University of Nebraska Kearney

Government Documents Department

Why does the Library have Government Documents?

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• There are two collections:
• federal government documents 
• Nebraska state government documents

• The Library was designated a Federal Government Documents Depository Library in 1962.  
• Libraries must be appointed by a member of Congress to be a depository. 
• Each Representative or Senator may designate two depository libraries in his/her district or state
  
   
• C. T. Ryan Library is one of two federal depository libraries in Nebraska's 3rd Congressional District, roughly two-thirds of the geographical area of Nebraska.
  
   
• The other federal depository library in the 3rd Congressional District is in Scottsbluff, approximately 300 miles west of Kearney. 
  • Other federal depositories in Nebraska are located in Lincoln, 120 miles east of Kearney, or east of Lincoln.
    
     
   
• The University of Nebraska - Lincoln's Love Library is the regional federal depository for Nebraska.  

• A selective depository: 
  • The Library selects the series of government documents it wishes to receive.
  • Currently select 54% of the publications available from the Government Printing Office which is in charge of the depository library program.
    
     
   
• The Library receives government documents from almost every federal agency.
  
  • Examples: Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, the Interior, State, and Treasury; also Congress, the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian Institution, and many sub-agencies of these and other government agencies.
    
     
   
• Types of publications:
  
  • One-time monographic publications, annual reports, periodicals, maps, posters, studies, research reports, statistical compilations, census data, regulations, laws, treaties, compact discs, and DVD's.
  • New tangible government documents are included in the Library's online catalog.
  • Many publications are now issued only in electronic form and are linked in the Library's online catalog.
   

• Designated Nebraska State Documents Depository Library in 1978.
   
  • Depository for state documents produced by Nebraska state agencies.
  • Program coordinated by the Nebraska Library Commission in Lincoln.
  • Most newer Nebraska documents are on microfiche.
  • Selected documents and periodicals are still received in paper.
  • Many Nebraska agencies have publications on the Internet also.
  • Program converted to electronic-only in spring, 2005.  Microfiche program ceased. 
  • Links to electronic titles are being added to the Library's online catalog.
   

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