Federal Government Information

As a federal depository library, the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) receives all print documents and publications distributed by the United States Government Publishing Office (GPO). We hold well over 1 million publications and reports from federal agencies broadly categorized as our US Documents Collection, many of which can be found via the TSLAC library catalog.

To search for specific federal publications or reports, we recommend starting with the Advanced Search feature and using the following search parameters:

• Words or Phrase: keywords or subject terms
• Author: Agency Name (or previous name) or Author
• Location:  “At TSLAC, US Documents Collection” 

An example is also shown below:

This is the TSLAC library catalog record for annual reports in print format from the United States Department of Labor. The catalog record lists individual reports published between the years 1913 to 1993 with their location and call number:

The US Documents Collection includes both electronic and physical publications. When an item is available online, the catalog record will include a link in both the results list and in the detailed record. Not every item with electronic access will have a corresponding print copy. Much of what the GPO publishes is also—or exclusively—online, and these items are included in the TSLAC catalog.

Some items published before 1976 may not be shown in the TSLAC library catalog. Our online orientation video Locating US Documents has more information about finding federal publications.

You can also contact the TSLAC Reference Desk for a shelf check to confirm if we hold a specific title or publication year.

Visit USA.gov for complete, authoritative information about federal government agencies and services.

Legislative Branch 
The legislative branch makes federal laws, controls the budget, confirms or rejects judicial and Cabinet nominations, and has the power to declare war and impeach and remove the President. It includes the US Congress and supporting agencies such as the Government Publishing Office and the Library of Congress.

Congress.gov
Information on the US Congress, including Senate and House of Representatives directories, recent actions of Congress, schedules, bill texts, and other information.

Government Publishing Office
The Government Publishing Office (GPO) keeps America informed. For nearly 140 years, GPO has produced and distributed federal government information products. Learn about GPO resources and access online publications through the GPO agency website.

Library of Congress
The Library of Congress (LOC) provides Congress with objective research to inform the legislative process, administers the national copyright system, and manages the largest collection of books, recordings, photographs, maps and manuscripts in the world.

Legislative Process
Information about the federal law process, including federal regulations and presidential executive orders. Project Vote Smart's Government 101: How a Bill Becomes Law and GPO’s Ben's Guide to the U.S. Government may be helpful for students, parents, and educators.

Executive Branch 
The executive branch is led by the President of the United States and is responsible for day-to-day enforcement and administration of federal laws, with the support of the Vice President, Cabinet members, and various executive government and independent agencies.

Federal Government Agencies
Links to official federal government agency websites through USA.gov.

The White House
Information from the current administration, including the Executive Office of the President, the Vice President, and the Cabinet.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
NARA is an independent government agency responsible for preserving US government records, publishing laws, and regulations through the Federal Register publication system , and managing the Presidential Libraries system, which includes archived presidential White House websites .

Judicial Branch 
The judicial branch is responsible for interpreting federal laws according to the US Constitution, and includes the US Supreme Court, the US Court of Appeals, and other federal courts.

US Supreme Court
Information about the Supreme Court, including where to find opinions.

Federal Judiciary
Information about Federal courts and access to federal court records, reports, and rules.

Federal Judicial Center
The Federal Judicial Center conducts policy research and provides continuing education resources for the judicial branch.

Law Library of Congress
Legal research and reference resources from the Library of Congress.

America's Founding Documents  
The Declaration of Independence, Constitution of the United States, and the Bill of Rights from the National Archives.

United States Statutes at Large  
Federal laws arranged by date of passage by the United States Congress. 

United States Code (USC)  
All general and permanent laws of the United States arranged by subject matter.

Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)  
Federal rules and regulations published in the Federal Register.

Federal Register  
Search or browse issues from 1936 to the present. 

United States Congressional Serial Set  
House and Senate Executive Documents and House and Senate Reports, including bill files. Selected bill files, documents, and reports from the Serial Set have been digitized on HathiTrust and the Library of Congress website (includes the oldest serial set). The CFR and Serial Set are available to view in print at our library in Austin.

US Census Bureau
Population, economic, and demographic information from the US Census Bureau. View and download digitized US Census Bureau publications from 1879 to the present .

National Historical Geographic Information System (NHGIS)  
Census data by state and county for the census years of 1790 through 1960.

Social Explorer  
Data visualization tools and access to curated data sets from the US Census Bureau and NHGIS. Please note that Social Explorer requires a paid subscription. Check with your local public or academic library for access to Social Explorer.

Data.gov  
Search the catalog of federal government data to produce federal, state, and international datasets. Many federal agencies have their own data portals that can be searched.

Federal Depository Libraries
If it's not online, it may be in a library near you! Since 1813, depository libraries have safeguarded the public's right to know by collecting, organizing, maintaining, preserving, and assisting users with information from the federal government. View listings of federal depository libraries in Texas, searchable by city . 

The full history and mission statement is available on the FDLP website .

The following resources may assist librarians who are managing FDLP collections:

FDLP Basic Collection
This outlines federal documents that should be readily available for all patrons to use.

Regulations
This page breaks down the regulations that FDLP member libraries must follow.

Sources of GPO Cataloging Records
These sources, most of which are free to libraries, provide catalog records for federal documents.

Catalog of US Government Publications
This is the full catalog of federal publications as maintained by the GPO.

DiscoverGov  
This web-based search tool from GPO allows users to search multiple Federal Government databases, including GovInfo and the above GPO catalog.

The Texas State Plan for Federal Depository Library Services and superseded 1983 Texas State Plan for Federal Depository System are available upon request. 

Texas State Publications Depository Program

About Texas