Hot Document in December

New Member Pictorial Directory: 112th Congress

Prepared under the direction of the Committee on House Administration, New Member Pictorial Directory: 112th Congress includes biographical information on each new member of the United States Congress, including color photographs, date of birth, residence, education, occupation, and political career.

The Directory is published biennially by the Joint Committee on Printing of the U.S. Congress. Specifically, it includes information about a Member of Congress' length of service, political party affiliations, and Congressional district. It also includes a section on candidates from districts in which the results were not determined at the time of publication. Profiles of these candidates begin on page 47.

This document is sponsored by the U.S. House of Representatives and the United States Senate on GPO Access.

Hot Document in November

Hubble 2009: Science Year in Review

Hubble Science Year in Review is an annual collection of essays and images designed to share the year's most important Hubble science, as determined by astronomers. The essays go into detail about the research, and can thus provide greater context than the typical news release. Each edition is released in the following year — for example, the 2009 book was released in 2010, and the 2008 book in 2009.

These volumes provide only a highlighted selection of the year's discoveries and center on topics rather than on individual news items. For the complete collection of Hubble news and more specifically focused information, visit NewsCenter. For the best selection of Hubble images, visit Gallery.

Tarver Library has a print copy of this document in its government documents collection. Please view the record to Hubble 2009 as part of the Hubble ... Science Year in Review series. You can access the 2006, 2007, and 2008 editions of the series through the official Hubble web site.

Hot Document in September

The Condition of Education 2010

The Condition of Education 2010 covers all aspects of education, with 49 indicators that include findings on enrollment trends, demographics, and outcomes.

"The Condition of Education 2010 consists of five sections of indicators, as well as an additional “special section” that examines high-poverty schools using data drawn from various indicators in the volume. Each section begins with a summary of the general topic areas covered by the indicators in the section. Each indicator consists of a page with key findings and technical notes, one or two figures and/or tables on the adjacent page, and one or more supplemental tables, found in appendix A. The supplemental tables feature the estimates used in the indicator discussion as well as additional estimates related to the indicator."

Tarver Library has a print copy of this document in its government documents collection. Or you can just view the link to The Condition of Education 2010 in Brief.

Hot Document in August

Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH), 2010-11 Edition

The Occupational Outlook Handbook is a nationally recognized source of career information, designed to provide valuable assistance to individuals making decisions about their future work lives. The Handbook is revised every two years.

This book describes about 250 occupations in detail and covers what workers do on the job, working conditions, the training and education needed, earnings, and expected job prospects. Also includes information on additional occupations.

In addition, the Handbook gives you job search tips, links to information about the job market in each State, and more. You can also view frequently asked questions about the Handbook.

Tarver Library has the print copy of this document in its government documents collection.

Hot Document in July

State and Metropolitan Area Data Book: 2010
A Statistical Abstract Supplement

The State and Metropolitan Area Data Book (SMADB) is the highly respected companion report to the Census Bureau's Statistical Abstract of the United States. While the Statistical Abstract provides general social, political, and economic data for the U.S. as a whole, the SMA Data Book contains similar information, but focuses on the local areas -- States, metropolitan areas, and micropolitan areas of the United States.

The Data Book is designed to serve as a statistical reference and guide to other statistical publications and sources. It includes a selection of data from statistical publications and electronic sources, both government and private. Although emphasis is primarily given to state and metropolitan area data, U.S. totals and data for component counties and central cities are also provided.

This edition of the State and Metropolitan Area Data Book features more than 1,500 data items for the United States and individual states, counties and metropolitan areas from a variety of sources. Topics include age, agriculture, births, business establishments, communications, construction, cost of living, crime, deaths, education, elections, employment, energy, finance, government, health and households.

In addition to its extensive tables, the report includes maps, source notes, and appendixes. You can find the full text of the book on the U. S. Census Bureau web site.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Economics and Statistics Administration, Department of Commerce

Hot Document in June

Interrogation: World War II, Vietnam, and Iraq

This book from the National Defense Intelligence College takes both an historical and policy-oriented view of prisoner of war interrogations in three wars. The World War II section examines the Army’s use of Japanese Americans – Nisei – as interrogators in the Pacific region. This part also analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of the Army and Navy Japanese language training provided during the war.

