LibGuides: Primary Sources: Government Documents

Definition

Government documents can be created at the city, town, county, state, provincial, federal, or national level. These documents include a variety of information such as demographics, policies, laws, and reports, to name a few. Contrary to popular belief, these documents are not all on the internet though many are. You may have to go to a particular agency or request that they send you the information you are looking for.

When you are looking for government documents, one place is the official website of a government municipality or organization. From there, you may be able to access reports or data or at least get a contact name for further assistance.

Sample Books in our Collection

Japanese evacuation from the West coast, 1942: Final report by United States Department of War
Call Number: D769.8.A6 A37 1943
A comprehensive report detailing the evacuation, by the US Army, from the West Coast of the United States of persons of Japanese ancestry in the interests of military security during the spring of 1942. The considerations which led to the evacuation as well as the machanics of the operation are described in detail by the army.
Critical Government Documents on the Environment by Don Philpott
Call Number: GE180 .P45 2015
ISBN: 1598887475
Guide to US Government Documents, 2000-2002 by Vickey L. Baggott; Luke Griffin
Call Number: Ebook
ISBN: 0585496919
Publication Date: 2004-01-01

Websites

GPO: U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo)
The U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) is the Federal Government’s official, digital, secure resource for producing, procuring, cataloging, indexing, authenticating, disseminating, and preserving the official information products of the U.S. Government.
State of California
From here you can access state information as well as the different state agencies focus on a specific topic.
Orange County, CA
City of Aliso Viejo
United States Census Bureau