What is a Government document?
According to the Federal Library Depository Act of 1962, a government document is "informational matter which is published as an individual document at government expense, or as required by law." Government information is created or compiled by employees of a government agency or at government expense or required by law.
Government documents can be books, pamphlets, periodicals, maps, microfiche, CD-ROMs, DVDs, databases, electronic bulletin boards, audiovisual materials, and internet/world wide web electronic material. To qualify as an official government document, it must meet the above definition. Generally, if a government publication is available on the web, it needs the extension ".gov" or ".mil" . The GPO will soon be able certify authentication of electronic Government publications with an integrity mark.
Can Anyone Use Government Documents
Yes. Meriam Library is a depository library for U.S. and State of California documents. This means any member of the general public can use Government information products in the library without impediments.
Do you receive copies of all government documents?
No. Currently we are receiving 29% of new federal documents and most California Documents issued. We also add titles to Meriam Library Catalog that are of special interest to our community and North Eastern California. With the trend to publish government documents only on the internet, we are receiving less paper copies of documents.
Do you have Butte county and local city documents?
Yes. Butte County and Chico (and other local cities') documents are held in Special Collections. They are located on the 3rd floor Meriam Library (phone 530-898-6342). Search the Meriam Library Catalog for individual titles.
Where are Government Documents located in Meriam Library?
Stacks - paper / bound (U.S. and cal docs) -> 4th floor
see map: Meriam Library 4th floor
Microfiche, microfilm, CD-ROMs & DVDs (U.S. and cal docs) -> 2nd floor Media & Microform room
see map: Meriam Library 2nd floor
Reference Materials (U.S. and cal docs) -> 2nd floor reference collection
see map: Meriam Library 2nd floor
I have the SuDoc number, but I can't find the document in the stacks!
Make sure you wrote the call number down correctly. Then check the sorting area -- located at the end of cal docs and the beginning of U.S docs (4th floor). You can ask one of the students shelving in the doc stacks or ask in the Curriculum Office (MLIB 406). If you still can't find it, go to the 2nd floor, Buildling Management Dept. and give them the call number to search.
What if Meriam Library does not own the government document I'm looking for?
If you are a currently enrolled CSU,Chico student, faculty or staff, go to Meriam Library - Interlibrary Loan to request the missing document. If you are a community member, you can request the document through the Butte County Library system or your local Library.
Can I check out government documents?
Most documents can be checked out for 3 weeks from the 1st
floor Circulation counter. Reference Books and docs stamped "For
Library Use Only" do not circulate.
Currently, community patrons may check out government documents
(only) with a California driver's license or DMV identity card
and social security number. See Meriam
Library - Circulation Department for more information
Where is the best place to start looking for a government document?
Start here for U.S. Government Documents:
- Meriam Library Catalog : most but not all U.S. government documents held at CSU,Chico are cataloged here.
- Melvyl : Most campuses in the University of California Library system use SuDoc call numbers.
- Pharos : search the California State University Library Catalog
- Catalog of U.S. Government Publications : [formerly Monthly Catalog] Coverage begins July 1976 - current.
Start here for California Documents:
- Meriam Library Catalog : most but not all California documents held at CSU,Chico are cataloged.
- Melvyl : limit search to cal docs by selecting "CA State Library" California State Library uses the same call numbers as Meriam Library.
- California State Library Catalog
see also:
How to Search for Government Documents [pdf]
see also: Meriam Library --
Search for Gov. Docs. Online
Where do I go for help finding government documents?
Call Gloria Hylton's office at 530-898-6802 or email ghylton@csuchico.edu.
Or you can ask for assistance at the 2nd floor reference desk -- see Library Hours for available times.
Or use the Ask a Librarian Email service
How do I cite government documents in my research paper?
see: Meriam Library - Citing Government Documents
How do I find the Federal School Code for CSU,Chico?
One of the items required in filling out the FAFSA (Free Application For Federal Student Aid) is Federal School Code number for an individual college or university. Use The Federal School Code Search to find this six digit number. For example, CSU,Chico is 001146. And Butte College is 006972.
How do I find statistical information?
see: Meriam Library -- Statistics on the Web
see: Meriam Library -- California Statistics on the Web
How do I find my Congressman / Representatives?
For the Chico area:
Congress:
U.S. Senate : Diane Feinsterin & Barbara Boxer
House of Representatives : Wally Herger
State of California:
State Senate : District 4 : Sam Aanestad
State Assembly : District 2 : Doug LaMalfa
State Assembly : District 3 : Richard Keene
see also : (http://congress.org/)
Where can I get tax forms?
Meriam Library does not have paper copies of tax forms to hand out.
Federal tax forms are available from the Internal Revenue Service
California tax forms are available from the Franchise Tax Board
Reproducible Federal tax forms are available in Meriam Library (and previous years) : doc T 22.57:
Reproducible California tax forms are available in Meriam Library (and previous years): cal doc F800 F6
see also: Meriam Library --
Tax Forms & Information: Federal & State
Where can I get a copy of a bill?
For U.S. Bills:
Thomas (full text : 1989 - current) (bill summary & status : 1973 - current)
GPO Access : Congressional Bill Search (1993 - current)
Lexis / Nexis Congressional (CSU Chico only) (1989 - current)
see also : Meriam Library - U.S. Bills
For older U.S. Bills, Meriam Library has Digest of Public General Bills and Resolutions : doc LC 14.6:(Congress) - (Session) 1954 - 1990 [Summary of public bills and resolutions for each legislative session]
For California Bills:
California Legislative Information : Bill Search [1993 - current]
California's Legislative Portal : Bill Search [1993 - current]
see also : Meriam Library - California Bill Information
Meriam Library has California Bills on microfiche : 1961 - 2004
to obtain copies of older California Bills contact California State Archives : Legislative Resources
Does Meriam Library have United Nations docs?
Meriam Library does not have a separate collection for United Nations documents. Titles that we own will be listed in the Meriam Library Catalog and held in the 3rd floor Main Collection.
see : Meriam Library - United Nations
Other Gov Doc FAQs --
Frequently Asked Government Document Questions (Orange County Public Law Library)
Government Documents - Frequently Asked Questions (Tulsa City - County Library)
Government Information Connection - Frequently Asked Questions (University of North Texas Libraries)
U. S. Government Information : Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) (University of Delaware Library)
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