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Government Documents & Law Information


WHERE ARE THE GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS LOCATED?

US and Kentucky documents are located on the ground floor of Helm Library.


WHAT ARE YOUR HOURS?

The documents collections are accessible all hours the library is open. See the Hours posted at the Libraries' Home Page
 


 

           

HOW ARE THE DOCUMENTS ARRANGED?

The documents received from US government agencies are shelved according to the Superintendent of Documents Classification System (SuDoc). This alpha-numeric system places materials by issuing agency. For example, all the documents with call numbers beginning with A originated in the Department of Agriculture, all documents with call numbers beginning with D originated in the Department of Defense.

Kentucky documents are being cataloged onto TOPCAT 2000.

 


CAN I FIND DOCUMENTS BY USING TOPCAT 2000, THE ONLINE CATALOG?

At present only the Kentucky documents are included in TOPCAT 2000.

 


WHERE SHOULD I BEGIN MY SEARCH IF DOCUMENTS AREN'T IN TOPCAT 2000?

  • MarciveWeb DOCS -- Search for federal documents from July 1976 to present. Access to this database is restricted by IP address via Western's campuswide information system, WKUNet Dialup remote access is not available.

  • Government Periodicals Universe -- Search government periodical literature from 1987 to present.

  • FirstGov.gov -- Your first click to federal government information.

 

In addition to these major indexes, ask in the Reference Center about other subject-specific government information indexes or web sites.

 


CAN I CHECK OUT GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS?

YES, most documents may be checked out for four weeks. Ask for assistance with checking out documents in the documents processing office, Rooms 1, 2, or 4, on the ground floor of Helm Library.

 


WHERE DO I GO FOR HELP?

Ask for assistance at the desk in the Reference Center, first floor of Helm Library or from the Government Documents Staff. You can also make an appointment with the Government Information & Law Coordinator for research assistance.

 


CAN I MAKE COPIES OF MICROFICHE?

Yes, the equipment to make microfiche copies is in the microforms area on the second floor of Helm Library.

WHERE IS THE CLOSEST PHOTOCOPIER?

The nearest photocopier is in the Law Library and copies are five cents each. Other copiers are available in the Helm-Cravens Library complex that cost five cents per page. Materials may be taken from the area to be copied.
 

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