from gov docs to fun docs: using government information to enhance your library and school

From Gov Docs to Fun Dcs!Using Government Information to Enhance

your Library and School

Sonnet Ireland H ead of Federal DocumentsE arl K. Long L ibrary University of New Orleans

LASL MidwinterMarch 3, 2012

Who are you?

I'm the Head of Federal Documents for the Earl K. Long Library at the University of New Orleans.

We've been a depository since 1963, and we have a 93% selection rate. That means that we receive 93% of what the government puts out.

What are you going to teach us?

Today, you are going to learn how to access government information/resources that suit the needs of your students!

Some of these resources are even great for the school or parents.

Why are you showing this to us?

Because the term "Government Documents" terrifies even the bravest of librarians...

But it shouldn't! This stuff is easy to find and use!

Who can we use this for?

Everyone! That's the beauty of government information...there's so much of it! You can use gov info for...

And much, much, MUCH more…

How can we access this great stuff?

Easily! Today, you will learn...

How to find great stuff in the GPO catalog

How to find great stuff through Google

How to order FREE materials from a variety of places

Which sites to use as your go-to resources

1. How to find great stuff in the GPO Catalog

First, go to Catalog.gpo.gov

Then search for terms like...

Coloringor Activities

or Kids

Then limit to Internet Publications

1. How to find great stuff in the GPO Catalog

Limiting to Internet Publications guarantees that you will be able to access these great resources.

However, if you see something you like that isn't available online, you can call your local depositories to see if they have it. Then you can come in and scan or copy it.

2. How to find great stuff through Google

Go to Google.com to search for resources with terms like...Kids site:.gov

or kids activities site:.gov

or Louisiana kids site:.gov

or New Orleans Kids site:.gov

2. How to find great stuff through Google

Interested in a certain age range? Try substituting kids for...Teens site:.gov

or grades k-3 site:.gov

or tweens site:.gov

or preteens site:.gov

2. How to find great stuff through Google

What's with all the site:.gov, you ask? This is a limiter in Google that search specifically for websites that are .gov, as opposed to .com.

You can do a broad search for government information with site:.gov.

You can also search specific government sites with this function: Like site:state.gov for the U.S. Department of State.

2. How to find great stuff through Google

Looking for something more specific? Try searches like...Kids NASA site:.gov

or kids site:nasa.gov

or kids epa site:.gov

or Kids site:epa.gov

2. How to find great stuff through Google

Need ideas for which agencies have the best sites? Try...

National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationEnvironmental Protection AgencyFederal Bureau of InvestigationCenters for Disease ControlCentral Intelligence AgencyU.S. Dept of Agriculture

2. How to find great stuff through Google

Another great way to search? Using .org. These sites aren't always reliable (think Wikipedia), but many are (like PBS).

Use the same terms you used for the .gov searches, just substitute .gov with .org.

3. How to order FREE stuff

You wouldn't believe how easy it is. Many sites (.govs and .orgs) offer FREE materials to schools. I kid you not!

Here are some of my favorites...

3. How to order FREE stuff

Publications.USA.gov

Store.SAMHSA.gov

C-SpanClassroom.org

4. Go-to Resources: .govBen's Guide to U.S. Government for Kids

bensguide.gpo.gov

Library of Congress: Kids and Familieswww.loc.gov/families

Kids.gov

Kids.clerk.house.gov

usa.gov/Topics/Teens.shtml

www.FindYouthInfo.gov

4. Go-to Resources: Specific .govs

StopBullying.gov/kids

Teens.drugabuse.gov

Ready.gov/kids

Read.gov/kids

USmint.gov/kids

SolarSystem.nasa.gov/kids

4. Go-to Resources: Louisiana .gov

Louisiana.gov Kids' Pagelouisiana.gov/Explore/Kids_Page/

Mary Landrieu Kids Cornerlandrieu.senate.gov/kidscorner/

Secretary of State's Louisiana Coloring Bookwww.sos.la.gov/Portals/0/allaroundla/coloringbook/color/

4. Go-to Resources: .org

KidsHealth.org

PBSKids.org

Kids.JDRF.org

KidsClick.org (SLIS @ Kent State University)

4. Go-to Resources...

Shameless Self-Promotion...

Gov Info 4 Schools govinfo4schools.blogspot.com

Federal Documents @ Earl K. Long Libraryfeddocs.blogspot.com

Twitter: @feddocs

Thank you!

Sonnet IrelandHead of Federal Documents

Earl K. Long Library, University of New Orleanssebrown3@uno.edu

http://www.linkedin.com/in/sonnet

And again....

Gov Info 4 Schools govinfo4schools.blogspot.com

Federal Documents @ Earl K. Long Library feddocs.blogspot.com

Twitter: @feddocs and @sonnetireland