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The CCSU Library's document collection is a large, often under used,
source of information. Actually, the term
"document" is now a somewhat archaic and misleading term. Instead of
musty old scrolls, government information can
be found in a variety of formats- paper, microfiche, CD-ROM, and
increasingly, online via the Internet.
The Concept of "Depository" Libraries
Burritt Library is one of 1400 libraries that carry the
designation of "depository" for publications of the United States
Government. As is the case for most depositories, Burritt is selective.
That is, it receives some, but not all, of the various
publications distributed from Washington via the Government Printing
Office. The Library's selection profile is
generally designed to meet the University's curricular needs. The
current profile designates that the Library receives
approximately 25% of all U.S. government publications. The
Connecticut State Library (in Hartford) serves as this
area's complete (100%) depository.
Burritt Library's current government documents collection holds the
following items: 99,000 paper documents, 47,000
pieces of microfiche, 156 CD-ROMs, and 21,000 maps. There is also access
to a variety of federal government
databases through the Internet.
Wide Variety of Information Available through the
Government
The kind of information available here runs the gamut from
scholarly monographs to one page fact sheets. One can find
detailed histories of various Indian tribes, planetary photographs from
NASA, congressional hearings on many topics,
and statistics from virtually every branch of government. Internet
resources are ever expanding. Full text retrieval of the
Congressional Record, Federal Register, and Supreme Court
Decisions is now possible. One can access a large
number of World Wide Web homepages for nearly every
branch or agency of the federal government. (See last page for
information on Gov Docs via the WWW workshop.)
Subject access to these documents is accomplished through the Monthly
Catalog of U.S. Government Publications. This
can be used in paper format or on a CD-ROM via the Library's Local Area
Network (3rd floor, Library). Search by
author, agency, subject, title, or key word. There are several other
specialized indices covering congressional
publications, statistical sources, and government periodicals.
Sometimes considered "difficult to find", accessing government
publications is quite easy. Although these publications
do have a unique classification and numbering system, they are
relatively simple to locate given the quality of the indices
and databases. "Gov Docs" are often overlooked by students and
researchers, although they may be using them without
realizing the source. Remember, the U.S. government is the largest
publisher in the world; more often than not there is
something to fit most researchers' needs.
Learn more about government information. Call Rick Churchill 832-
2066. Email Rick at: churchill@csusys.ctstateu.edu.
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Finding Your Way Around Washington: Government
Information in the Burritt Library 