Introduction
The Seattle University Law Library is a selective U.S. Federal Depository. Access to these materials is governed by federal law and rules from the Superintendent of Documents. Professional librarians choose items that fit the library’s purpose. Materials come in many formats, including books, journals, maps, and electronic products.
Along with general government titles, the collection focuses on law, criminal justice, foreign affairs, and regulatory issues.
Access
Most of the collection is cataloged and can be found in the Law Library catalog, available online using a personal computer or on terminals located on the second floor. Key holdings include House and Senate Reports, Hearings, Executive Documents, and other congressional papers. These help explain the law-making process and show congressional intent. Most are in microformat. Use the CIS Index (Congressional Information Service) to locate them by Superintendent of Documents number. Selected government journals are also indexed in the online Index to Legal Periodicals.
Government publications are increasingly available in electronic form. GovInfo and the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) provide free, web-based access to many federal documents. Four public computers in the Reserve area allow patrons to connect to GovInfo and FDLP.
Location
Most paper materials are integrated into the main collection. Locations are listed in the online catalog. Government documents in microformat are kept in Room 204. For help, email LawReference@seattleu.edu. Staff at the Circulation/Reserve Desk can also guide you or assist with microformat reader-printers in Room 204.
Arrangement
Government documents in the main collection are organized by Library of Congress classification. Microformat items use the Superintendent of Documents classification system. Both can be located through the online catalog.
Circulation and use policies
All materials circulate according to the Law Library Policies. The public may use the federal government documents collection free of charge. To borrow circulating items, members of the public can request them through their local public or institutional library using interlibrary loan. A reference librarian can also suggest other ways to access government publications.
Assistance
Anyone needing Federal Depository materials must first complete the FDLP Use Request form to schedule an appointment. Upon arrival, all visitors, except current law faculty, staff, and students, must show ID at the Circulation Desk and complete the Visitors’ Registration Form.
