Government Publications - Trent University Library

How to Locate a Government Publication

All holdings records for Government Publications are available through TOPCAT on PCs located throughout the Library.

Government Publications may be searched using Author, Title or Call Number searches in TOPCAT. The “Power Search” option is highly recommended.

Keyword searching is also recommended for use with Government Publications.

Following are some tips for keyword searching Government Publications:

Use the jurisdiction name as part of your search strategy. eg. “Canad?” or “Ontario,” or “Peterborough.” Since all government publication records have the name of the jurisdiction as part of the author, this designator will identify items which include the name of the specified jurisdiction in the search string.

Use very broad terms to describe the subject, as well as very specific terms. For example, “birch” and “tree?” and “forest?” will all result in hits, but the specific range of titles for each word may be quite different. If you have 0 hits, then change your search strategy, and try a broader or more specific search string as appropriate.

Sample Government Publications record found in TOPCAT - BRIEF DISPLAY

CA1 HW - 2000S34

To share and to learn : the case for Canadians to act globally against HIV/AIDS : Canadian Strategy on HIV/AIDS, international collaboration
Canada. Dept. of Health. International Affairs Dir.

HOLDINGS: 1 copy available at BATA. 1 copy total in all locations

Title	To share and to learn : the case for Canadians to act globally against HIV/AIDS : Canadian Strategy on HIV/AIDS, international collaboration.
Corporate Author	Canada. Dept. of Health. International Affairs Dir.
Publication info	[Ottawa} : Health Canada, [c2000]
Physical descrip	vol.; 31cm.

BATA Library	Copies	Material	Location
CA1 HW - 2000S34	1	govt-mono	Government Publications

Note: In TOPCAT, the dash ("-") represents the beginning of the second line of the call number as it appears on the call number label on the publication. HINT: In searching for a call number on the shelf, always look for the first line first (preceding the dash), followed by the second line.

Example:

TOPCAT	CALL NUMBER LABEL
CA1 HW - 2000S34

FINDING DOCUMENTS ON THE SHELF

Government Publications are shelved alphabetically by country, within country by level of government, within level of government by department and branch.

Each element of the code represents certain information about the publication. Look below for example.

RESERVE COLLECTION:

Faculty members may request that certain publications be placed on Reserve. All such publications become part of the regular Reserve Collection, and are held at the Reserve Desk on the 2nd Floor, BL.

The Location indicated in TOPCAT for such publications will be BATA-GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS. and the Call Number will be followed by Reserve Rm.

REFERENCE COLLECTION:

Documents and other publications which are considered to be reference tools of particular value for use with a Government Publications Collection, are shelved near the Government Publications/Maps Reference Desk, 4th Floor, BL. Examples include statistical compendiums, publication catalogues, etc.

Note the [REF] immediately following the call number.The location indicated in TOPCAT for such publications will be:

BATA Library	Copies	Material	Location
CA1 BS11 – C402 [REF]	1	reference	Government Publications

WORKROOM:

Some documents and other publications are located in the Government Publications Office. It is important to write this information down because you will only be able to access this material during hours of service.

Note the {WKRM] immediately following the call number. The location indicated in TOPCAT for such publications will be:

BATA Library	Copies	Material	Location
CA1 BS11 – C402 [WKRM]	1	reference	Government Publications

ELECTRONIC RESOURCES:

The Government Publications home page, linked to the Maps, Data & Government Information Centre home page, offers several important links to government agencies including: government departments and ministries, Statistics Canada, Parliament and Legislative Assembly, royal commissions and task forces, municipalities, select countries and international organizations.

Please visit our web site at:		http://www.trentu.ca/library/govpubs/
See also related links at:		http://www.trentu.ca/library/maps/ and
		http://www.trentu.ca/library/data/

CALL NUMBER

CA2ON NR37 - 2001M13

Management guidelines for forestry and resource-based tourism.
Ontario. Min. of Natural Resources. Forest Management Br. 2001.

Country CA -- Canada

Level of government 2 -- Provincial

Province/state ON -- Ontario

Dept./agency NR -- Min. of Natural Resources.

Subdivision 37 -- Forest Management Br.

Date of publication 2001 -- 2001

Title/Series indicator M13 -- Title/series number

The number which represents the level of government may vary from 1 to 8, representing:

1. -- Federal level of government

2. -- Provincial/state

3. -- County/regional

4. -- Municipal

5. -- NA

6. -- Committee/council/association/institute

7. -- Corporation

8. -- International commission

Note:- Categories 5-8 apply only to those acting as agencies of the government; or dealing with the structure and policies of the government.

Important:- Not all publications have a number at the end of the first line or at the beginning of the second line of the call number. In this case, the publication is treated as if a zero (0) appears in this position in the call number, and is shelved preceding anything with a number in this position.

An Example of Filing Order:

(First) CAI L58 - Z46

(Second) CA1 L58 - 98B72

(Third) CA1 L58 - 99L51

(Fourth) CA1 PL136 - Q12

(Fifth) CA1 PL136 – 99R05a