Government Information And You

Government Information and You

Reference Intern Training

Lynda M. Kellam

Steps to finding a government document:

1. If a student comes up to you with a title and/or SUDOC #, always re-check it in the catalog.

2. If they have a SUDOC # and no title, use the Call # Search.

3. If you still can’t find it, try to replicate their search to re-find it.

Steps to finding a government document:4. Look at the catalog record.

Is the item available online? Is it on microfiche or microform? Is it a NC document or a US document? Note the size of the item (in the Description section). And make sure you write down the number correctly!

5. If you still can’t find it ... If you can’t find an item that is supposed to be in the

gov doc stacks, check the microfiche (and vice versa). If it’s a large item, check the oversize section. If all fails, check the shelflist to see clues to its location

(for the truly ambitious). And if you’re still stumped, ask Susan or Lynda for help!

Example 1:

Example 1:

Example 2:

Example 3:

Example 4:

Example 4:

Government Information Brainstorming

Levels of Government Local State Federal International Organizations aka

Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs) Formed by governments (e.g., the United Nations)

and have legal personality by virtue of a treaty Can be universal (UN), regional (EU), or

subregional (Benelux) Non-governmental Organizations

Can be international, national, or local

Government Information Pop Quiz

Where can I find

information about my

polling place?

I need information on

malaria in Ghana.

I’m looking for statistics on cancer in the United States.

How many students at

UNCG live on-campus?

I’m trying to find

demographic info on the US federal prison population.

I’m working on a paper for my international

relations class, and I need some

introductory info on U.S. foreign relations

with India.

I’m in a conflict resolution class

and I need to find reports on Africa and stability of

its regions.

I’m trying to find info on wetlands in North Carolina.

Do you know where I could

start?