Government Publications

Defined in the U.S. Code (44 U.S.C. 1901), government publications are "...informational matter which is published as an individual document at government expense, or as required by law."  Government documents started as solely printed materials, but as technology evolved and more tangible formats emerged like microformats and electronic formats, vendors and librarians began to use the term government publications to be more inclusive. CWU Brooks Library is a government depository library for federal and state government material.

The James E. Brooks Library is a Congressionally Designated Depository Library for U.S. federal and state government publications. Public access to the federal  depository collection is guaranteed by public law (Title 44 United States Code).  With the passage of the Federal Depository Act in 1962,  Catherine Dean May, the US Representative for our district, nominated our institution for that honor. We have been an official depository for U.S. government publications including maps since that time, receiving our fist delivery of documents in 1963. We became a full depository for Washington State government publications in 1965.  As defined in the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 40.06.010 (4) "State publication" means information published by state agencies, regardless of format, intended for distribution to state government or the public.  We receive materials in all formats including maps from the State Library of Washington.

We currently receive physical copies of, and/or links to, about 37% of the publications that the U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) distributes and 100% of the government documents that Washington State Library has available. We also have historical materials in tangible formats including maps, atlases, globes, historic microform sets, and some key print publications. Government Publications are located on the third floor of the James E. Brooks Library on the Ellensburg campus. Government Publications also houses the libraries' maps and microforms collections.

One place you may always receive help with any government information research is Government Information Online (GIO) where librarians across the United States will assist you.

Below is a video for fun and to help explain the separation of powers a bit more.  In order to understand federal government publications, a basic understanding of the framework of the U.S. Government is invaluable.  How the three branches work together is fundamental.  An organizational chart of the U.S. Government which shows the three branches of government may be found in the U.S. Government Manual.  The U.S. Government Manual provides background on the federal government including leadership, agency activities, authority, and programs.  It also includes historical agency changes, quasi-agencies, boards, commissions, committees, international organizations, bilateral organizations, historical documents, and much more.