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Government Documents
Locating Government Documents
at the Central Library
Q: What is a government document?
A: A government document is an item that is printed or produced by a governmental organization.
Onondaga County Public Library's Central Library participates in both the federal and state depository library programs. As a "selective" depository, OCPL receives
- approximately 30 percent of all federal documents released to the depository network, and
- copies of all state documents sent to the New York State Library in sufficient quantities to be distributed to the 20 paper depositories in the New York State Depository Program.
Because the Central Library is a selective depository, we will not have every document you ask for. However, we do have indices, bibliographies, catalogs and Internet access, to help you to identify and locate documents, and we will help you obtain documents not in the Central Library.
Finding Documents Housed in the Central Library
Documents received through the depository programs become part of the overall collection. Most are located on Level 3. Ask for assistance at the Level 3 Information Desk or by calling Telephone Reference at (315) 435-1900.
Books/monographs
These are cataloged and arranged by call number along with all other books. Use our catalog to search by title, author, keyword or subject.
CD-ROMs/ DVDs
These were added to our catalog starting in 2001 and are kept in compact shelving bay 3. Most are available for checkout. Ask a librarian to help you. Many CD-ROMs and DVDs are on a computer for use in the library, including databases containing tax forms, demographic information, job information, and more.
Magazines/serials
These are shelved alphabetically on the open shelves with other magazines, though some lesser-used titles are kept in compact shelving bay 2. Ask to see the serials list, or have a librarian check our serials database.
Maps
Most document maps are cataloged and shelved in one of two large map cases. A few smaller maps can be found on the Maps Index Table. Maps that are part of a brochure can be found in the Vertical File boxes.
Microfiche
The ERIC documents collection and many monographs and reports are available on microfiche, found in the microfiche cabinets arranged order by SuDoc# number (see explanation below). Those received before 1999 are arranged in Dewey Decimal order. Reader/printers are available to make paper copies. Most microfiche titles are included in OCPL's catalog.
Pamphlets
These are arranged by subject and can be found in the Vertical File boxes in the Ready Reference Area.
Census materials
The U.S. government takes a census of the population at 10-year intervals, dating back to 1790. In addition, several business censuses are conducted every five years. Most census publications are organized within these broad titles:
- Census of Population and Housing
- Census of Agriculture
- Census of Governments
- Economic Census, which includes: Census Of Manufacturers, Census of Retail Trade, Census of Wholesale Trade, Census of Service Industries, Census of Transportation, Census of Mineral Industries, Census of Construction, and Census of Outlying Areas
Census materials are included in OCPL's catalog and classified with other reference materials in compact shelving bay 3. In addition, the Local History/Genealogy department on Level 5 has very old census materials for greater Syracuse and Onondaga County.
For help in using the census, try the following titles located on the Government Documents Index Table: Census ... Basics, Census Briefs, and Census Catalog & Guide.
For the most current census information, it is essential to check the U.S. Census Bureau's Web site at http://www.census.gov/ . The actual data for the most current censuses and a variety of helpful publications are found here. Many previously published books, serials, maps and pamphlets relating to the census are now accessible only on the Internet.
The library receives some government documents in foreign languages, as well as in Braille and on videocassette. Check the catalog for the availability of alternative formats.
Finding Documents Not Housed in the Central Library Federal
Each government publication has three numbers. The following are examples of each
Item Number: 0917-B-02
SuDoc Number: T 63.113/2:990
GPO Stock Number: 008-020-011991
Anyone may purchase a government publication. Titles and prices can be found on the Internet at the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at http://bookstore.gpo.gov/ or by checking the Monthly Catalog located on the Government Documents Index Table.
New York State
Use the Checklist of Official Publications of the State of New York found on the Government Documents Index Table or on the Internet at http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/edocs/education/chcktext.htm to find documents for New York.
Other options include checking the New York State Library's catalog at http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/ or the New York State Archives at http://www.archives.nysed.gov/ . If the agency responsible for the publication is known, try going directly to its Web site, or try the List of New York State Agencies at
http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/ils/nyserver.html
Other local libraries
Other depository libraries exist at Syracuse University (Bird Library and Barclay Law Library), SUNY Cortland, SUNY Oswego, Colgate University and SUNY Utica/Rome. In addition, the Syracuse Supreme Court Law Library houses some of OCPL's documents relating to the courts, the Federal Communications Commission, and the National Labor Relations Board. The public can visit these libraries, use the materials and make photocopies. The catalogs of all these libraries can be searched on the Internet, as well. Ask a librarian for help in accessing them through a library computer or a remote location. Government materials not owned by OCPL can be obtained by requesting an Interlibrary Loan at the Central Library or any OCPL branch or member.
Last updated: June 3, 2009