Government Documents

About the Documents Collection

Electronic Resources

United States Documents

Overview

The University Libraries have been a selective depository for United States documents since 1907, and we hold United States federal documents dating back to the 18th century. More than 800,000 federal documents are housed:

  • in the documents collection on level 4 of Mullins Library (see library map)
  • in the documents collections in the Young Law Library (see campus map)
  • in the Main collection on levels 1, 3, and 4 under various Library of Congress call numbers
  • on microfiche, CD-ROM, and other special formats in the documents collection
  • on the Internet

Finding Documents

From 1976 - present most United States documents can be found in the Library Catalog

Earlier documents may also be found in the catalog or by using print or online indexes such as ProQuest Congressional. However, many pre-1976 documents can only be located by consulting reference librarians at the desk on the Lobby Level or documents staff.

Documents in the USDOC collection are arranged according to the Superintendent of Documents classification numbering system (SuDoc). More about the Superintendent of Documents System.

The U.S. Congressional Serial Set Online offers full text of reports and documents from 1789 - 1920s. This site also links to numerous sources for recent documents freely available on the Internet.

Borrowing Documents

Most materials (except those labeled GOVREF), including maps, may be checked out. To check out documents, take them to the main circulation desk on the Lobby level.

Depository Library Program

The University Libraries participate in the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP), Designated a selective depository, the Libraries select 80 percent of the titles offered through the U.S. Government Printing Office. Titles are distributed in paper, microfiche, or electronic (Internet; CD-ROM; DVD) formats

Arkansas Documents

The University Libraries have been a depository for Arkansas state publications since 1993. These materials do not circulate but can be found using the library catalog; they are housed in the documents collection on level 4.

Many older Arkansas documents are housed in Special Collections; most are listed in the library catalog.