Mission:
The Garden Grove Main Library, located in the 47 th U.S. Congressional District, was designated a Federal Depository in 1963. The primary mission of OC Government Documents Program is to provide free access to Federal Government information through print, digital materials, and online resources.
This will be achieved through:
1. Offering a large selection of digital documents in our catalog that are available 24/7
2. Providing a Government Resource webpage on our library’s homepage
3. Providing expert assistance by a trained librarian
4. Following the requirements set forth in the FDLP Legal Requirements and Program Regulations
5. Supporting the general collection of Orange County Public Library, which serves the citizens of Orange County, California.
Document Categories
Agricultural Resources and Environmental Indicators (AREI)
Databases and Mapping Tools
The ERS State Fact Sheets provide information on population, income, poverty, food security, education, employment/unemployment, organic agriculture, farm characteristics, farm financial indicators, top commodities, and agricultural exports. Links to available county-level data are included.
Flood Insurance Manual
Food Environment Atlas
Food environment factors—such as store/restaurant proximity, food prices, food and nutrition assistance programs, and community characteristics—interact to influence food choices and diet quality. These interactions are complex and more research is needed to identify causal relationships and effective policy interventions.
The objectives of the Atlas are: to assemble statistics on food environment indicators to stimulate research on the determinants of food choices and diet quality, and to provide a spatial overview of a community's ability to access healthy food and its success in doing so.
Wildland Fire Statistics
NNDC Climate Data Online
Climate Data Online (CDO) provides free access to NCDC's archive of global historical weather and climate data in addition to station history information. These data include quality controlled daily, monthly, seasonal, and yearly measurements of temperature, precipitation, wind, and degree days as well as radar data and 30-year Climate Normals. Customers can also order most of these data as certified hard copies for legal use.
Tides Online
Incident News
This site has news, photos, and other information about selected oil spills (and other incidents) where NOAA's Office of Response and Restoration (OR&R) provided scientific support for the incident response. It contains information on thousands of historical incidents spanning 30 years of OR&R spill response. Please contact us if you have any questions.
Fossil Energy R&D Project Data Base
The Department of Energy's Office of Fossil Energy typically manages more than 300 active research and development projects spanning a wide range of coal, petroleum and natural gas topics. You can access information on each of these projects from the Fossil Energy Online Project Database.
geodata.gov (U.S. Maps & Data)
Repository for federal, state, local, and tribal government information. Data.gov aims to improve public access to high value, machine readable datasets generated by the Executive Branch of the Federal Government.
Life Sciences Data Archive
NASA’s active archive, providing information and data from 1961 (Mercury Project) through current flight and flight analog studies (International Space Station) involving human, plant and animal subjects.
The National Map
U.S. Geological Survey’s website, providing applications and web map services for "Topographic Information for the Nation". This information includes topographic maps and geographic information system (GIS) data for elevation, hydrography, watersheds, geographic names, orthoimagery, governmental units/boundaries, transportation, and land cover.
Science.gov
Science.gov searches over 60 databases and over 2,200 scientific websites to provide users with access to more than 200 million pages of authoritative federal science information including research and development results.
Taking Stock: Search the Database
Allows users to explore North American Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR) data through interactive tools and comprehensive reports.
NASA’s Eyes
An engaging series of interactive 3D visualizations that enable users to explore our solar system, space missions, celestial bodies, and other astronomical phenomena in exceptional detail.
Business Patterns (U.S. Census Bureau)
Export.gov
Federal Business Opportunities
Contract opportunities are procurement notices from federal contracting offices. Anyone interested in doing business with the government can use this system to search opportunities. Opportunities include pre-solicitation notices, solicitation notices, award notices, and sole source notices.
Trade Topics
Find publications, programs, and services for trade, “the trade promotion unit of the International Trade Administration.”
Securities & Exchange Commission
Includes investment information as well as the EDGAR database which contains selected documents of companies who are required to file forms with the SEC.
Small Business Administration
Standard Industrial Classification
Links to NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) 2002 and NAICS 2007 as well as NAPCS (North American Product Classification System)
2002 NAIC (North American Industry Classification) and 1987 SIC Correspondence Tables
Search by NAIC, SIC code, or by keyword.
Standard Industrial Classification Search
Organized by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration which is an agency of the Department of Labor.
U.S. Department of Commerce
The Department “encourages, serves, and promotes the Nation’s international trade, economic growth, and technological advancement” and “promotes job creation, economic growth.”
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
This department includes the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Service, which helps to facilitate U.S. trade and enforces U.S. trade laws.
