The James Earl Carter Library at Georgia Southwestern State University was designated a selective Depository Library on September 13, 1966. As such, the library receives publications in hardcopy, microform, and electronic formats through the Federal Depository Library Program distributed by the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO). The library currently owns more than 400,000 government publications that have been selected to serve the information needs of the students, faculty, and staff of the University as well as the citizens of the second U.S. Congressional district of Georgia.

An increasing number of publications have been discontinued in print format and are now accessible only on the Internet. Many of these are represented by GIL-Find records which have hyperlinks to government web pages. A significant amount of information is available on web sites that are not cataloged.  Even the most experienced researcher needs an Internet map to navigate the myriad of online databases produced by the U.S. government. This is a guide to online resources that addresses the needs of the depository constituency.

There are more than 100,000 records for government books, microfiche, and periodicals in GIL, our online catalog of library holdings. Print documents circulate unless they are periodicals or reference resources.  If members of the community who are not associated with the University wish to check out government publications, special arrangements can be made through a reciprocal borrowers agreement with Lake Blackshear Regional Library.

In addition to what the library offers, Government publications can also be accessed through the Catalog of U. S. Government Publications. It is a finding tool for Federal publications that are historical and current.  Online resources are also available and will have a direct link to the publication.