Alkek Library News

Save Statistical Abstract!

For many, Statistical Abstract is the first source consulted for statistical information. This crucial reference source has been in existence since 1878. It is available online and in print.  It appears that 2012 federal budget cuts will mean the demise of this statistical compendia. Under the topic "Statistical Abstract and the Consolidated Federal Funds Report, and other noted publications from the Statistical Compendia Branch (Census Bureau)" the Government Printing Office (GPO) help site states:

Question

We've heard the Census Bureau has announced it is going to discontinue the Statistical Abstract and the Consolidated Federal Funds Report. Can you confirm this information? Answer A representative of the agency responds: "The just released 2012 budget does not include funding for the Statistical Compendia Branch which would mean the elimination of not only the Statistical Abstract, but all titles produced by that branch (State and Metropolitan Area Data Book, County and City Data Book, USA Counties, Quick Facts). No new editions would be produced in print or online. We have already started work on the Statistical Abstract 2012 edition and are still working on the local area products. We will continue to work on these products and have a contingency plan to have the Statistical Abtract 2012 out by the end of September, due to our uncertain future."

If this source goes away, there is no comparable, comprehensive source to take its place.  Under the current proposal, both the print and the online version will disappear because the Census Bureau’s Statistical Compendia Branch will be eliminated . 
 
Some have suggested that perhaps other sites/sources could fill the void if Statistical Abstract goes away.  However, many of the other statistical sources that are currently available cite Statistical Abstract as the source for information.   Additionally, one source mentioned as a possible replacement, Data.gov, is in fact also at risk (see Free Government Information blog posting).

Researchers and librarians across the country are uniting in protest of the proposed cut and starting to contact Congressional representatives. Concerns expressed include:

• The Abstract aggregates social, economic, and political indicators. It is time-consuming and difficult to compile this information from other sources.
• The Abstract provides source information for the statistics provided which allows researchers to easily consult other relevant topical information.
• The printed Abstract includes some copyrighted material that will no longer be easily accessible.
• A similar statistical publication is published by many countries around the world as a means of providing access to understanding the state of a nation's social, political and economic functioning. Terminating this publication would mean that the United States no longer demonstrated value in a free and open society with easy access to statistical information.

There are several ways that you can express your concern:
 
(1) Join a Save the U.S. Statistical Abstract facebook group
(2) Sign an online petition
(3) Write a letter to your representative (check this blog posting or this American Library Association Action Alert for a sample letter)

Depository Library Survey

For 55 years, Texas State University Libraries have provided access to government information as a result of their membership in the Federal Depository Libraries Program (FDLP).  Libraries are changing, and depository libraries seek your input on our future.

Help us serve you better by completing a short (16-question) survey — your anonymous answers will be confidential.  Aggregate anonymous data will only be shared with the U.S. Government Printing Office and the Alkek Library.

Take the survey at

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HSLCRRB

The survey is open from now until February 28, 2011.

Thank you for your input!

Government Information Fair -- Nov. 17

In order to showcase the plethora of information available from state and federal government agencies, representatives will be available in the LBJ Student Center Ballroom from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

More than 30 federal and state agencies will be represented. Come talk with exhibitors such as the Texas Education Agency, the Environmental Protection Agency, National Library of Medicine, and many others, and pick up handouts and other free materials.

The Government Information Fair is part of the Library's recognition of the 55th anniversary of depository status for the Library.  For more information on depository libraries and our anniversary celebration, please see: http://libguides.txstate.edu/depositoryanniversary/.

 

New Primary Source Database: Serial Set

Recently, Texas State University began a subscription to the Serial Set, online through LexisNexis.  The Serial Set is a phenomenal government information resource for researchers who need primary sources. 

What is the Serial Set?

The U.S. Congressional Serial Set, commonly referred to as the Serial Set, contains the House and Senate Documents and the House and Senate Reports bound by session of Congress. It began publication with the 15th Congress, 1st Session (1817). Documents before 1817 may be found in the American State Papers (which are actually included in our new access to the online Serial Set!). In general, the Serial Set includes: committee reports related to bills and other matters, presidential communications to Congress, treaty materials, certain executive department publications, and certain non-governmental publications.

A few of the unusual documents that may be found in the Serial Set are:

• annual reports of the Boy Scouts & Girl Scouts
• Commodore Perry's Expedition to the China Seas & Japan, 1852-1855
• Capt. John Gunnison's 1853 expedition to explore a route for a transcontinental railroad
• The Children of Immigrants in Schools (1910)
• An atlas to Accompany the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies

How could Texas State University researchers use the Serial Set?

Serial Set documents are primary source materials.  Anyone who needs historical perspective in their research would benefit from the source.  The resource is not solely text; maps, charts, drawings, and illustrations are also included.

At Texas State University, in the Government Information unit, we have some of the print volumes of the Serial Set, starting in the late 1950s, though we also have scattered holdings dating back to the 1820s.  The online access that we now have makes access to Serial Set information much easier, and our access to historical information is significantly increased.

How do you get to the online version of the Serial Set?

You can search the Serial Set online from this link, or you can access the database from    LexisNexis Congressional on the Library’s Research Databases website.  If you're searching in LexisNexis Congressional, in the “Search within” section of the page, clear all of the checkboxes except for the Serial Set boxes (note that you may search only Serial Set maps or by clicking on the Serial Set options, you may limit your search to items with illustrations or to items with statistical tables).

Our online access to Serial Set provides access to U.S. Serial Set I (1789-1969) and Serial Set II Prospective (2004-present).

 

New Database: CQ Voting & Elections Collection from CQ Press

Subjects: Presidential elections, congressional elections, gubernatorial elections, voting system, campaigns, political parties, voters, demographics, candidate and office histories, seat status and competition, party control, split districts, etc.

Formats: Full-text analyses, explanations, and historical material; election data.

Coverage:  1775 to present

From CQ Press:

 

"CQ Voting and Elections Collection integrates a wealth of data, authoritative analyses, concise explanations, and historical material to provide a powerful research and reference tool on the American voter, major and minor political parties, campaigns and elections, and historical and modern races for Congress, the presidency, and governorships. This research and reference website is organized into six categories:

 

Presidential Elections includes explanations of the presidential electoral process, analyses and data for historical and modern presidential elections, modern voting behavior, key events and issues, and biographies.

Congressional Elections provides explanations of the congressional electoral process, including reapportionment and redistricting; data for historical and modern congressional elections; analyses of modern congressional elections; modern voting behavior; modern district profiles; key events and issues; and biographies.

Gubernatorial Elections presents explanations of the gubernatorial electoral process and data for historical and modern gubernatorial elections. 

Campaigns and Elections explores the American system of voting and elections, electoral process and reform, media, interest groups, and the impact of money.

Political Parties covers the party system in America, including party strength and control, and profiles Democratic, Republican, and third parties.

Voters and Demographics covers expansion of voting rights, voter turnout, voting behavior, modern county census data, and modern district profiles.

CQ Voting and Elections Collection supports course work in campaigns and elections, Congress, and the presidency, including the Advanced Placement course in American Government and Politics and scholarly research in political science and American history."

CQ Voting and Elections Collection is located on the main databases page under these Subjects: Political Science and by type: Census and Demographics.