The Broward County Library has been a depository for federal documents since 1967. The Reference Section includes current documents made available from the Government Printing Office plus retrospective collections in microform.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged by a classification system known as the Superintendent of Documents classification system. It arranges publications by issuing agency. All publications of each agency are shelved together, regardless of the subject matter of the publications.

Bibliographic Control

Most of the Reference Section's federal documents are listed in the Broward County Library's online Library Catalog (www.broward.org/library). Another important tool for accessing federal documents is GPO Monthly Catalog (http://www.browardlibrary.org/other/or_inhouse.html#gov_). Many of the more recent documents listed in this catalog include links to the full text of the documents.

Microform Formats

The Section has many documents in microfiche and microfilm formats. Citations for many of these microform collections appear in the Broward County Library's online Library Catalog (www.broward.org/library) but some of the microform collections have their own special indexes, as well.

Electronic Formats

A great deal of government information has recently become accessible electronically, making it easier, quicker and more current. Many government publications are now available online through the GPO Access website ( www.gpoaccess.gov) as well as the home pages of specific government agencies. The Federal Register, the Congressional Record, and the Statistical Abstract of the United States, as well as many other publications are available online.

Other Sources

Documents not owned by Broward County Library may often be borrowed or photocopied through Interlibrary Loan from other depository libraries.

The Regional Depository for the State of Florida is the University of Florida Library in Gainesville. It has the most complete collection of federal documents in the state.

In addition to the Broward County Library, the following libraries, located in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach Counties are selective Federal Depository Libraries:

Nova Southeastern University Law School Library

Florida Atlantic University Library

Florida International University Library

Miami-Dade Public Library

University of Miami Library

University of Miami Law Library