What’s New in Government Docs?

Did you know that Portland Public Library has been a part of the Federal Depository Library Program since 1884?

The Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) was established, in 1813 by Congress, to ensure that the American public has access to its Government’s information. Depository libraries safeguard the public’s right to know by collecting, organizing, maintaining, preserving, and assisting users with information from the Federal Government.  Portland Public Library provides local, no-fee access to Government information in an impartial environment.

“As institutions committed to equity of access and dedicated to free and unrestricted public use, the nation’s nearly 1,250 depository libraries serve as one of the vital links between “We the people” and our Government. Anyone can visit Federal depository libraries and use the Federal depository collections which are filled with information on careers, business opportunities, consumer information, health and nutrition, legal and regulatory information, demographics, and numerous other subjects.”  (Source: FDLP Desktop)

Being a FDLP library means that librarians at PPL are happy to help you locate government publications! A “government publication” is  an “informational matter which is published as an individual document at Government expense, or as required by law” (44 U.S.C. 1901). Each month we receive numerous publications, both in print and electronically, from the Government Printing Office.  Print items our housed at the Main Library on Congress St. and electronic items are available through PPL’s catalog.

Here is a sample of  electronic documents received recently at PPL; or you may view the full list of August Government Documents:

• Celebrating America’s Freedoms: The Origins of Veteran’s Day.
• Soldiers The Official U.S. Army Magazine
• Funding Your Education from the U.S. Department of Education
• National Endowment for the Humanities Annual Report 
• Timber Management Field Book  from the U.S. Department of Agriculture
• Promising practices to improve community performance and sustainability : tips for better CARE from the Environmental Protection Agency
• Just in time for hunting season,  Guidelines for Chilling, Freezing, Shipping and Packaging Meat Carcasses and Meat Byproducts from the U.S. Department of Agriculture
• John F. Kennedy Center Reauthorization Act of 2012
• How to Buy Food: Lesson Aids for Teachers 
• Cancer Fact Sheets from the National Cancer Institute
• Life expectancy, free of chronic condition-induced activity limitations among white and black Americans, 2000-2006 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
• Securing the nation’s ports and maritime border  : a review of the Coast Guard’s post-9/11 homeland security missions : hearing before the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security of the Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, One Hundred Twelfth Congress, first session, June 14, 2011. (microfilm at the Main Library)

So, as you can see the government prints a wide variety of information. Check in next month to see what’s new!

For more information and government links, please visit PPL’s E-Government Page or contact a reference librarian.

If you find yourself at the Main Library on Congress St. check out the Government Docs book display on the Lower Level featuring some of the interesting documents PPL has received through the years!