Bibliographic Form: U.S. Government Documents

NOTE: the examples given here are not indented properly due to variations in browser spacing.

The information required to effectively cite a federal government document in a bibliography or works cited list differs slightly from other types of materials. Government works may have personal authors, agency authors, or both. Superintendent of Documents call numbers are useful in citations because they are a universally understood call numbering system. The examples below are taken from The Complete Guide to Citing Government Information Resources: A Manual for Writers & Librarians (Ref Z 7614 .G7 G37, shelved at Reference Desk).

The examples given here can help identify the necessary citation information. This information can be adapted to the format and punctuation of a standard bibliographic citation manual.

NOTE: the examples given here are not indented properly due to variations in browser spacing. For bibliography style use "hanging indentation". If footnote style is needed, reverse the author name and use paragraph indentation.

Periodical Articles

Wallach, John M. "No More!" All Hands 905 (Aug. 1992) pp. 4-9. (D207.17:905).

"Progress and Challenges: Looking at EPA Today," EPA Journal 16:5 (Sept/Oct. 1990) pp. 15-29. (EP1.67:16/5).

Book Chapter

Steiner, Richard. "Washington Present: Our Nation's Capitol Today," pp. 54-135. In U.S. Capitol Historical Society. Washington Past and Present. Washington: U.S. Capitol Historical Society, 1983. (Y3.H62/2:8W27).

Table from Statistical Source

"Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts--Membership and Units: 1970 to 1989," No 410, p. 241. In Statistical Abstract of the United States, 1991. 111th ed. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1991.

Book or Report

U.S. Congress. Office of Technology Assessment. Competing Economies: America, Europe, and the Pacific Rim. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1991. (Y3.T22/2:2 Ec7).

An agency which is well-known does not have to be preceded by its departmental name:

U.S. Forest Service. Taraghee Lodgepole: A Pioneering Effort in Deadwood Salvage. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1979. (A13.2:T 17).

When a personal author is named, credit should be given:

U.S. Library of Congress. The Center for the Book. The History of Books: A Guide to Selected Resources in the Library of Congress by Alice D. Schreyer. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1987. (LC1.6/4:H62).

Include agency assigned report numbers and the name of a series:

U.S. National Center for Health Statistics. Family Structure and Children's Health: United States, 1988. (DHHS Pub. No. PHS 91-1506). Washington: Government Printing Office, 1991. (Vital and Health Statistics Series 10: Data from the National Health Survey No. 178). (HE20.6209:10/178).

Document Series

U.S. Department of the Navy. Naval Historical Center. On Course to Desert Storm: The United States Navy and the Persian Gulf by Michael A. Palmer. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1992. (Contributions to Naval History, No. 5). (D207.10/4:5).

Series within a series:

U.S. Bureau of the Census. Poverty in the United States: 1992. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1993. (Current Population Reports; Consumer Income Series P60-185). (C3. 186/22:992).

Standard Source

It is not necessary to include the name of the issuing agency for well-known or standard reference sources, such as the Government Manual, Statistical Abstract of the United States, U.S. Reports, and the Congressional Directory.

Economic Report of the President February 1992. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1992.

Special Formats

Include the format for audio or video tapes, audiovisual materials, film strips, maps, microfilm, microfiche, and slides:

U.S. Department of the Interior. Bureau of Outdoor Recreation. National Urban Recreation Study: Dallas Fort Worth (microfiche). Washington: Government Printing Office, 1977. (I66.24:D16).

Census

U.S. Census of Retail Trade, 1992, Geographic Area Series Delaware (RC92-A-8). Washington: Government Printing Office, 1994. ( C 3.255/2:RC 92-A-8).

U.S. Census of Population and Housing, 1990: Summary Population and Housing Characteristics Delaware (CPH-1-9). Washington: Government Printing Office, 1991. (C3.223/18:CPH-1-9).

Hearing

U.S. Senate. Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Gold and Silver Coinage Proposals Hearing, 15 Apr. 1983 (S.Hrg. 98-113). (microfiche). Washington: Government Printing Office, 1983. (Y4.B22/3:S.Hrg. 98-113).

U.S. Senate. History of the Committee on Finance (S.Doc.95-27). Washington: Government Printing Office, 1977. (1977 CIS microfiche S 360-1).

Testimony or paper within a hearing:

Park, Robert L. "The Muzzling of American Science," pp. 609-614. In U.S. House. Committee on Government Operations. Computer Security Act of 1987 Hearing 25, 26 Feb. and 17 Mar. 1987. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1987. (Y4.G74/7:C43/29)

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Version: 8/97
Last modified: 08/05/04

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