Government Information
Welcome to Portland State Library Government Information Collections. Our physical collections are located on the fourth floor of Millar Library and include official documents from federal, state, and local sources as well as a variety of atlases and maps. Additional local, state and federally-produced government documents are found throughout the general collection, and links to full-text digital documents available 24/7 online.
Related Guides
Didn’t find what you were looking for?
Try these basic search tools, or ask a Portland State librarian for assistance.
You might also try the Government Information Online website.
PSU as Federal Depository Library
The Library offers a wealth of information created by Federal agencies such as the Dept. of Commerce, Dept. of Housing and Urban Development, and Dept of Transportation, as well as select Congressional Commissions, Committees, and Boards. These print and microfiche publications are complemented by a growing number of publications available electronically. The depository collection is open to the general public for research.
PSU has served as a federal depository library since 1965, a regional depository library from 1973 through October 2008, and now shares regional responsibility with the Oregon State Library, University of Oregon, and Oregon State University. For more information on how Oregon libraries work together to serve the state, see “Federal Depository Program” at OSL. For details of how collection responsibilities are divided, see the Oregon Regional Federal Depository Collection Holdings List Summary – By Library
Regional, State, and Local Government Information
Portland State is part of the Oregon Documents Repository Program and retains relevant materials for its collection both in print and linked online. You can find traditional regional, state and local publications such as pamphlets, books, and technical reports by searching the Library’s online catalog. For more information and research options, see:
- Pacific Northwest State and Local Resources guide maintained by University of Washington Libraries
- Regional, State and Local Resources (part of the Government Information Research Guide)
Hanford Collection & Public Comment Documents
Since 1993, the Portland State Library has made available for public view the Hanford Collection on the Hanford Site clean up efforts. Occasionally, other publicly and privately held organizations request comments from citizens whose lives will be affected by their activities.
Maps
The Map Collection at Portland State University contains a variety of maps, including atlases, topographic maps, 3-D relief maps, land management maps, federal maps, flood insurance maps (“FIRM Maps”), aeronautical and nautical charts, geological maps, thematic maps, and historic (facsimile) maps. Most of these items are discoverable through the PSU Library Catalog, and and others can be identified through the finding aid in the Maps guide. Maps are stored in three locations: A public area on the north side of the basement (near the restrooms); in a secured room in the basement; and off site. To access materials in the secured room or off site, please contact library staff for assistance.