Circulation | Collection | Access to Collection |  Staff | 

The Government Information Resource section of the University Libraries is located in Fenwick Library and maintains the federal and state documents collection in print, microform, maps, and electronic formats.  The majority of U.S. government publications are cataloged and can be searched using  the  Libraries' online catalog.

Reference service is provided through the Main Library Reference Desk.   For telephone reference assistance, please call 703-993-2210 or request through e-mail.  

Circulation

Most government publications (Federal and VA State) located in the government documents collection at Fenwick Library can be checked at the circulation desk of Fenwick Library except the following materials: Reference, Microfiche and Microfilm, and Titles for Non-Circulating.  CIA maps, USGS Topographic Maps, and CD-ROMs are available for circulation with a permission slip at the reference desk of Fenwick Library.

Collection

The Library has been a U.S. Federal Depository Library since 1960 and currently selects about 50 % of the material available through the Federal Depository Library Program .   The collection is arranged by  Superintendent of Documents Classification System (SuDocs) call number which organizes publications by issuing agency rather than by subject. 

The collection is particularly strong in  foreign relation, international trade, census and congressional publications.  The library maintains a complete collection of decennial U.S. Census Bureau (1790-), Congressional Record, American State Paper,  the Official Records of the War of Rebellion, and U.S. Statutes at Large.  

The Library also receives 30 % of the material available through the National Technical Information Service (NTIS) Selected Research in Microfiche Program and also houses publications issued by Joint Publications Research Service (JPRS), Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, and EPA's Chesapeake Bay Program.  

The Library has been a full depository for the Virginia State Documents since 1970. Materials received include Virginia law, the House and Senate Reports and Documents,  and publications from state agencies and State Universities and Colleges.  The majority of these publications are not cataloged and arranged by a classification devised by the University of Virginia.   An explanation guide to the classification system is located at the reference desk in Fenwick Library.

The GMU Libraries has been a selective depository for the European Union (EU)  since the 1990’s. The EU collection is located in Arlington Campus Library of George Mason . All EU documents are listed in the Libraries’ online catalog.

The collection includes  the entire 50 states of U.S. topographic (7.5 minutes/quad) maps issued by the USGS and CIA maps as well as computer mapping software and geo-spatial data.   

The Libraries does not collect local documents. Please contact the Fairfax County Public Library system, which maintains an extensive collection of materials published by Fairfax County.  

Access to Government Documents Collection

Access to Government Documents Collection

Government documents in the libraries' collection since 1976 can be located using the Libraries' online catalog.  Please ask Government Documents Staff for assistance in locating pre-1976 information, maps, and government documents in microfiche format filed in fiche cabinets in the Documents Microfiche Room.

Electronic Access

Government information is increasingly available electronically on CD-ROM or via the Internet.   The following government information searches are available through  "Government Information" of the Libraries' Database: the Online Catalog of Government Documents (via MOCAT) or GPO Monthly Catalog; the full-text of many widely used government publications through GPO Access; the selected electronic publications through FDLP Electronic Collections.   Many subscription online databases for government information are also available through the Libraries' Database: Congressional Universe, Statistical Universe, STAT-USA, and  World News Connection for direct full-text access;  Congressional Index, 1789-1972 and NTIS Index for search.   The Library's Government Information web page also points to the many web resources that are available online.

The Document Microfiche Room in Fenwick library provides workstations for accessing government CD-ROMs in addition to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software.  GMU Libraries policy on Public Services relating to Federal Information in electronic formats is stated in the Depository Library Public Service Guidelines for Electronic Government Information.  If you are unable to locate a documents or if you need a demonstration on how to find online government information, please call at 703-993-2238 or contact the documents librarian.

Staff

Government Documents/Maps
Fenwick Library 
George Mason University (MSN 2FL)
4400 University Drive,
Fairfax, VA.  22030-4444.
Tel) 703-993-2259.
Fax) 703-993-2494.

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