Monmouth College Hewes Library government documents

Finding Government Information at Hewes Library

There are approximately 1,350 Federal Depository Libraries throughout the United States and its territories, at least one in almost every Congressional District. Hewes Library at Monmouth College serves the 17th Congressional District of Illinois. We provide free public access to a wide variety of Federal government information resources in both print and electronic formats, and have expert staff available to assist users. Monmouth College was designated a depository in 1860 and we currently select roughly 19.12% of all documents published by the Government Printing Office (GPO). Please feel free to visit the Library or contact a librarian with any questions regarding government documents: (309) 457-2301.

Where to find government publications in Hewes Library

  • Print items are located on the Lower Level, on the shelving with the tan endpanels.
  • CD-ROM items are located on the Lower Level, at the end of the print government publications. Ask a librarian for assistance in using CD-ROMs.
  • Microfiche items are located in the Microforms Area on the Main Level, near the Reference Desk. Two reader-printers are available, which print for ten cents per page.
  • Online documents may be accessed from any of the Library's computing facilities, or for that matter, from any internet-accessible computer.

Accessing government publications in print

At Hewes Library

  • Items published before 1994 can best be found with our print shelflist, located in the wooden card catalog on the Lower Level, near the end of the Government Documents Collection.
  • Items published since 1994 can best be found with the Hewes Library Catalog.

All government publications

  • Items published before 1976 can best be found with a catalog or index of government publications. Hewes Library has several such items, each with its oen specialty. Please ask a librarian for assistance in locating and using any of the following:
    • Monthly catalog of U.S. public documents (1923 - 1975) SuDoc: GP 3.8
    • Documents catalog (1774 - 1940) SuDoc: GP 3.6
    • Documents index (1895 - 1980) SuDoc: GP 3.7/2
    • Federal register (most recent six months) RDY REF
    • Congressional record (most recent six months) RDY REF
  • Items published since 1976 can best be found with the online database GPO Monthly Catalog.

Government Information Online

Today, most government bodies produce documents electronically and are available to the general public for free online. Below is a finding aid to government bodies and agencies as well as a list of popularly used government resources. If you need more information, please contact a librarian at (309) 457-2301.

Federal Government

The Federal Government is comprised of three separate branches: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial. Legislative branch drafts the law, the executive branch carries it out, and the judicial branch reviews it. Below you will find links to the most requested offices and agencies.

Executive Branch

Members of the Executive Branch include the President, Vice President, Department Heads (cabinet members) and heads of independent agencies. Of the three branches, they are responsible for the oversight of laws and regulations. For the Executive Departments, we have included links to popular offices or agencies under each department.

Executive Office of the President

Executive Departments

Legislative Branch

The Legislative Branch is responsible for making the laws of the country. It includes Congress's two branches, the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, as well as the agencies that have been created to support it.

Judicial Branch

The Judicial Branch of the government interprets law that has been written by Congress and put into force by the Executive Branch. This branch includes the Supreme Court, U.S. District Courts, as well as U.S. Courts of Appeals.

State & Local Government

Below you will find information relating to the Government of the State of Illinois. Hewes Library does collect the laws of the State as well as the House and Senate Journals for the Illinois General Assembly.

Popular Government Resources

The following is a list of resources from the U.S. Federal Government. Frequently used publications and web portals are also included.
  • Congressional Record - The Congressional Record is published daily and contains the official debates, proceedings, and happenings of the United States Congress.
  • Federal Register - The Federal Register is also published daily. It contains the rules, proposed rules, and notices of Federal agencies and organizations, executive orders and other documents produced from the Office of the President.
  • U.S. Statutes at Large - Statutes at Large are the permanent laws of the United States as enacted by each session of Congress.
  • United States Code - The United States Code is the codification of the permanent laws of the United States by subject matter.
  • Statistical Abstract - The Statistical Abstract is a compendia of statistics from Federal Government Agencies compiled by the U.S. Census.
  • THOMAS - THOMAS is the legislative resources for members of Congress. Full text bills, committee hearings, and treaties are available by Congress.

Circulation policies

Only those government publications in paper format may be checked out from Hewes Library, under the following conditions:

  • Anyone wishing to check out any item from Hewes Library must provide either a valid Monmouth College ID card or (if a borrower from the public) their Hewes Library card. Members of the public wishing to obtain a Hewes Library card should visit the Circulation Desk or call (309) 457-2190.
  • Government publications which are fragile, valuable or currently being used in class assignments are subject to non-circulating status, but may be used in the Library.

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