Government Documents Collection
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries are Nebraska’s only regional depository.
- We have received all physical depository materials provided by the Federal Government from 1907 through February 2024.
- We hold paper and microform federal publication titles with approximately 926,000 print volumes available for all users.
- Our collection includes many documents prior to 1907 as well.
What is a government document?
A U.S. government document may be broadly defined as any publication (in print, on microfiche, or electronic) issued at government expense or published under the authority of a governmental body. Examples are hearings, reports, statutes, treaties, periodicals (example: Monthly Labor Review) and statistics (e.g., U.S. Census).
This includes, but is not limited to:
- Official records of the actions or deliberations of government (such as the Congressional Record).
- Informational publications (like the many statistical compilations of the Bureau of the Census).
- Reports of research done under government contract.
The Federal government documents collection includes print books and pamphlets, maps, CD-ROMs, DVDs, microfilm and microfiche, and online resources.
The United States Government has provided open access to publications of its executive departments and Congress since 1790. The agency supervising much of this system is the Government Publishing Office (GPO) and its predecessor agencies. Information products from the federal government are disseminated to depository libraries nationwide that, in turn, ensure the American public has free access to the materials, both in print and online.
Congressionally Designated Depository
This library is a Congressionally designated depository for U.S. Government documents. Public access to Government documents is guaranteed by public law (Title 44 U.S.C.).
Need Help?
Government information can be difficult to navigate, please contact the Government Documents staff if you need assistance in locating, retrieving, or accessing government information in our collections.
Contact Government Documents
Assistance is available during Libraries open hours.
Linda Novotny, Documents Specialist
Ana Gomez, Documents Associate
Chat with us through ASKus
The Libguides linked below will help you find government information, both in our collections and available electronically.
Resources Available at UNL Libraries Public Resources Information for Selective Libraries
Discovery of Materials in the Libraries Catalog
Since 1994, all materials obtained from the depository or other outside sources are included in the Libraries catalog.
Materials in the catalog provide easy access and can be searched by title, keyword and subject.
- Many of the materials prior to 1994 may not yet be cataloged or available electronically.
- Many records for historical material are retroactively made available in the catalog each month.
- Print government documents are found throughout UNL’s library collections, as well as our off-site storage facilities.
- Specialized collections of maps and patents are also available.
Print and Electronic Copies
The GPO and the Federal Depository Library Program have discontinued distribution of print copies of U.S. Documents except for a few especially important titles. This change acknowledges the importance of electronic distribution and access. Libraries anticipates that U S. Documents will remain accessible through catalog records which link to electronic copies. As of this writing, over 600 new records are being added to the catalog each month.