Government Documents

Congress established the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) in 1813 to ensure that the American public has free access to information published by the U. S. government. This program safeguards one of our nation’s strongest traditions: the public’s right to know. The FDLP identifies, catalogs and ensures permanent access to government publications through Federal Depository Libraries. Types of materials include print, microfiche, maps, posters, CD-ROM and online access. The materials made available through the Depository program are governed by the U. S. Code, Title 44, which states: “Government publications, except those determined by their issuing components to be required for official use only or for strictly administrative or operational purposes which have no public interest or educational value and publications classified for reasons of national security, shall be made available to depository libraries through the facilities of the Superintendent of Documents for public information”.

Along with the stations in the public computer lab, a dedicated computer terminal is available for use to patrons of any age who need additional time or help when accessing government documents.

The participation of the Erie County Public Library in the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) began in March 1897 through the sponsorship of Francis A. Crandall, the first Superintendent of Documents and former editor of Erie’s newspapers. At this time Erie’s public library building was still in the planning stages, but space had been set aside to store the government publications and other books until the building was completed. Today, the Erie County Public Library acquires more than 15% of the U. S. government publications made available through the FDLP. Government publications can be located using the Library Catalog.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

GENERAL

*BASIC COLLECTION: FDLP* (https://www.fdlp.gov/requirements-guidance-2/collections-and-databases/1442-basic-collection)
These titles are vital sources of information that support the public’s right to know about the workings and essential activities of the Federal Government.
BROWSE GOVERNMENT RESOURCES (http://www.loc.gov/rr/news/extgovd.html)
Link for the Library of Congress to a wide variety of government information resources.
FDLP ELECTRONIC COLLECTION (https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/)
Comprehensive digital library of U.S. government information drawn from a wide variety of sources.
FEDERAL CITIZEN INFORMATION CENTER (https://pueblo.gpo.gov/Publications/PuebloPubs.php)
Refers you to the resources that can help answer some of the most frequently asked questions handled by FIC.
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS (https://www.loc.gov)
CATALOG OF US GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS (https://catalog.gpo.gov)
Finding tool for federal publications; provides direct links to those available online.
CONSUMER.GOV (https://www.consumer.gov)
Resource for consumer information from the federal government.
GOVSPOT (http://www.govspot.com)
Non-partisan government information portal.

EXECUTIVE

EXECUTIVE FEDERAL BUDGET AND ECONOMIC REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT (https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/browse/collectionGPO.action?collectionCode=BUDGET)
INAUGURAL ADDRESSES OF THE PRESIDENTS (https://www.bartleby.com/124)
WHITE HOUSE (https://www.whitehouse.gov) Official presidential site – includes press releases, speeches.

LEGISLATIVE

CONGRESS.ORG (http://www.congress.org)
Congressional directory, status of legislation, voting records.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES (https://www.house.gov)
Member and committee directories, links to individual pages.
LEGISLATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL DIRECTORY OF THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS
(http://bioguide.congress.gov)
Biographies of individuals who have served in Congress from 1774 through the present. Search by name, position or state.
GOVERNMENT RESOURCES (https://www.congress.gov/help/)
Links to Congressional information from official and non-official sources.
PROJECT VOTE-SMART (https://votesmart.org/)
Includes voting records, issues information, biographies of current members.
SENATE (https://www.senate.gov)
Directory of senators with links to home pages. Includes biographies and committee assignments.
LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET (https://www.congress.gov/)
Full text of current House and Senate bills, Congressional Record, background information on Congress.

JUDICIAL

FEDERAL JUDICIARY HOMEPAGE (http://www.uscourts.gov)
SUPREME COURT RULES (https://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/supct)
U.S. SUPREME COURT OPINIONS (https://www.law.cornell.edu/supremecourt/text/home)
Includes court decisions, Supreme Court News.
STATE GOVERNMENT
COMMONWEALTH LIBRARIES (http://www.statelibrary.state.pa.us)
From the Pennsylvania Department of Education – includes links to Pennsylvania libraries on the web and libraries serving Pennsylvania government. Includes links to the State Library Catalog and history of the library.
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA (https://www.pa.gov/)
The state’s official web site including links to the Pennsylvania Code, Pennsylvania Bulletin, Pennsylvania Constitution.
PENNSYLVANIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY (http://www.legis.state.pa.us)
Information about House and Senate bills and calendars.
PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES (http://www.house.state.pa.us)
PENNSYLVANIA STATE DATA CENTER (https://pasdc.hbg.psu.edu/Default.aspx)
Official source of demographic and economic data for Pennsylvania.
SENATE OF PENNSYLVANIA (http://www.pasen.gov)
PENNSYLVANIA MANUAL (http://www.dgs.state.pa.us/pamanual)