ProQuest Creates Single-point Access to Catalog of U.S. Government Publications
ProQuest has published the first digital archive of the Monthly Catalog of U.S. Government Publications, the only reliable finding aid to the vast published output of the U.S. government. This online, searchable version of the Monthly Catalog, is the Government Printing Office's (GPO) authorized bibliography of printed documents from all three branches of the U.S. government from years 1895 through 1976. ProQuest's Monthly Catalog of U.S. Government Publications is expected to dramatically streamline research of historical documents from the American government.
"Research with government documents is intimidating and time consuming for both novice and experienced users," said Mary Sauer-Games, vice president of publishing for ProQuest's Chadwyck-Healey unit, which published the archive and is known for expert treatment of special primary research material. "The ProQuest Monthly Catalog of U.S. Government Publications simplifies the process of identifying high-value documents created by all three branches of the U.S. government. This unparalleled resource is part of ProQuest's ongoing initiative to digitize critical finding aids to important historical information."
More than 1,250 libraries in the U.S. alone hold part or all of the documents distributed by the GPO, with the Monthly Catalog as the only finding aid to this enormous body of literature. In 1976, the GPO began publishing the new issues of the Monthly Catalog online as well as in print. These records (from 1976 forward) are available on the Government Printing Office's website and on CD. However, the nearly 1000 issues comprising years 1895-1976 of the Monthly Catalog have been available only in print. ProQuest's Monthly Catalog of U.S. Government Publications, 1895-1975, provides single-point access to 80 years of documents.
Users can simultaneously search an array of subject areas, finding entries on documents with information on environment, energy, health and nutrition, legal, regulatory and consumer information, demographics, and others. Each entry is carefully zoned, keyed, and fielded for maximum accuracy, searching, and browsing. Records link to the original catalog page image for authenticity, eliminating the need for print issues of the Catalog.
About ProQuest
ProQuest creates specialized information resources and technologies that propel successful research, discovery, and lifelong learning. A global leader in serving libraries of all types, ProQuest offers the expertise of such respected brands as Chadwyck-Healey™, UMI®, SIRS®, and eLibrary®. With Serials Solutions®, Ulrich's™, RefWorks®, COS™, Dialog® and now Bowker® part of the ProQuest brand family, the company supports the breadth of the information community with innovative discovery solutions that power the business of books and the best in research experience.
More than a content provider or aggregator, ProQuest is an information partner, creating indispensable research solutions that connect people and information. Through innovative, user-centered discovery technology, ProQuest offers billions of pages of global content that includes historical newspapers, dissertations, and uniquely relevant resources for researchers of any age and sophistication—including content not likely to be digitized by others. Inspired by its customers and their end users, ProQuest is working toward a future that blends information accessibility with community to further enhance learning and encourage lifelong enrichment.
For more information, visit www.proquest.com or the ProQuest parent company website, www.cig.com.