From federal depositories to state and military
collections, government libraries are great sources for legal,
historical and local information. Many offer online resources and access to a
catalog of their physical collections.
International, national and local information
The Library of Congress is perhaps the best
known. Recognized as the national library of the United States, it
serves as the research arm of Congress and the world's largest
library, with books and electronic resources on every subject imaginable.
There are also approximately 1,350
federal depository
libraries throughout the
United States and its territories. All provide free public access to
a wide variety of federal government information in both print and
electronic formats.
State libraries
are great sources for local and regional information. Among the treasures
found at state libraries are historical and legal records and studies
conducted by state agencies.
The National Library of Education is the
federal government's primary resource center for education
information. It contains U.S. Department of Education publications
and a wealth of resources for students and teachers.
The National Library of Medicine is the
world's largest biomedical library and publisher of the Medline
online catalog.
The National Agricultural Library is the
research arm of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It contains an
international agricultural information system, coordinates and shares
resources with policymakers and the public, and supports education
and research in the field.