U. S. Government Documents

The U.S. Government Documents collection is located on the lower level of the library.

The Vande Bogart Library has been a selective U.S. Government Depository since 1980, which means that we receive a percentage of the large number of publications that are issued. With the exception of the few items designated "reference", U.S. Government Documents may be checked out at the Circulation Desk. The MSU-Northern Library Catalog lists the documents owned by this library and provides access to electronic versions of many governmental publications..

FORMATS

U.S. Government publications are printed in a variety of formats (paper, microfiche, and electronic). A microfiche reader is located in the documents area by the microfiche cabinets. A microfiche reader/printer is available near the Circulation Desk on the library's upper level. Portable readers are also available for checkout at the Circulation Desk. Documents produced on CD and DVD format may be checked out.

INDEXES

The best indexes for monographic U.S. Government publications are the Catalog of U.S. Government Publications or GPO Catalog of Publications which can be searched via the web. 

The best way to identify articles published in government journals is to consult the electronic journal indexes. The Vande Bogart Library Periodical Listing lists journals held by the Vande Bogart Library.

CLASSIFICATION

U.S. Government Documents are classified by SuDoc (Superintendent of Documents) numbers. These numbers consist of capital letter(s) representing the government department or agency, followed by a number(s) representing the subagency; a category number; colon; and numbers indicating a distinct publication.