California Secretary of State
The Secretary of State's office is comprised of nearly 500 people who are dedicated to making government more transparent and accessible in the areas of elections, business, political campaigning, legislative advocacy, and historical treasures.
California Building Standards Code
California Building Standards Commission’s online, browsable copy of state building codes.
California Chamber of Commerce
California Home Page
Provides information on the history, culture, economy, natural resources, government, emergency relief and services provided by the State to its citizens, as well as information on working, travelling, vacationing and doing business in California.
California State Association of Counties
Official Web site for this association.
California State Controller’s Office
This site has information on the responsibilities and activities of the State Controller’s Office, statistical information about each County in California, the full text of some of their publications, and a link to Unclaimed Property Information. Prior to searching for unclaimed property, it is important to read the “Frequently Asked Questions” for an explanation of what constitutes unclaimed property, laws governing it, and the procedures for claiming.
California State Library
Information includes an overview of services they offer to the public, libraries, State government and employees, local government and teachers and students, as well as current news affecting the California State Library and California libraries.
Department of Finance (State of California)
This site includes present and historical California budget information, data and reports from the California Statistical Abstract, and other financial, economic, and demographic information for the State of California and its 58 counties.
Official California Legislative Information
This site by the Legislative Counsel of California includes links to all legislative information, including links to daily Senate and Assembly bill updates, links to California law codes, and information on how to find your legislators. Also, this site includes tips on accessing state legislative information on the Internet through a guide, a list of legislative Internet sites, and a listing of legislative publications.
Southern California Association of Governments
SCAG functions as the Metropolitan Planning Organization for six counties: Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside, Ventura and Imperial. “As the designated Metropolitan Planning Organization, the Association of Governments is mandated by the federal government to research and draw up plans for transportation, growth management, hazardous waste management, and air quality.” This site includes bidding opportunities, SCAG publications, regional data, and GIS applications and maps.
State News
Sponsored by The Council of State Governments.
U.S. State & Local Gateway
This site was developed as part of USA.gov to provide links to government information on the Internet.
Where to Write for Vital Records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates)
Organized by the U.S. General Services Administration.
California State Tax - Forms & Publications
If you need to contact the State of California Franchise Tax Board visit www.ftb.ca.gov
California Occupational Guides, Occupational Studies by Industry, and Occupational Guides Indexes & Lists
Organized by the California Employment Development Department (EDD), “the California Occupational Guides are a series of about 300 information sheets covering individual occupations or groups of related occupations. They provide statewide information about job duties, working conditions, employment outlook, wages, benefits, entrance requirements, and training.”
CALJOBS
Organized by the California Employment Development Department (EDD), “this system is intended to help you manage your job search efforts by allowing you to view job listings and by giving you the option of making your resume available to employers through the Internet.” Registration is required to access information on this site.
CareerOneStop
“A U.S. Department of Labor-sponsored Web site that offers career resources and workforce information to job seekers, students, businesses, and workforce professionals to foster talent development in a global economy.” The site includes links to America’s Career InfoNet, which has occupation, industry, and state information, and America’s Service Locator, which helps job seekers and businesses find local and relevant services.
O-NET* (online database)
O*NET OnLine has detailed descriptions of the world of work for use by job seekers, workforce development and HR professionals, students, researchers, and more!
Employment Development Department (EDD)
Occupational Outlook Handbook
Organized by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Locate information on a variety of careers as well as articles from the Occupational Outlook Quarterly.
US Citizenship and Immigration Services
OCCORD – free consultation and help filling out the N400 form
The Better Business Bureau
Orange County Department of Consumer Affairs
Export.gov
Developed by international trade experts and economists, Export.gov provides trusted market intelligence, practical advice and business tools to help U.S. companies expand in global markets.
ED-Data
“Fiscal, demographic, and performance data on California’s K-12 schools” by state, county, and school district, and school.
National Center for Education Statistics
Links to information from the sources, The Condition of Education, The Digest of Education Statistics, Projections of Education Statistics, Youth Indicators, Education Indicators.
Department of Education
Publications, products, statistics, administrative initiatives, Title IV school codes, and financial aid for students.
Federal School Code (database)
You can use the Federal School Code Search to search for colleges you're interested in including on your FAFSA. You can also find detailed college information, like tuition and fee amounts and graduation rates, and compare that information for up to 10 colleges at a time.
Federal Depository Library Program
Catalog of US Government Publications
Ben's Guide to the United States Government
Age-appropriate information about the U.S. federal government for children, organized by age level (4-8, 9-13, and 14+).
USA.gov
The United States Government’s public portal to U.S. government services and information.
U.S. Government Publishing Office
Provides free online access to official, published versions of important federal government information.
