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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Government Printing Office Search Engines & Guides Census and Statistics Genealogy Grants and Foundations Historical Documents Homework, History Day, and Children's Sites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 Guide Maps Military Science and Environment Unclaimed Property and Free Credit Reports Weather Data Other Documents Libraries

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.    Try a search on USA.gov or look for federal documents on GPO Access or the new FDsys.
 

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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• Catalog of U.S. Government Publications:  find current and historical documents with links.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 web links to the most used titles. 
• During 2010, GPO Access is migrating all documents and information to their new Federal Digital System (FDsys) to provide advanced digital access to free, downloadable and official government publications, such as the Congressional Record, Congressional Hearings and Reports, Federal Register, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), etc.
• GPO Access: the original easy to use access to Government information, including a link to the official Federal Register, the CFR  and the updated e-CFR
  
• GPO Bookstore:  purchase your own copy of a document from the Government Printing Office.  Read about other ways to obtain your own copy of a document in our guide to Free or For-sale Documents from selected vendors.
  

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Search Engines & Subject Guides

• USA.gov is the official Gateway to Government Information.  Try their Advanced Search page.
  
• Business.gov guides you through the maze of government rules and regulations and provides access to resources to help you start, grow, and succeed in business.
• Forms.gov is the Official hub for Federal Forms. The Forms Catalog provides citizens and businesses with a common access point to federal agency forms.
• GovBenefits.gov for information about government benefit programs. or try USA.gov Benefits by Topic for an alphabetical list from “Adoption” to “Youth”  that links you to websites for information about Government Benefits, Grants and Financial Aid.
  
• Info.gov:  Here is a list of Federal toll-free numbers or you may call 1-800-FED-INFO.
  
• KIDS.gov searches federal agencies kids' sites along with some of the best kids' sites from other organizations.
• MedlinePlus.gov :  answers to health questions. Authoritative information from government agencies and health-related organizations. Access to medical journal articles. Information about drugs, a medical encyclopedia,interactive patient tutorials, and the latest health news.
• 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 in the 21st Century is an online tutorial in how to find and use government information.
  
• Google U.S. Government Search is a private site that searches official federal, state and local government and U.S. military websites, plus it includes news about government issues from press outlets. 
• 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

• American Community Survey, a new Census Bureau program, is designed to provide updated data for over 800 geographical areas.
• Census Bureau Homepage and American Factfinder offer access to more United States Census data, including Historical Statistics from the Statistical Abstracts, 1878 – the present; and from the Historical Statistics of the United States, Colonial Times to 1970. 
• Data and Statistics on immigration and tourism:  from the Department of Homeland Security and from the Office of Travel and Tourism Industries: OTTI.
  
• 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. 
  
• FedStats: Gateway to statistics from over 100 United States Federal Government agencies.
• Internet Public Library Census Data & Demographics Reference Page links you to information from official and non-official data and reports of the United States and other populations, including historical and international data.
• SocialExplorer.com Maps: census data: 1940, 1950, 1960, 1970, 1980, 1990 and 2000 at the neighborhood (census tract), county, state and national levels.  They also offer a Census Reports section, similar in operation to the Census Bureau's American Fact Finder.
• 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.
• Wolframalpha.com:   useful for socioeconomic data searches.
  
• See also our Library's Demographics Resources page.
  

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Genealogy sites 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
  
• National Archives Genealogy Sources  There are articles of genealogical interest in Prologue : the journal of the National Archives.  See Prologue’s Genealogy Notes page. 
  

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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 provide information on private foundations.  To read a 990, try the 990 Finder from The Foundation Center.  Or try Forms 990 through Guidestar.org

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Historical Documents

• American Memory, the online Historical Collection at the Library of Congress, provides access to Photos & Prints, Documents, Motion Pictures, Maps, and Sound Recordings.  You may read online many scanned-in and searchable document series in  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.
• Archive.org's Ebook and Texts Archive:   Search by keyword, author, or title.  Download free federal documents and books, etc.   This site often offers choices, such as:   Read Online,  PDF,  B/W PDF,  EPUB (beta),  Kindle (beta), Daisy (beta), DjVu,  All Files: HTTP.
• Core Documents of U.S. Democracy:  basic Federal Government documents that define our democratic society.  These titles contain information which is vital to the democratic process and critical to an informed electorate.  They support the public right to know about the essential activities of their Government.
  
• 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.
• The Avalon Project at Yale Law School includes many historical digital documents relevant to the fields of Law, History, Economics,Politics, Diplomacy and Government.
• U. S. Historical Documents (full text) can be accessed via U of Oklahoma Law Center .
• Try 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: 
  Try the Learning Page for history resources and try their “Getting Started” pages for how-to's. 
  Looking for Primary Sources? Sometimes the Library of Congress Catalog has links to digital versions of their holdings of some primary sources.  The “How To” page includes How to Cite 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 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.
  
• 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?
• AARP Tax-Aide site:   The AARP Tax-Aide program offers free 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  Tax-Aide sites are open from February 1 through April 15th 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 this one:  GNIS in google map.
  
• topomaps.usgs.gov:   order maps, find images of maps, and find general topographical map information. 
• Washington State Geospatial Data Archive for a large selection of maps.
• GIS Data Sources from the Geomorphological Research Group. 
• The Spokane County GIS SCOUT website:  use for property mapping, planning maps, and crime maps.  Read the Help screen for how to use.
• Spokane CityMap will provide Topography, and Latitudes and Longitudes.  Type in an address.  Under “Layers”, click on Topography.  Look for your Elevations on the map.  Click on “Add Point X/Y”.  Click on your spot on map; Point Location Info will give you Latitude and Longitude.
• Reference USA – subscription database directory of businesses and residential phone numbers and addresses with latitude/longitude information and links to a map.  You may need to enter your library card number for access.
• Latitude/Longitude Conversions, if you need to convert the Latitude/Longitude from decimal degrees to degrees, minutes, seconds.   
• How Far Is It:  finds the latitude and longitude of two places, and then calculates the distance between them (as the crow flies).
  

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Military

• DefenseLINK, the official web site for the Department of Defense.
• Joint Chiefs of Staff website has links to the home pages for the Army,Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard.
• MilitaryHOMEFRONT is the Department of Defense website for Service members and families to obtain information about all Quality of Life programs and services.
• Military OneSource is 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 National Resource Directory  and 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.
• US Army Military History Institute serves as the primary facility where researchers study Army history.
  
• 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.  See also NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center and Aurora Maps
• 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.
•  NTIS  The National Technical Information Service is the official resource for government-sponsored U.S. and worldwide scientific, technical,engineering, and business-related information.   Spokane Public Library has a password for access to these reports.  Ask for assistance at the Reference Desk.
• 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.
• Spokane Falls cam in downtown Spokane.  On June 18, 2009, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued the new license  that sets out conditions for Avista's operations of the dams for another 50 years.
  
• 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 has been given to Spokane Public Library for use in the city libraries.    Please ask for help at the Reference Desk.  These passwords can only be used at any computer inside an authorized site such as any Spokane City Library.

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Other Documents Libraries

• Eastern Washington University Library Catalog includes document titles.  See also their page for EWU Government Information
• Gonzaga University Law Library and the Foley Center Library are also Federal Document Depository Libraries.  You may search their Catalogs for documents.
• GRIFFIN: Washington State University's Library Catalog includes many document titles.   For more information:   Government Information Resources at WSU.
• The University of Idaho Library Catalog:  This 100% Depository Library has the most complete collection of Federal Documents in the Inland Northwest.  See also:  UI Government Documents Department. 
• 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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