The Vietnam section focuses on profiles of the most able interrogators in World War II and the war in Vietnam. The authors see excellent linguistic ability, a deep understanding of the captives’ culture, and a perception that torture is useless in soliciting information as key for successful interrogation of prisoners.

The final section, on Iraq, focuses on policy issues – specifically, whether Army doctrine should permit Special Operations personnel to interrogate prisoners. As in previous sections, personal examples and real-world examples constitute the most exciting and compelling part of the read.

You can find the full text of the book here.

Featured Government Website in May

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) http://www.nimh.nih.gov

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. This month, the featured government site is National Institute of Mental Health. The mission of NIMH is to transform the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses through basic and clinical research, paving the way for prevention, recovery, and cure. Notable sections of the site include: Health Topics (Depression, Eating Disorders, Social Phobias, and more) with clinical trials, statistical reports, and publications; Research and Funding where one can learn about major NIMH research areas and funding opportunities; and Science News archive dating back to 2002. The site provides plenty of opportunities for social networking, with links to NIMH accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube.

Hot Document in May

Health, United States, 2009
With Special Feature on Medical Technology

Health, United States, 2009 is the 33rd annual report on the health status of the Nation and is submitted by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to the President and Congress. It contains detailed tables and charts on health status and its determinants, health care resources, health care utilization, and health insurance and expenditures.

The full report contains 150 data tables in addition to the special feature on medical technology. The tables cover the spectrum of health topics, serving as a comprehensive snapshot of the nation's health.

• Life expectancy at birth increased more for the black than for the white population between 1990 and 2007, thereby narrowing the gap in life expectancy between these two racial groups. Overall U.S. life expectancy in 2007 was 77.9 years.
• In 2007, 20 percent of U.S. adults were current cigarette smokers, a slight decrease from 21 percent in the previous three years. Men were more likely to be current cigarette smokers than women (22 percent vs. 17 percent).
• In 2005-2006, 30 percent of adults often or almost always had trouble sleeping in the past month.
• In 2007, 20 percent of adults 18 years and over had at least one emergency department visit in the past year, and 7 percent had two or more visits.
• The percentage of the population taking at least one prescription drug during the previous month increased from 38 percent in 1988-1994 to 47 percent in 2003-2006, and the percentage taking three or more prescription drugs increased from 11 percent to 21 percent.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Please click this link to access the online version of the book.

Hot Document in April

Indicators of School Crime And Safety: 2009

A joint effort by the Bureau of Justice Statistics and National Center for Education Statistics, this annual report examines crime occurring in school as well as on the way to and from school. It provides the most current detailed statistical information to inform the Nation on the nature of crime in schools. This report presents data on crime at school from the perspectives of students, teachers, principals, and the general population from an array of sources--the National Crime Victimization Survey, the School Crime Supplement to the National Crime Victimization Survey, the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, the School Survey on Crime and Safety and the School and Staffing Survey. Data on crime away from school are also presented to place school crime in the context of crime in the larger society.

Source: National Center for Education Statistics

Please click this link to access the online version of the book.

Hot Document in March

Economic Report of the President 2010

"The Economic Report of the President is issued by the Executive Office of the President and the Council of Economic Advisers. It includes:

• Current and foreseeable trends and annual numerical goals concerning topics such as employment, production, real income and Federal budget outlays.
• Employment objectives for significant groups of the labor force.
• Annual numeric goals.
• A program for carrying out program objectives.
  

The Economic Report of the President is transmitted to Congress no later than ten days after the submission of the Budget of the United States Government. Supplementary reports can be issued to the Congress which contain additional and/or revised recommendations.

Included in the Economic Report of the President is the Annual Report of the Council of Economic Advisers. Each year, the Council of Economic Advisers submits this report on its activities during the previous calendar year in accordance with the requirements of the Congress as set forth in section 10(d) of the Employment Act of 1946 as amended by the Full Employment and Balanced Growth Act of 1978.

The Economic Report of the President has been published since 1950 and is available on GPO Access from 1995 forward. A searchable database of the Economic Report of the President is available from 1996 forward. Documents are available in ASCII text and Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF), with many of the tables also available for separate viewing and downloading as spreadsheets in xls and comma delimited formats."