Regulations.gov
The types of regulations that can be found on this site include Proposed Rules and Rules, as well as Notices from the Federal Register. Documents such as Public Comments and Supporting and Related Materials are often associated with these regulations and can also be found on this site.
Expect More (online database)
The Federal Government is working to ensure its programs perform well. Here we provide you information about where we’re successful and where we fall short, and in both situations, what we’re doing to improve our performance next year.
USAspending.gov (online database)
USA Spending tracks federal spending to ensure taxpayers can see how their money is being used in communities across America. Learn more on how this money was spent with tools to help you navigate spending from top to bottom.
Earmarks (online database)
Earmarks are funds provided by the Congress for projects, programs, or grants where the purported congressional direction (whether in statutory text, report language, or other communication) circumvents otherwise applicable merit-based or competitive allocation processes, or specifies the location or recipient, or otherwise curtails the ability of the executive branch to manage its statutory and constitutional responsibilities pertaining to the funds allocation process.
Reginfo.gov
Federal regulations address a broad spectrum of activities of the American people. The principal goals of the regulatory system include protecting health, safety, homeland security, and the environment, and improving the performance of the economy, without imposing unacceptable or unreasonable costs on society.
IdentityTheft.gov
The federal government's one-stop resource for identity theft victims.
GPO Access Online Resources: A-Z Resource List
Search Government Publications for official Federal resources including “Budget of the U.S. Government,” “Catalog of U.S. Government Publications,” “Code of Federal Regulations” (CFR), “Compilation of Presidential Documents,” “ Congressional Directory,” “Congressional Record,” “Constitution of the United States of America: Analysis and Interpretation,” “Economic Indicators,” “Economic Report of the President to the Congress,” “Federal Register,” “Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States,” “United States Code,” “United States Reports,” and “United States Statues at Large.”
Presidential Libraries
Organized by the National Archives and Records Administration with an overview of the Presidential Library system as well as links to the libraries’ home pages.
U.S. Government Manual
Search by year.
U.S. Mint
Home page for the U.S. Mint. This site lists the Mint’s mission and facilities, basic collector’s tips, and information about the history, production and specifications for coins, and basic information for collectors.
U.S. State Department
This site is divided into 5 main sections: Issues & Press, Travel & Business, Countries, Youth & Education and Careers.
U.S. Treasury
Includes links to information on savings bonds and the FOIA (Freedom of Information Act).
The White House
Links to independent Federal Agencies and Commissions, the President’s Cabinet, and the President’s press releases as well as information about the President and his family.
Government Tax Forms
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) - Forms, Instructions & PublicationsIf you need to contact your local IRS office visit www.irs.gov (All Taxpayer Assistance Centers (TACs) now operate by appointment).
Department of State
The official U.S. Department of State website and central hub for information on U.S. foreign policy, diplomatic affairs, and international relations. The site also provides resources for international travelers, including visa and passport information, country profiles, and up-to-date travel advisories.
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR)
A more current and user-friendly online version of the print-based U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), compiling all federal agency regulations. The eCFR compliments the printed CFR, providing convenient enhanced access to current regulatory information. Unlike the printed CFR, which is updated annually, the eCFR is updated daily.
Govinfo
The U.S. Government Publishing Office’s searchable repository of official information from all three federal branches of government.
Assistance Listings
Federal programs that provide grants, loans, scholarships, insurance, and other types of assistance awards.
Congressional Research Reports
Online collection of objective in-depth analyses of contemporary topics and issues created by the Congressional Research Service for lawmakers and the public.
Grants.gov
A free online source for finding and applying for federal grants, providing access to more than 1,000 federal grant programs with approximately $500 billion awarded annually.
Social Security Handbook
Basic guide to the U.S. Social Security program.
