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Federal Government Resources

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Government Printing Office Search Engines & Guides Census and Statistics Genealogy Grants and Foundations Historical Documents Homework, History Day, and Children's Sites

IRS Tax Links Maps Military Science and Environment Unclaimed Property and Free Credit Reports Weather Data Other Documents Libraries

Spokane Public Library is a Federal Depository Library (FDLP).  You do not need a library card or computer reservation for access to government websites.  All .gov and .mil websites are accessible from any Catalog Computer in all Spokane City Libraries.   Look for official copies of federal documents on  the Federal Digital System: FDsys , or try a search on USA.gov.  
 

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Government Printing Office

• Catalog of U.S. Government Publications:  find current and historical documents with links.
  
•  Federal Documents Basic Collection:  for Internet links to the most used federal government titles. 
• Federal Digital System (FDsys) the new advanced digital access to free, downloadable and official government publications, such as the Congressional Record, (more info here about the CR) Congressional Hearings and Reports, Federal Register, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), etc.
  
• GPO Bookstore:  purchase your own copy of a document from the Government Printing Office.  Use our guide to Free or For-sale Documents for other ways to obtain your own copy of a document. 
• Metalib.gpo.gov is a federated search engine that simultaneously searches multiple federal government databases.

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Search Engines & Subject Guides

• USA.gov  official Gateway to Government Information. 
  To locate government forms and other government websites, try   Search.USA.gov/search/advanced  . 
• Data.gov offers access to government agency data sets as diverse as climate change statistics and export licensing records, and includes links to International data sites.
  
• Earmarks Database:  maintained by the OMB - Office of Management and Budget.
  
• Federal Procurement Data System:  Find who has Defense Contracts and other Government Contracts. 
• USAspending.gov for all types of government grants, loans, contracts, and other types of spending.
  
• KIDS.gov searches federal agencies kids' sites along with some of the best kids' sites from other organizations.
• Science.gov: search the surface Web as well as the deep Web, including often hard-to-access scientific databases.  This gateway to government science information allows searches across 30 databases and more than1,700 science Websites.  Use Advanced Search to choose websites and databases.
• Government Information Online is a free service supported by libraries throughout the United States;  they offer an Ask a Librarian service that  specializes in answering questions about government information. 
  Chat live online with a librarian or email a question.

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Census and Statistics

• Census Bureau Homepage offers access to official United States Census data, including Easy Stats  for quick access to selected statistics, and including Historical Statistics from the Statistical Abstracts, 1878 – the present; and from the Historical Statistics of the United States, Colonial Times to 1970.
  
• Census QuickFacts:  start at this site for easy access to State, County, or Place statistics.  Want more?   Browse DataSets after you get to your choice. 
• USA.gov maintains a pageto help you find Data and Statistics
• Demographics Now- If you are outside of the Libraries, you will need to enter your Spokane Public Library card number to use this subscription database of demographics, consumer and business statistics.istorical and international data. 
  
• See also our Library's Demographics Resources page for more suggestions for sources of state and local statistics.
• United States Historical Census Browser from the University of Virginia provides access to statistics from the 1790 to 1960 Decennial Census for each of the states and counties.
• Department of Veteran Affairs web site for va.gov/vetdata

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Genealogy Information from Federal agencies

• Genealogical Resources in U.S.. Federal Depository Libraries is published by the Oklahoma Department of Libraries.  Spokane Public Library may own copies of the documents listed; ask at the Reference and Information Desk.
• Library of Congress Genealogy Collections
  Learn about resources in their Local History and Genealogy Reading Room.
  
•  National Archives Resources for Genealogists 
  You can use the National Archives resources to research your family's ancestry.
  

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Grants and Foundations

• Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance:  a database of Federal programs including surplus equipment, training, loans, and grants.
• FirstGov.gov list for Business and Nonprofits links you to the Business and Nonprofits Gateway.
• Grants.gov: a website for non-profit organizations; for state, local and tribal governments; and for academia and research institutions to find and apply for grants.
• IRS Forms 990 :  this IRS page provides information for and about Charities and other Non-Profits.  Read the FAQs about 990s  and open a free registration to search for and read  Forms 990 through Guidestar.org .    Another way to find a 990: try the  990 Finder from The Foundation Center .  You might also want to look at the Washington State page about Charities:  http://www.sos.wa.gov/charities/    
  

