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US Government Documents Fundamentals

A guide to basic information about finding, evaluating, and using government documents for assignments, research, and your own information.

*New Search -- LiberGov

Govinfo: federal digital repository

Congress.gov, including Congressional Research Service Reports (CRS Reports)

Congress.gov is the official website for U.S. federal legislative information. The site provides access to accurate, timely, and complete legislative information for Members of Congress, legislative agencies, and the public.

Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports

"CRS serves as nonpartisan shared staff to congressional committees and Members of Congress. It operates solely at the behest of and under the direction of Congress. Information in a CRS Report should not be relied upon for purposes other than public understanding of information that has been provided by CRS to Members of Congress in connection with CRS’s institutional role. CRS Reports, as a work of the United States Government, are not subject to copyright protection in the United States. Any CRS Report may be reproduced and distributed in its entirety without permission from CRS. However, as a CRS Report may include copyrighted images or material from a third party, you may need to obtain the permission of the copyright holder if you wish to copy or otherwise use copyrighted material. "

All non-confidential CRS Reports are now available (or becoming available) on congress.gov. Until 2019, access was limited.

Data.gov and Census Data

Databases--General

Databases--Subject Specific

Search Engines

USA.gov logo

 

Google, Bing, and other search engines
Use the advanced search to specify  .gov  and/or   .mil  in the domain field or box.  Then add your keywords and the search results will consist of web pages and documents from government groups and agencies. 

Metasite Links

Federal metasites (FDLP Community, S. Beleu, 2-2011)

WSU Libraries, PO Box 645610, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-5610, 509-335-9671, Contact Us