Title: Above the Flood: Elevating Your Floodprone House
Publisher: Federal Emergency Management Agency Publication
Date: 2000
Title: Answers to Questions About the National Flood Insurance Program
Publisher: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Publication Date: 2020
Title: Coastal Construction Manual Vol. 1
Title: Coastal Construction Manual Vol. 2
Publisher: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Publication Date: 2011
Title: Elevated Residential Structures
Publisher: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Publication Date: 1984
Title: Protecting Manufactured Homes from Floods and Other Hazards
Publisher: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Publication Date: 2009
Title: Mitigation of Flood and Erosion Damage to Residential Buildings in Coastal Areas
Publisher: Federal Emergency Management Agency Publication
Date: 2008
Title: Protecting Building Utility Systems from Flood Damage
Publisher: Federal Emergency Management Agency Publication
Date: 2017
Title: Protecting Floodplain Resources
Publisher: Federal lnteragency Floodplain Management Task Force
Publication Date: 1996
Title: Reducing Damage from Localized Flooding
Publisher: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Publication Date: 2005
Title: A Unified National Program for Floodplain Management
Publisher: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Publication Date: 1994
Title: Repairing Your Flooded Home
Publisher: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Publication Date: 2010
Title: Engineering Principles and Practices of Retrofitting Floodprone Residential Structures
Publisher: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Publication Date: 2012
Title: Homeowners Guide to Retrofitting - Six Ways to Protect Your Home from Flooding
Publisher: Federal Emergency Management Agency Publication
Date: 2014
Title: Protecting Your Home and Property from Flood Damage - Mitigation Ideas for Reducing Flood Loss
Publisher: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Publication Date: 2010
Title: Flood Insurance Study -Volumes 1, 2 & 3 (Orange County, California and Incorporated Areas)
Publisher: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Publication Date: 2009
Title: FEMA Map Service Center (MSC) - Orange County Floodplain Maps
Publisher: Federal Emergency Management Agency Media: CD (5 CD set)
Publication Date: 2009 & 2019
Title: County of Orange & Orange County Fire Authority Local Hazard Mitigation
Plan Publisher: County of Orange & Orange County Fire Authority
Publication Date: 2021
California Department of Health Services – Center for Health Statistics
Healthfinder
Organized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, this site is “a gateway to selected consumer health and human services information resources provided by U.S. government agencies and other organizations serving the public interest.”
National Institutes of Health
This site includes the text of many of the Institute’s most frequently requested publications as well as information from CancerNet, AIDS information, Clinical Alerts, and the Women’s Health Initiative. Some of the information is also available in Spanish.
U.S. National Library of Medicine
Option to search MEDLINE, AIDSLINE, AIDSDRUGS, AIDSTRIALS, HISTLINE, POPLINE, SDILINE, SPACELINE and TOXLINE to retrieve citations to articles from medical journals or LINK to a publishers’ sites for the full-text of some of the journals. Also included on this site is MEDLINEplus which links to self-help groups, consumer health information, medical dictionaries, health-related databases, and medical libraries.
A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation
Organized by the Library of Congress, this site includes “published congressional records of the United States of America from the Continental Congress through the 42nd Congress….The online collection offers the records of the Continental Congress, the Constitutional Convention and ratification debates, and the first forty-two federal congresses, 1774-1873.”
California Law
Organized by the Legislative Counsel of California. Includes the option to search the California Codes by individual code and/or keyword. Links also to the California Statutes and the California Constitution.
California Code of Regulations
The Internet CCR is maintained and updated weekly by OAL (Office of Administrative Law) through a contract with the West Group.
Code of Federal Regulations
View the code by title, chapter, and part or search by title and section.
Search Government Publications
Option to search several databases (e.g. Federal Register, Congressional Record or Code of Federal Regulations) at once.
Federal Register
Organized by the National Archives and Records Administration this site provides “ready access to the official text of public laws; Presidential documents including executive orders, proclamations, the Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents, and Public Papers of the President; the Federal Register; and research tools to help one gain a better understanding of how the Federal agencies promulgate laws.
Findlaw
This site, which has been the recipient of various awards, is well organized and a good site to begin ones legal research.
GPO Access
As of September 1998, the following information is available: Budget of the U.S.; Catalog of U.S. Government Publications (MOCAT); Code of Federal Regulations; Commerce Business Daily; Congressional Information; the Congressional Record; Economic Indictors; History of Bills; House and Senate Pubications; Public Laws; U.S. Code (1994 edition); U.S. Constitution; Federal Register; GAO Reports; GILS; Privacy Act Notices; Supreme Court Decisions; U.S. Government Manual; Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents; Statistical Abstract of the U.S.; and information about the Federal Depository Library Program.
Legal Information Institute (Cornell Law School)
Links to constitutions and codes, court opinions, Federal, State, and International law, law schools, and the legal profession.
Los Angeles County Law Library
This web site can also be viewed in 5 other languages.
Search the United States Code
Organized by the U.S. House of Representatives.
Supreme Court of the United States
This site includes recent Term and In-Chamber Opinions of the Court; very important information on locating Supreme Court opinions; biographies of the current members of the Supreme Court as well as a list of members from 1789 to the present; and the Court and Argument Schedule and Supreme Court Calendar. Note that the Adobe Acrobat Reader program is required to view the information.
Supreme Court Decisions:
1893 – Present
Organized by FindLaw. Search cases by citation, party name, recent decisions, and browse by volume or year.
1937 – 1975
Federal Legal Information Through Electronics (FLITE)
Organized by the National Technical Information Service and the U.S. Department of Commerce. Search by case name or keyword.
