Government Resources in the James B. Duke Library

Furman University participates in the Federal Depository Library Program, allowing us to maintain a collection of thousands of books, pamphlets, maps and journals produced by the government. Every item is listed in the library catalog and can be searched by title, author (agency that created it), subject, or keyword. Increasingly, the new items are coming as electronic versions. We maintain links to electronic/online government information through our library catalog.

Visiting

The collection is open to all citizens of  South Carolina's  4th Congressional District, as well as all members of the Furman community. There is no printing for guests, so bring a portable memory device. 
The print government documents are located on the ground floor of the James B. Duke library in compact shelving. Microforms are in black cabinets on the main floor, near the periodicals. Many sources exist only on the internet and can be found by searching the library catalog or by using the Government Resources on the web, linked below. Please ask us to help you find the print, fiche  and online items you need.

Strategies for Finding Government Information

NATIONAL LEGISLATION

Search broad subject areas and issues in CQ Researcher. Check the "Outlook" section for pending legislation.

Search CQ Weekly by keyword or bill number to read about current legislation before Congress. Remember if an introduced bill does not become law, it may be introduced again in a new session of Congress but it will have a new number. Use keywords and bill name to trace legislation from one session of Congress to another.

Search Congress.gov by bill number or popular name of a bill for up-to-the minute status of legislation. Once legislation is passed, it becomes law and is assigned a Public Law number. Thomas will keep track of all number changes.

Use US Congressional Serial Set Digital Collection  to find historical bills and legislative histories.

Lexis-Nexis is a source for newspaper coverage of legislation and the surrounding issues.

STATE LEGISLATION

Search Newspaper Source Plus or Lexis-Nexis  to see current issues that face that state (try searching legislation AND state name). Then go to the state legislation page to get latest news on where the legislation stands.

Federal Government Resources on the Web

Databases for Government Information

Don't Forget About Google

Federal, state, local government and military sites can be found by conducting a Google search using keywords.  In addition, the full-text of many documents can be found on Google.
Including site:.gov in your Google Advanced search will limit results to federal government sites but will exclude state and local government sites.