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Historical Documents

• Registry of U.S. Government Publication Digitization Projects  serves as a locator tool for publicly accessible collections of digitized U.S. Government publications;
• American Memory, the online Historical Collection at the Library of Congress, provides access to Photos & Prints, Documents, Motion Pictures, Maps, and Sound Recordings.  See also A Century of Lawmaking, 1774-1875,  including selected volumes from the American State Papers, the Congressional Serial Set, the Annals of Congress, the Congressional Globe, and the Congressional Record.
• Core Documents of Our Democracy:  basic Federal Government documents that define our democratic society.  
• National Archives and Records Administration:  many resources including Genealogy, Veterans' Service Records, and how to look for Bankruptcy and Other Court Case Files.   You may also search a database of digital copies of documents,photographs, maps, and sound recordings.
• TRAIL, Technical Report Archive & Image Library:a project to digitize, archive, and provide persistent and unrestrictedaccess to federal technical reports issued prior to 1975. Click here to search TRAIL content .
• Archive.org's Ebook and Texts Archive:  This site often offers choices, such as:   Read Online,  PDF,  B/WPDF,  EPUB (beta),  Kindle (beta), Daisy (beta), DjVu,  All Files: HTTP.
•  You might also try HathiTrust.org or Google Book Search for a possible online full-text scan of historical documents.

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Homework, History Day, and Children’s Sites 

• Ben's Guide to U.S. Government:  learning tools for K-12 students,parents, and teachers.
• KIDS.gov:  links to Federal kids' sites along with lists of the best kids' sites and educators' sites, and sites from other organizations, with the lists all grouped by subject.
• Census in Schools:  census facts, maps, lesson plans, and other materials for students and teachers.
  
• Library of Congress pages for National History Day: 
  Looking for Primary Sources? Sometimes the Library of Congress Catalog has links to digital versions of their holdings of some primary sources. 
  
• The National Archives' gateway for educators and students is the Digital Classroom. 
  
• Space Place: NASA website includes games, projects, and classroom activities for Kids, Parents, and Teachers. NASA for Students is another site for students of all ages.
  
• ASK A LIBRARIAN at the Library Of Congress :  You can ask a reference question or receive assistance in using the American Memory collections, the Learning Page and other Library of Congress online resources.
  
• When Parents are Deployed:  see this page with videos from Sesame Street.
  

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IRS Tax Forms Guide

• IRS.gov  Use this site on any Spokane Public Library Catalog Computer. 
  
• Print IRS forms and publications from any library catalog computer for 10 cents per page or photocopy them for 10 cents per page from the IRS binders.   The library has binders of older tax forms from 1983-2006. 
• IRS tax forms and pubs are online back to 1864!    You can search by:   Product Number, Title, or Revision Date.    For instance, if you want form1040 for 2009, you can search for  2009  in  Revision Date.    A very LONG list comes up of all of the 2009 forms.    Form 1040 is on page 7 of that list.   Click on the form or pub of your choice and a .pdf of the form opens.    You can print the form, or you can type your information into the form before you print it out. 
  
• You may mail-order many current year tax forms and publications for delivery by U. S. mail.    Call 1-800-829-3676 to place your order. 
  
• You may prefer to  pick-up free copies of many current year forms by visiting the Taxpayer Assistance Center in the Federal Courthouse at 920 West Riverside.
• IRS Free-File   and  IRS e-file:    Read about these on the IRS.gov site.   But if you want to link to e-file partner sites (which are private company sites), you may need to first use your City Library Card to reserve a Full-Service Internet Computer so you can link to those commercial sites.  The Full-Service Internet Computers may be reserved for one hour per day with your City Library Card.
• IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service
• IRS site for Where's My Refund?  You can check your Refund Status online.
  
• The AARP Tax-Aide program offers free help with IRS tax forms for taxpayers with low to moderate income, with special attention to those 60 and older.   They offer one-on-one counseling, as well as assistance on the telephone and internet to help individuals prepare basic tax forms, including the 1040,1040A, 1040EZ and other standard schedules.  
• Find an AARP Tax-Aide Site Near You  You can search by zipcode.  Tax-Aide sites are open from February - April 15 each year.   See also their Online Tax Counseling.

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Maps

Maps, Elevations, Latitudes and Longitudes:

• USGS Geographic Names Information System:  this page will help you find Elevations, Latitudes, Longitudes and wonderful maps:  Click on “Domestic Names”; then click on "Search GNIS" to get to the search page.  Click on your feature name; there will be a list of mapping services on the right side of the page.  I like to use USGS The National Map.
  
• NationalMap.gov links to NationalAtlas.gov Map Maker  provided by the Department of the Interior, and it also links to the USGS mapping pages, like to the US Topo , the Historical Topo Map Collection, and to the National Map Viewer.
  
• Spokane County GIS :  use for printable maps of tax areas, zoning maps, and other types of information. 
  
• Spokane CityMap provides a CityMap viewer and a CrimeMap viewer.
• Washington State Geospatial Data Archive for a large selection of maps.
• Latitude/Longitude Conversions, if you need to convert the Latitude/Longitude from decimal degrees to degrees, minutes, seconds. 
  