1990 – Present
Supreme Court Collection organized by the Legal Information Institute at the Cornell Law School.
Congress.gov
Includes information on legislation, congressional records, and committees.
WashLaw WEB (Washburn University, School of Law)
Links to Federal, State, and International law as well as law library catalogs; legal newspapers, organizations, and news and; law schools.
CA Courts
From finding court locations to accessing case details, court forms, and legal self-help guides, the California Courts website makes it easier for users to navigate California’s legal system.
Department of Veterans Affairs
Statistics on the veteran population, disabled veteran resources, legislation, veterans benefits and services.
Scientific & Technical Information Network
The Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) Scientific and Technical Information Network (STINET) Service helps the DoD community access pertinent scientific and technical information to meet mission needs more effectively. Public STINET gives you access to all unclassified, unlimited citations to documents added into DTIC from late December 1974 to present.
Militarily Critical Technologies (online database)
Military Casualty Information (online database)
County of Orange
OC Board of Supervisors
OC Almanac
No longer kept up, but still has useful historical information about Orange County
National Association of Counties
California Secretary of State
Information includes Ballot Pamphlets On-Line; a directory to lobbyists, lobbying firms, and lobbyist employers; campaign finance information; election and voter information and a link to the latest California Roster. For similar information related to presidential and congressional campaigns, connect to the Federal Election Commission web.
Orange County Voting
Look up polling places, request to vote my mail, track voting results, look at maps and other election data.
Federal Election Commission
Includes information on voting, elections, party fundraising, campaign finance data, and historical voter registration and turnout statistics.
League of Women Voters of California
The League’s “goal is to direct citizens to information to encourage informed political actions including voting, communicating with your elected representatives, or running for political office.”
Mapping Your Legislative District
California Voter Foundation
Links to surveys, campaign data, ballot initiatives, election links, and congressional, state assembly, and state senate district maps.
Congressional District Maps
Printable maps of each state’s Congressional Districts.
Government Printing Office
Includes searchable databases such as the Congressional Directory.
Project Vote Smart
“Project Vote Smart has compiled information on over 13,000 candidates and elected officials, including President, Congress, Governors, and State Legislators” by providing information in five areas on the candidates—Biographies, Campaign Finances, Issue Positions, Performance Evaluations, and Voting Records. Also included at this site are links to information on elections, federal and state government to keep one informed on the election process and provide an awareness of political issues.
Smart Voter
Organized by the League of Women Voters, this site not only includes a list of candidates running for State and Federal, some county, district and school offices but also a summary of some State Propositions and information on past California elections.
U.S. Senate
Official home page for the U.S. Senate with information on contacting your Senator, Senate Floor activity, hearing schedules, and an option to search for a bill from the current Congressional session.
U.S. House of Representatives
Official Web home page for the House including roll call votes, contact information for the Representatives, House schedule, committee hearings, and links to Thomas for legislative information.
U.S. Census Bureau
Includes census information on population and housing as well as the economy. There are also links to other servers which gather statistical information. Don’t miss clicking on American FactFinder! This is where information from the Census 2000 data will be released to the public over the Internet.
Census Data
View demographic and economic information about the United States and U.S. territories.
Criminal Justice Statistics Center
Compiled by the California Attorney General, this site is a great resource for crime statistics. Although the focus is on California, other links are provided for statistics on crime in the U.S. and the world.
FedStats
Links to over 70 Federal agencies which produce economic and social statistics at the federal, state, county, and local government level.
Statistical Abstract of the United States
Arranged by subject from 1878 to 2012. Information for years after 2012 is available through various organizations cited in the source notes for each table of the Statistical Abstract.
Uniform Crime Statistics (Federal Bureau of Investigation)
U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
FRED
A public online database maintained by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, providing comprehensive economic and financial information from over 700,000 datasets covering indicators such as inflation, employment, income, interest rates, and GDP.
StatsAmerica
Searchable database of community economic data describing population, demographics, employment, and development information within a specific area (neighborhood, city, county, state, or country).
The World Factbook
Published by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the World Factbook provides up-to-date information and data on the geography, demographics, government, economy, communication, transportation, military, and various other aspects of countries worldwide with comprehensive profiles for nearly every country, including maps, statistics, and detailed descriptions.
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
This site provides search options and information on patents, trademarks, and copyrights. However, prior to conducting a search in any of these databases, it is essential that you read all information pertaining to the coverage and content of the databases.
Patentscope
From the World Intellectual Property Organization, a database of international patent applications that fall under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). Also provides resources related to patents and intellectual property; topics covered include legal issues, global trends, and statistics.
