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Government Documents Office: Room 4.203, 4th floor of Library
Phone: (512) 232-3805
Hours: 8:30 am – 5:30 pm, Monday - Friday
Coordinated by Government Documents librarian Barbara Bridges, the Documents Collection is located on the fourth floor. A selective government depository since 1965, the Library collects all Congressional publications and other law-related titles from the Executive and Judicial branches of the federal government. Holdings for major sets such as the Congressional Record, Federal Register, and administrative decisions are complete from volume one.
Access to the collection is facilitated by the use of TALLONS (for most documents received since 1976), paper and online indexes. Most documents are arranged by Superintendent of Documents (SuDoc) classification number on the shelves located on the north end of the fourth floor.
*When the office is closed, the Reference Librarian on the main floor can help you during their regularly scheduled reference hours. The media collection and government documents in the open stacks are available for use during all Library hours.
Most of our online materials are available for all to use from all locations; however, due to contractual obligations, many Library commercial databases are available only to individuals with a valid UT EID or to UT Law School-affiliated patrons. Some online commercial indexes are only available for use by the general public on site in the Library. The Government Documents librarian maintains several lists of federal documents websites, designed to provide easy access to the wide variety of government information available online.
Circulating federal documents may be checked out for the standard 3-week library loan period. Borrowing privileges are available to any member of the UT-Austin community presenting a valid UT ID. Non-UT-affiliated patrons must obtain a guest borrower card. Fines are charged for overdue and lost documents.
The Government Documents librarian is available for reference help and consultation. She can help:
She cannot give substantive advice on legal questions or interpret legal materials. Reference help is available on a walk-in basis; however, those needing extensive help may need to set up an appointment. Limited telephone reference is available during normal business hours. Individualized instruction on finding specific government information, following regulations, etc., is always available for the “documents novice” or someone wishing to refresh documents research skills.
If Tarlton’s Documents Collection does not have what you are looking for, you might try –
Not in Austin? Try a depository library near you.