(Source: GPO Access)

Hot Document in February

Indicators of School Crime and Safety: 2009

"A joint effort by the Bureau of Justice Statistics and National Center for Education Statistics, this annual report examines crime occurring in school as well as on the way to and from school. It provides the most current detailed statistical information to inform the Nation on the nature of crime in schools. This report presents data on crime at school from the perspectives of students, teachers, principals, and the general population from an array of sources--the National Crime Victimization Survey, the School Crime Supplement to the National Crime Victimization Survey, the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, the School Survey on Crime and Safety and the School and Staffing Survey. Data on crime away from school are also presented to place school crime in the context of crime in the larger society."

If you use some data from this reference book, here is a suggested citation:

Dinkes, R., Kemp, J., and Baum, K. (2009). Indicators of School Crime and Safety: 2009 (NCES 2010–012/NCJ 228478). National Center for Education Statistics, Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education, and Bureau of Justice Statistics, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Washington, DC.

Featured Government Website in January

Science.gov – a search engine just for science

Are you aware that federal agencies across the United States generate a wealth of scientific information ranging from materials geared for the general public to highly technical research reports?

“Science.gov is a gateway to government science information and research results. Currently in its fifth generation, Science.gov provides a search of over 40 scientific databases and 200 million pages of science information with just one query, and is a gateway to over 2000 scientific Websites” (see Science.gov fact sheet).

This wonderful science website represents a collaborative effort by a group of government agencies to select and share the best of their online science information. Science.gov is an interagency initiative of 18 U.S. government science organizations within 14 Federal Agencies. These agencies form the voluntary Science.gov Alliance which governs Science.gov.

Topics include:

• Agriculture & Food
• Applied Science & Technologies
• Astronomy & Space
• Biology & Nature
• Computers & Communication & Mathematics
• Earth & Ocean Sciences
• Energy & Energy Conservation
• Environment & Environmental Quality
• Health & Medicine
• Physics & Chemistry
• Natural Resources & Conservation
• Science Education

If you are interested in learning more about this website, please feel free to contact Liya Deng, Government Documents Librarian at Tarver Library. She is happy to help you with researching government produced science resources.

Hot Document in January

Projections of Education Statistics To 2018

"This publication provides projections for key education statistics. It includes statistics on enrollment, graduates, teachers, and expenditures in elementary and secondary schools, and enrollment and earned degrees conferred expenditures of degree-granting institutions. For the Nation, the tables, figures, and text contain data on enrollment, teachers, graduates, and expenditures for the past 14 years and projections to the year 2018. For the 50 States and the District of Columbia, the tables, figures, and text contain data on projections of public elementary and secondary enrollment and public high school graduates to the year 2018. In addition, the report includes a methodology section describing models and assumptions used to develop national and state-level projections."

Tarver Library has the print copy of this document in its government documents collection.

Hot Document in December

Condition of Education 2009

The Condition of Education 2009 summarizes important developments and trends in education using the latest available data. The report presents 46 indicators on the status and condition of education. The indicators represent a consensus of professional judgment on the most significant national measures of the condition and progress of education for which accurate data are available. The 2009 print edition includes 46 indicators in five main areas:

(1) participation in education;

(2) learner outcomes;

(3) student effort and educational progress;

(4) the contexts of elementary and secondary education;

(5) the contexts of postsecondary education.

Tarver Library has a print version of this document title in our collection.

Hot Document in November

The United States Government Manual 2009-2010

The United States Government Manual 2009-2010 provides comprehensive information on the agencies of the legislative, judicial, and executive branches. It also includes information on quasi-official agencies; international organizations in which the United States participates; and boards, commissions, and committees.

A typical agency description includes a list of principal officials, a summary statement of the agency's purpose and role in the Federal Government, a brief history of the agency, including its legislative or executive authority, a description of its programs and activities, and a "Sources of Information'' section. This last section provides information on consumer activities, contracts and grants, employment, publications, and many other areas of public interest.

The current edition of the U. S. Government Manual 2009-2010 is available at the Tarver Library Reference desk. The electronic publication is available both as ASCII text and PDF files.

