Government Documents Main Library Louis Stokes Wing 4th Floor 525 Superior Avenue Cleveland, OH 44114 216.623.2870 GovDocs@cpl.org

The Government Documents Department contains publications published and distributed by the United States Government Printing Office. As a congressionally designated depository, the Cleveland Public Library selects publications originating from all agencies of the federal government and covering all topics. The Library has been a federal depository since 1886 and has consistently selected a high percentage of the available publications, making it one of the more comprehensive collections in the Cleveland area.

Collections and Services

Census
The U.S. Census, 1790 to date, is available in a combination of book, microform and CD-ROM. Included are the decennial Census of Population and Housing and the non-decennial Agriculture and Economic Censuses (Retail, Wholesale and Services).

Census data is currently abstracted by city, county, MSA and state populations in the County and City Data Book and the State and Metropolitan Area Data Book. The Census Catalog and Guide, published annually describes all products issued by the Bureau of the Census.

The Bureau annually publishes a Statistical Abstract of the U.S. to provide a standard summary of America`s social, political, and economic organization. Historical Statistics of the U.S., Colonial Times to 1970, supplements the Abstract.

A selection of current decennial and economic census publications can be found in the southeast corner room.

Congress and Legislation
The Congressional Directory published with the convening of each Congress, contains biographical information on the legislators; committee assignments; Federal department rosters; and domestic and foreign consular listings. Progress of any legislation can be traced using the Congressional Record, Congressional Quarterly`s CQ Weekly Report and Congressional Index and the Internet. Copies of congressional bills are available on microfiche beginning with the 96th Congress, 1981.

The Congressional Information Service (CIS) Index is a comprehensive guide to Congressional committee hearings, reports, documents, prints, public laws, and legislative histories, issued after 1970. Historical indexes, which provide information on legislation dated between 1789 and 1970, are also available, as well as the Congressional Universe online.

Consumer Publications
General interest consumer publications are spotlighted in several resources: The Consumer Information Catalog, Subject Bibliographies and the online Sales Product Catalog. Many consumer-oriented publications, available for reference use here at the library, are for sale in the Government Bookstore located in the Federal Building downtown.

The Department of Agriculture, the Department Health and Human Services, and the Consumer Product Safety Commission are only three of the agencies producing a wealth of consumer publications. The Consumer`s Resource Handbook, issued periodically by the U.S. Office of Consumer Affairs, is designed to help consumers navigate today`s complex marketplace.

Laws and Regulations
The Government Documents Department includes current public laws, as well as permanent volumes of the Statutes-At-Large and the U.S. Code. The Code of Federal Regulations dates back to 1938. Copies of the Federal Register date back to 1936.

The official activities and communications of the President of the United States, including Executive Orders and Proclamations are recorded in a Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents and volumes of the Public Papers of the Presidents.

Magazines
A selection of magazines and other recurring publications are on display in the southwest corner room. The U.S. Government Periodicals Index indexes many of the articles dating back to 1970.

Patent Collection
The Government Documents Department is also a U.S. Patent and Trademark Depository Library. A complete file of U.S. Patents is maintained on microfilm and CD-ROM. Various classification documents are available, making it possible to conduct a patent search. The CASSIS CD-ROM System and the online Web Examiner Search Tool (WEST) are available free of charge to assist in accessing patent information. Trademark registrations may also be searched.

Statistics
The American Statistics Index (ASI), published monthly, provides a comprehensive guide to Federal statistical publications from the 1960`s to the present. ASI`s category index permits searching by geographic divisions, by commodities and income, and by numerous other qualifiers, including age, race, sex, and education. The Statistical Universe is also available online.