Government Documents

Federal Depository Library

The MSU Library is a member of the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP). Established by Congress in 1813 and administered by the U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO), the FDLP distributes government publications to designated libraries across the country. These libraries—known as Federal Depository Libraries—provide free public access to a wide range of federal documents, including laws, regulations, statistical data, and historical records.

Whether you are conducting research, looking for government statistics, or exploring historical documents, Federal Depository Libraries are valuable resources open to everyone. Government documents are available in several formats including electronic, CD/DVD, microfiche and paper. Library staff and librarians are available to assist the public in locating and accessing this information. 

The MSU Library houses an extensive physical collection of U.S. government documents. These materials include publications from various federal agencies, historical reports, statistical data, and specialized collections such as:

• U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) publications
• Congressional reports and hearings
• Census data and demographic statistics
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) documents
• Historical government publications dating back to the 19th century

We are proud to feature a specialized and extensive collection of materials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that supports research in agriculture, food science, environmental studies, rural development, and related fields. Whether you are a student, researcher, farmer, or member of the public, our USDA collection offers valuable insights and data to support your work and interests. Knowledgeable staff are available to help you locate and use these resources.

Our USDA holdings include:

• Agricultural research reports and statistics
• Crop and livestock data
• Soil surveys and conservation resources
• Food safety and nutrition guidelines
• Rural development programs and policies
• Historical publications and bulletins

The FDLP Basic Collection  includes essential U.S. government publications that are vital for public access. These resources cover laws, regulations, presidential documents, statistics, and more. Below are some of the core titles, each freely available online:

• Ben's Guide to the U.S. Government
  Educational resource for students and adults about how the U.S. government works.
• Budget of the United States Government
  Official budget documents, including the President’s proposals and historical tables.
• Catalog of U.S. Government Publications (CGP)
  A comprehensive index to federal publications and documents.
• Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
  The codified rules and regulations issued by federal agencies.
• Congress.gov
  Legislative information from the U.S. Congress, including bills, laws, and the Congressional Record.
• The Constitution of the United States of America: Analysis and Interpretation
  Annotated version explaining interpretations and case law.
• The Federal Register
  Daily publication of federal rules, proposed rules, and notices.
• govinfo
  Free access to official publications from all three branches of government.
• USA.gov
  The U.S. government's official web portal for information and services.
• U.S. Code
  The codification of the general and permanent laws of the United States.

Most of the items in our physical collection are stored at the MSU Library Annex and may be requested for use via CatSearch.

Oversized books, microfiche, and maps are located on the fourth floor of the MSU Library.

If you need help locating or accessing any of our government document resources, please email Dayne Pritchard.