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Government Publications and Library Materials
Information About Holdings
The holdings of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) are
comprised of documentary materials of all forms, including textual (paper)
records, photographs, motion pictures, cartographic and architectural records
and electronic records. In general, published materials are considered to
be 'non-record' material and NOT included among the records holdings of NARA.
NARA is a source of last resort for U.S. Government Publications
A record set of U.S. Government publications, and publications of individual
Federal agencies are considered to be a permanent record of the Federal
government and therefore among NARA's holdings. The record set of U.S. government
publications is serviced by NARA's
Center for Legislative
Archives, accessioned into
Publications of
the U.S. Government (Record Group 287).
In addition, U.S. Government publications may be found among NARA's textual
(paper) records holdings. Information available in the
Guide to Federal Records
in the National Archives of the United States. 3 vols. (1995), may
be used to identify publications series, by record group, among NARA's textual
(paper) records holdings. The Guide also includes a more detailed
description of the
Record Group
287 collection.
The NARA
Library also maintains a collection of U.S. Government Documents.
The Archival Research Catalog (ARC):
The ARC database
can be used to search by media type and by subject. Included in ARC are a number
of digital copies of Government Publications from Record Group 287.
Search Hint:
- Go to the ARC basic search screen.
- Enter in the keywords box the term {Government Printing Office} in curly braces.
- Select the filter box for descriptions of Archival Materials linked to digital copies.
- Press the "Go" button.
Search ARC
How
to Obtain U.S. Government Publications
For information about ordering copies of U.S. Government Publications in
print, contact the Government Printing Office.
Researchers interested in obtaining copies of or reviewing government
publications should first contact a local library that is part of
the Federal Depository
Library Program. NARA is a source of last resort for U.S. Government
Publications
Researchers specifically interested in patent and trademark materials should
first contact a local library that is part of
the Patent
and Trademark Depository Library Program.
A number of U.S. Government Publications are also made available on-line
by individual federal agencies of creation as well as through the following
government-wide services:
The
NARA Library and book collections in the Presidential Libraries
The NARA
Library provides access to information on American history and government,
archival administration, information management, and government publications
to NARA staff, archives and records management professionals, and the general
public. Some of the services available from the NARA Library include:
NARA's Presidential
Libraries also maintain collections of books as library materials for
the convenience of staff and researchers. These collections focus on particular
time periods or particular individuals, reflective of the holdings of the
individual libraries.
Other Resources
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Most of NARA's finding aids are not yet online
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Send us your
request.
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