• Find the Washington State Department of Transportation Railroad map under Freight - Maps 
  

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Military

• Defense.gov is the official web site for the Department of Defense.
• Military OneSource is the Department of Defense website for Service members and families to obtain information about all Quality of Life programs and services; it includes a telephone service and website available to military members and their families, and deployed civilians and their families.  1-800-342-9647.  See also the Wounded Warrior Resource Center.  The WWRC is available 24/7 by email or by phone.
  
• National Archives Research page for Military Records may help in records searches and genealogy research.  The National Archives also has a page for Locating veterans and service members which includes other links that might help find old friends.
  
• Personnel Locators: Get help finding someone overseas or in an emergency.
• Statistical Information Analysis Division of the DoD provides statistics about the military and civilian work force and Military Casualty Information.  Or go to the Department of Veteran Affairs web site for vetdata .
  
• Strategic Studies Institute  (SSI) is the U.S. Army's institute for geostrategic and national security research and analysis. 
• The Air Force Historical Research Agency is the official repository for Air Force historical documents.
• The Naval Historical Center is the official history program of the Department of the Navy.
• The U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center  (USAHEC) includes the Army Heritage Museum and the Military History Institute. 
  
• When Parents are Deployed:  watch the videos or visit this Family Deployment Resources page.

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Science and Environment 

•  Astronomical Applications Department of the U.S. Naval Observatory Sunrise/Sunset:  Click on "Data Services" for Sun and Moon rise and set times, Moon phases, eclipses, seasons, positions of solar system objects, and other data. 
  
•  Cosmicopia’s Great Links page for interested readers without a background in space science. 
  
• NOAA Auroral Activity maps ; see also NOAA's new beta site: the Ovation Auroral Activity Maps ; and the page for Aurora Forecast maps from the University of Alaska Geophysical Institute.  Read the NOAA Space Weather Forecast Discussion page.
  
•  NASA's ISS Tracker will help you find the local flyby times to view the International Space Station.
  
• Nasa's Space Place: games and projects and classroom activities for Kids, Parents, and Teachers.  NASA for Students is another site for students of all ages.
• Household Products Database: Health & Safety Information from the National Institutes of Health.
• Right-to-Know Network provides free access to environmental databases, text files,and conferences on the environment, including the Toxic Release Inventory. The Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) is a database of information about releases and transfers of toxic chemicals from manufacturing facilities.  You can search it by zip code or city.
  
• Science In Your Backyard: Washington: this USGS website includes recreation information, real-time river information, volcanic activity, earthquake information, and more.
• ToxTown:  toxic chemicals and environmental health risks;information from the National Library of Medicine. 
  

  
  

  
  

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  Unclaimed Property and Free Credits Reports

  
  Government May Owe You Money :  see this list of sites from www.USA.gov, the official portal to government resources.    
  Unclaimed Money and Assets: a page of links from the U. S. Department of the Treasury.  IMPORTANT: There is no government-wide, centralized information service or database on how unclaimed government assets may be obtained.  Each individual federal agency maintains its own records. 
  ClaimYourCash.org is a public service of the Washington State Department of Revenue.
  MissingMoney.org:  a States Sponsored National Database from NAUPA (the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators) provides this on-line searchable database which contains unclaimed property records from participating states. This information is provided as a FREE service to the public and is managed for NAUPA by the ACS Unclaimed Property Clearinghouse.
   Annual Credit Reports - the Federal Trade Commission provides information about and a link to annualcreditreport.com, the only authorized online source to get a free credit report under Federal law.
  

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Weather Data 

• Historical Climatological Data for Spokane (1881-)  This links to a list of historical data  for Spokane, Washington, Idaho, and other states available in paper copy on the Federal Documents Shelf and in the Northwest History Room in the Downtown Library.
• The National Weather Service Office in Spokane, Washington provides forecasts for Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho.   
• The Western Regional Climate Center provides Climate Historical Summaries for Western U.S. Cities.   It also links to Precipitation Maps and Precipitation Frequency Maps for the Western U.S.   You can also link to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), other Regional Climate Centers (RCC's), and State Climate Offices.
• The National Climatic Data Center Online Document Library:  A password is no longer needed. .

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Other Documents Libraries

• Eastern Washington University Library Catalog includes many Federal document titles (and their SuDoc numbers).   See   Government Information at EWU Libraries for more information about documents at Eastern Washington University.
•  Gonzaga University Law Library and the Foley Center Library are also Federal Document Depository Libraries.  You may search their Catalogs for documents.
• GRIFFIN is the Washington State University Library catalog; it includes many Federal document titles (and their SuDoc numbers).  Go to:  Government Information Resources at Washington State University for more information.
• The University of Idaho Library Catalog includes Federal documents.  Go to:    UI Government Documents Department  for more information about this 100% Depository Library.
  
•   Locate other Federal Depository Libraries:  Use this page to locate other libraries all over the United States where federal publications and other information products are made available for free public use in Federal depository libraries throughout the United States.
  
•  Northwest Government Information Network
  

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