Research and Reference Resources

U.S. Federal Depository Publications

This library is a Congressional designated depository of U.S. government publications. Public access to the government documents collection is guaranteed by law. (Title 44 United States Code)

Selected New Publications: CD/DVD- Rom | Federal Government Web Sites | Paper Publications.

Madison Public Libray is a "Selective" federal depository library for the 2nd Congressional District of Wisconsin , being so designated in 1965. It maintains a core collection of publications as outlined in the Suggested Core Collections for Small to Medium Public Libraries, listed in the Federal Depository Library Manual, January 2008. All titles from the BasicCollection and most of the titles in the "Essential Titles for Public Use in Paper Format" are selected.

The library receives approximately 20% of the publications available for selection through the Federal Depository Libray program. The collection is arranged by the Superindent of Documents Classification System and housed in the Reference Department of the Central Library. It consist of approximately 23,000 paper publications; 15,00 microfiche; 450 CD-ROM/DVD disks and selected maps. Maps included are topographic maps for the state of Wisconsin; CIA country maps; national historic sites, parks, forests, and wildlife refuges maps; and census tract maps.

Selected significant and popular title are available via the Linkcat online library catalog. Recently published federal publications my be found on the MPL GOV INFO blog. In addition, you may access a list of CD/DVD electronic format publications; visit selected federal government web sites; and view selected recently received paper publications.

Guidelines for electronic publications use is outlined in: Depository Library Public Service Guidelines for Government Information in Electronic Format

Cataloged publications circulated for 28 days and non-cataloged ones circulate for 14 days.

Access to the collection is available the same hours that the library is open.

Federal Depository Library #0668-A
Telephone Reference Service : 608-266-6350
Federal Depository Librarian: 608-266-6359
Fax : 608-266-4230
Email: R. Dais (Depository Librarian): rdais @ scls.lib.wi.us