The document is a presentation by Sonnet Ireland, head of federal documents at the Earl K. Long Library at the University of New Orleans, discussing how to access and utilize government information and resources effectively for libraries and schools. It provides practical tips for finding government documents using the GPO catalog, Google searches with specific parameters, and lists various free resources available for educators. The session aims to demystify government documents and broaden their use for students, teachers, and parents.

1. From Gov Docs to Fun D  cs! Using Government Information to Enhance your Library and School Sonnet Ireland Head of Federal Documents Earl K. Long Library University of New Orleans LASL Midwinter March 3 , 2012

2. Who are you? I'm the Head of Federal Documents for the Earl K. Long Library at the University of New Orleans. We've been a depository since 1963, and we have a 93% selection rate. That means that we receive 93% of what the government puts out.

3. What are you going to teach us? Today, you are going to learn how to access government information/resources that suit the needs of your students! Some of these resources are even great for the school or parents.

4. Why are you showing this to us? Because the term "Government Documents" terrifies even the bravest of librarians... But it shouldn't! This stuff is easy to find and use!

5. Who can we use this for? Everyone! That's the beauty of government information...there's so much of it! You can use gov info for... And much, much, MUCH more…

6. How can we access this great stuff? Easily! Today, you will learn... How to find great stuff in the GPO catalog How to find great stuff through Google How to order FREE materials from a variety of places Which sites to use as your go-to resources

7. 1. How to find great stuff in the GPO Catalog First, go to Catalog.gpo.gov Then search for terms like... Coloring or Activities or Kids Then limit to Internet Publications

8. 1. How to find great stuff in the GPO Catalog Limiting to Internet Publications guarantees that you will be able to access these great resources. However, if you see something you like that isn't available online, you can call your local depositories to see if they have it. Then you can come in and scan or copy it.

9. 2. How to find great stuff through Google Go to Google.com to search for resources with terms like... Kids site:.gov or kids activities site:.gov or Louisiana kids site:.gov or New Orleans Kids site:.gov

10. 2. How to find great stuff through Google Interested in a certain age range? Try substituting kids for... Teens site:.gov or grades k-3 site:.gov or tweens site:.gov or preteens site:.gov

11. 2. How to find great stuff through Google What's with all the site:.gov, you ask? This is a limiter in Google that search specifically for websites that are .gov, as opposed to .com. You can do a broad search for government information with site:.gov. You can also search specific government sites with this function: Like site:state.gov for the U.S. Department of State.

12. 2. How to find great stuff through Google Looking for something more specific? Try searches like... Kids NASA site:.gov or kids site:nasa.gov or kids epa site:.gov or Kids site:epa.gov

13. 2. How to find great stuff through Google Need ideas for which agencies have the best sites? Try... National Aeronautics and Space Administration Environmental Protection Agency Federal Bureau of Investigation Centers for Disease Control Central Intelligence Agency U.S. Dept of Agriculture

14. 2. How to find great stuff through Google Another great way to search? Using .org. These sites aren't always reliable (think Wikipedia), but many are (like PBS). Use the same terms you used for the .gov searches, just substitute .gov with .org.

15. 3. How to order FREE stuff You wouldn't believe how easy it is. Many sites (.govs and .orgs) offer FREE materials to schools. I kid you not! Here are some of my favorites...

16. 3. How to order FREE stuff Publications.USA.gov Store.SAMHSA.gov C-SpanClassroom.org

17. 4. Go-to Resources: .gov Ben's Guide to U.S. Government for Kids bensguide.gpo.gov Library of Congress: Kids and Families www.loc.gov/families Kids.gov Kids.clerk.house.gov usa.gov/Topics/Teens.shtml www.FindYouthInfo.gov

18. 4. Go-to Resources: Specific .govs StopBullying.gov/kids Teens.drugabuse.gov Ready.gov/kids Read.gov/kids USmint.gov/kids SolarSystem.nasa.gov/kids

19. 4. Go-to Resources: Louisiana .gov Louisiana.gov Kids' Page louisiana.gov/Explore/Kids_Page/ Mary Landrieu Kids Corner landrieu.senate.gov/kidscorner/ Secretary of State's Louisiana Coloring Book www.sos.la.gov/Portals/0/allaroundla/coloringbook/color/

20. 4. Go-to Resources: .org KidsHealth.org PBSKids.org Kids.JDRF.org KidsClick.org (SLIS @ Kent State University)

21. 4. Go-to Resources... Shameless Self-Promotion... Gov Info 4 Schools govinfo4schools.blogspot.com Federal Documents @ Earl K. Long Library feddocs.blogspot.com Twitter: @feddocs

22. Thank you! Sonnet Ireland Head of Federal Documents Earl K. Long Library, University of New Orleans [email_address] http:// www.linkedin.com/in/sonnet And again.... Gov Info 4 Schools govinfo4schools.blogspot.com Federal Documents @ Earl K. Long Library feddocs.blogspot.com Twitter: @feddocs and @sonnetireland