How to Find Government Information

The University of Minnesota Libraries provides access to government information both online and within its libraries' collections across campus. Besides being a full (regional) United States government depository, the Libraries also receive documents from Canada, the European Union, and the United Nations, as well as publications from other countries and international organizations. The Government Publications collection also contains state documents.

• MNCAT Many of these online and print documents are cataloged and findable through the Libraries online catalog. Use a Keyword Search and use "Refine Your Results" on the left to limit to Authors/Creators that are government agencies.
• Monthly Catalog of U.S. Government Publications (1895-1976) Find call number information for older federal government publications which may not yet be cataloged.
• What Shelf is My Book On? Use the call number and location information found in the above databases to find the item in the Libraries.
• SuDoc Tutorial NEW! A general explanation of the government documents call number system. Brief quiz and shelving exercises at the end.
• The University Libraries also subscribes to many search tools that provide access to downloadable full text and unique resources related to government information. Choose one of the government entities in the left navigation bar to see a list of these resources.

Featured Research Guides

• Federal Scientific Agency Publications on Microform in Walter Library
  This set of guides will help you find scientific agency publications - primarily reports of contractors to the Department of Energy - that aren't in MNCAT, aren't online and are kept in Walter Library.