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Government Documents

Most documents can be checked out. Materials which cannot be checked out include the census publications, the Congressional Record, the Serial Set, and documents on microfiche.

Government Document Indexes

  • American Statistics Index Identify, evaluate, and obtain information from statistical publications of 500+ Federal Government sources
  • Congressional Information Service Identify, evaluate and obtain information from the working papers of the United States Congress, including hearings, print, documents, reports, and special publications, from 1970 to one month ago

United States Documents

Mitchell Memorial Library is a congressionally designated depository for U.S. Government documents. Government Documents can be found in the Reference Room on the 2nd floor. Public access to government documents is guaranteed by public law. See our policy for collecting federal government documents.

United States Government documents or publications are defined as any printed or processed book, paper, periodical, pamphlet, map, microform, or electronic product prepared and published at public expense by the United States Congress or by any of the Executive Departments, independent agencies, or judicial bodies of the U.S. Government. They are not copyrighted and may be reproduced freely.

How to access: Visit Research, Instruction and Outreach.

Location: Research, Instruction and Outreach, Mitchell Memorial Library 2nd Floor

United Nations Documents

MSU Libraries is Mississippi's first United Nations depository, joining over 400 other libraries in 144 countries. These materials can be located in the Reference Room on the 2nd floor of Mitchell Library.

As a library of "full depository status with an electronic component," we receive all United Nations documents and materials in either paper or electronic format that depositories are allowed to receive [no restricted documents, conference papers (distributed to conference participants only), some working papers, promotional items, etc.].

Access to UN documentation (with comprehensive coverage beginning in 1993 and selected earlier coverage) and UN Resolutions (including the official records version of resolutions of the General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council and Trusteeship Council since 1946) is offered through the main database, Official Document System (ODS).

How to access: Visit Research, Instruction and Outreach.

Location: Research, Instruction and Outreach, Mitchell Memorial Library 2nd Floor

Mississippi Government Documents

USGS Topographical Maps

Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps

Original and revised Sanborn maps for 116 communities across Mississippi, housed in the Mississippiana and Rare Books division of Special Collections. Produced from just after the Civil War to just after World War II, Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps provide a wide range of information about architectural structure, integrity and use of buildings; terrain; transportation; employment; locally-available goods and services; and the general population of a town.

How to access: Search the Finding Aids of the Mississippiana Special Collections Repository or explore the Digital Collections.

Location: Special Collections, Mitchell Memorial Library 3rd Floor