative, and useful edition. The main exception to this is the executive agency publications of the twentieth century. This constitutes the largest and most diverse collection of government publications and could not possibly be listed here. However, this guide provides a thorough review of executive publications of the nineteenth century as part of the United States Congressional Serial Set, a discussion of the development of executive agency publications in the twentieth century, current indexing and access tools for identifying historical materials, and recommendations for obtaining materials.
From the beginning of the republic America's founding fathers realized the power of an informed citizenry in creating a democracy. In many cases a colony's earliest printing press was established to print its laws, legislative records, and proclamations. In 1789 the House of Representatives provided for the printing and distribution of the laws and proceedings of the new Congress. Since then the United States government has become the largest publisher in the world. It produces information on almost every topic, and in every format available. The historical significance of this printed output is that it constitutes the single, largest, richest collection of primary source documents for the study of the history of the United States.
While an invaluable source for research, government documents have been underutilized for a variety of reasons:
- A lack of understanding of the type of material available and its role in illuminating events
- The difficulty in identifying appropriate government material
- The difficulty in locating specific documents once identified
- A lack of knowledge of the depth, breadth, and meticulous research available from government publications
This guide attempts to overcome these barriers for the researcher. First, through its arrangement and descriptive analysis, this guide clarifies for the researcher the type of material available and its informational role within the government and for historical research. The guide is organized first by branch of government - legislative, executive, judicial - and then presents the major document series.
Second, prior to the 1970s access to government publications was difficult. Most printed indexes were complicated to use and lacked comprehensive access by subject or keyword. Indexing and, to some extent, cataloging of historical government documents has become more comprehensive and easier to use. For each document series this guide identifies the best indexes currently available at IPFW and in the Indiana University library system, print or electronic, governmental or commercial, for identifying specific documents.
Third, most government documents were not included in old card catalogs or in many library online catalogs so that it was difficult to identify whether a document existed and where it might be found. Since 1976 virtually every publication that has been listed in the Monthly Catalog of Government Publications has been cataloged and made available for location in WorldCat (OCLC), the world's largest and most comprehensive bibliographic database. In addition, Indiana University has purchased the catalog records that represent their collection since 1976 and loaded them into IUCAT Catalog (Indiana University's online library catalog). While many pre-1976 documents are still not cataloged, libraries across the country are beginning to catalog their historical collections and make the catalog records available in WorldCat (OCLC). Indiana University has cataloged over 150,000 of its historical documents as they move them to a secure, archival facility.
Unfortunately, neither the United States government nor any libraries designated as depositories for government documents have a complete collection of government publications. However, with the advent of digital production of government information and the decline of print production, the Government Printing Office has turned its attention to the location, preservation, and digitization of the print heritage of our nation. The Government Printing Office and the nation's depository libraries have embarked on a plan to build a number of complete archives throughout the nation. Indiana University is planning to be one of these archives.
Finally, it is hoped that through an easier process of discovery, researchers will come to a better realization of the depth, breadth and meticulous research available from government publications.
Brief bibliography:
Andriot, John L. Guide to U.S. Government Publications. Gale Group, 1973- (Service Desk Z1223.Z7 A572) arranged by in Superintendent of Documents order, this guide provides a brief history of the agencies creation and a listing of current series issued by the agency. The "Agency Class Chronology" traces the history of all agencies current or defunct.
Boyd, Anne Morris. United States Government Publications. H. W. Wilson, 1949 (Government Publications Reference Z1223 .Z787 1950) provides an indepth review of government document series to the late 1940s.
Hardy, Gayle. Subject Guide to U.S. Government Reference Sources. Libraries Unlimited, 1996 (Government Publications Reference Z1223.Z7 R63 1996)
Herman, Edward. Locating United States Government Information: A Guide To Sources. W.S. Hein, 1997 (Reference ZA5055.U6 H47 1997) "the purpose of this book is to provide a practical how-to-guide for locating United States government publications. Emphasis is upon locating and using government information, rather than policy issues." (Preface)
Moorehead, Joe. Introduction to United States Government Information Sources. Libraries Unlimited, Inc. (Reference ZA5055.U6 M67 1999) provides an overview of the Government Printing Office and Federal Depository Library Program, general reference sources, and an overview of the publications, both print and electronic, of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government.
Schmeckebier, Laurence F. Government Publications and Their Use. Brookings Institution, 1969 (Stacks Z1223.Z7 S3 1969) provides a thorough analysis of historical government document series.
Zink, Steven D. "Clio's Blindspot: Historians' Underutilization of United States Government Publications in Historical Research." Government Publications Review 13, no. 1 (January/February 1986):67-78.
