Combined Arms Research Library

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT: A Pathfinder

This guide will introduce some of the resources available in the Combined Arms Research Library on the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. The various types of library materials useful in research are described along with some examples of each. This guide is not a comprehensive listing of sources, but is intended to be a starting point from which students can begin their research according to their specific needs.

HANDBOOK

Gives history, mission and address information for government branches and agencies

U.S. Government Manual (REF 353 U568)

DIRECTORIES

Congressional Yellow Book (REF 328.730025 C7492)
Federal Yellow Book (REF 353.00025 F2933)
Federal Regulatory Directory (REF 353.00025 F293)

LAWS AND BASIC DOCUMENTS

Constitution of the United States of America (REF 342.73023 C758)
U.S. Code Annotated (REFERENCE)
U.S. Code Congressional and Administrative News (REF 348.7323 U57)

ENCYCLOPEDIAS

General reference sources on the branches of government

Congressional Quarterly's Guide to Congress (REF 328.730025)
Congressional Quarterly's Guide to the Presidency (REF 353.0313 C749)
Oxford Companion to the Supreme Court of the United States (REF 347.7326)

SERIALS

Regular, frequent publications of government primary source material

Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents (Periodicals, 1st floor)
Department of State Dispatch (Periodicals, 1st floor)
Congressional Record (Periodicals, 1st floor)

INDEXES

Available through our Academic Databases.

Congressional Masterfile - indexes microfiche going back to the 1st Congress, On CD-ROm and Paper.
Proquest Congressional (formerly Lexis-Nexis)
PROQUEST Direct - includes Dispatch & Weekly Compilation
Political Science Complete

INTERNET

Almost every agency has a website. These are some basic ones, and include links to many others.

ASK AT THE REFERENCE DESK FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE

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Last Reviewed: March 9, 2012