Government Information Department

The Government Information Department

• Background Information
• Collections
• Services
• Policies
• Getting Started With Government Documents
• Contact Information & Hours

	The Edwin J. Foscue Map Library
	World War II, 1939 - 1945: Digital Resources From The Library Collections At Southern Methodist University
	Online Exhibits

Southern Methodist University Central University Libraries Government Information And Map Resources Department Getting Started With Government Documents

Final Points to Consider

• Government documents are not difficult to use because the federal government does not want you to have access to them -- GPO sees its mission as critical to the sustaining of the American democratic tradition -- that said, a majority of government documents are primary sources, making them more challenging to analyze
• Both CUL Reference and the Government Information Resources staff are there to assist you -- don't be afraid to ask questions
• Government documents are only one component in a grander public information design -- there is always more to learn on this subject see the American Library Association's Government Documents Roundtable website (http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/GODORT/) for more information
• Clearly, as a government agency, GPO is not immune from government laws, regulations, policies, and administrative oversight -- post-9/11, government documents, if anything, have become more susceptible to larger social, political and economic forces -- government documents are both our collective heritage and our collective responsibility as American citizens

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Please direct questions or comments to the Librarian, Government Information And Map Resources, 214-768-2331. Updated March 2006.