Hot Document in October

Deschler-Brown Precedents Volume 17 (Chapter 34 and 35)

Deschler-Brown Precedents of the U.S. House of Representatives, Volume 17 (Chapter 34 and 35) is now available on GPO Access. Chapter 34 contains Constitutional Amendments and Chapter 35 covers Presidential messages and executive communications.

The early parliamentary precedents of the U.S. House of Representatives were published by Asher Hinds (1907) and Clarence Cannon (1936). The Deschler and Deschler-Brown Precedents of the U.S. House of Representatives document the parliamentary precedents and procedural practices of the House from 1936 forward. Please view this page for more information about Deschler's Precedents.

Volume 17 of the Deschler-Brown Precedents incorporates an eclectic mix of chapters not logically placed in earlier volumes: constitutional amendments (ch. 34); presidential messages and executive communications (ch. 35); ceremonies and awards (ch. 36); resignations (ch. 37); deaths (ch. 38); recesses (ch. 39); and adjournments (ch. 40). As chapters 36-40 are completed with indices, each will be made available on the web through the GPO.

Please browse Deschler's Precedents on GPO Access.

GPO’S Federal Digital System (FDsys)

The Government Printing Office (GPO) launched its Federal Digital System (FDsys) earlier this year. FDsys allows the GPO to receive information from federal agencies in all three branches of Government and create a repository for permanent, public access.

FDsys now posts congressional bills, documents and hearing testimonies; documents from the Federal Register; and bills and laws enacted since the 104th Congress.

The site also offers a daily online publication covering the president's orders, statements and remarks — the Daily Compilation of Presidential Documents. Contributed by the Office of the Federal Register, it uses material from the White House Press Office.

FDsys offers incredible search capabilities for users such as: searching by Congressional Committee, by a Member of Congress's name, keyword, and date. Watch the GPO's FDsys online tutorials to know more about its search features.

This system gives the American people a one-stop site to authentic, published Government information. Recently GPO’S FDsys was named one of the best government web sites.

GPO makes government information available at no cost to the public through GPO Access (www.gpoaccess.gov), and through partnerships with 1,240 libraries nationwide participating in the Federal Depository Library Program. Tarver Library is one of the depository libraries.

Please watch this video about FDsys.

Constitution Day

Did you know that today, September 17, is the U.S. Constitution Day? The U. S. Constitution was signed on this day 222 years ago by thirty nine brave men who changed the course of history. To celebrate this historic day, please check out some of the many Tarver Library books related to the Constitution. To locate the relevant materials, you can use the library catalog and do a Subject search for "Constitution United States". Or just click on this link to view the available books.

Also check out our Constitution Day display near the Government Documents area on the second floor of the library.

In addition, the Library of Congress Constitution Day Resources features a rich collection of primary documents, lesson plans, kids' stories, and more. Finally, a webcast discussion of The Words We Live By: Your Annotated Guide to the Constitution by Linda Monk is available for your viewing pleasure.

National Climatic Data Center Online Document Library

Being a depository library, Tarver Library has access to a fee-based database provided by the National Climatic Data Center.

The National Climatic Data Center(NCDC) is part of the United States Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the National Environmental Sateliite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS). NCDC is the world’s largest active archive of weather data. The Online Document Library provides access to datasets and publications of the Center.

NCDC Online Document Library includes six components of the National Climatic Data:

Local Climatological Data
Climatological Data
Monthly Climate Data for the World
Monthly Normals
Storm Data
Hourly Precipitation Data

Access is only available from within the Jack Tarver Library. Please stop by and see a reference librarian for access.

DARTS - Depository Access to Reports, Technical and Scientific

A pilot project between NTIS and GPO, Depository Access to Reports, Technical and Scientific (DARTS) provides access to government-produced technical information.

DARTS features full text of over 240,000 online titles from 1964-2000 posted by the National Technical Information Service (NTIS). NTIS's technical reports cover a wide variety of sciences, including physics, chemistry, environmental science, and the health, behavioral, and social sciences.

DARTS is provided by the Department of Commerce only to participating Depository libraries and requires a password that can only be obtained from librarians at the participating libraries.

Access is only available from within the Jack Tarver Library. Please stop by and see a reference librarian for access.