Government Documents

Noel Memorial Library is a selective depository for U.S. and a full depository for Louisiana government documents. 

These publications provide information useful in many fields, including business, economics, education, health & medicine, history, law, science, and social policy. They come in many formats including paper, microfiche, maps, videos, CD/DVDs and Internet files.

All of the library's government documents are shelved on the second floor. Research Services librarians provide assistance with identifying, locating, and using documents housed in Noel Library or provided on the Internet. 

Government Documents do not circulate, however, photocopiers and digital scanners are available.  Copies cost 10 cents per page. 

Noel Library has been a Congressionally-designated participant in the Federal Depository Library Program since 1967.  It is a selective depository which means we choose the series of documents we wish to receive. Selections are made based primarily on the curriculum of the University, then on areas of public interest.

U.S. Government documents are searchable via the library's online catalog.

Most federal documents are arranged by the Superintendent of Documents Classification System (SuDocs) which groups publications by authoring agency.  A detailed explanation of this system can be found on the Federal Depository Library website. 

Not all of our documents collection is represented in our catalog so checking the shelf once one has the appropriate SuDoc number may be necessary if not otherwise accounted for. Some documents have been integrated into the circulating, reference and/or periodical collections so those should be readily found in the OPAC with their location specified.

Noel Memorial Library is one of more than 40 libraries participating in the Louisiana Public Document Depository Program, the purpose of which is to ensure free and public access to state agency documents.  It is a full depository which means we receive one of every agency publication for which there are enough copies to distribute to all members. 

Louisiana Documents are also searchable via the library's online catalog.

State publications cover a wide range of topics from agriculture to vital statistics.  Louisiana Documents are arranged by two different classification systems. Documents prior to 2014 are arranged in the Louisiana Documents Classification System which resembles the SuDocs system used for Federal documents. Documents from 2014 to present are arranged by the Louisiana Documents Classification Number (LADN) which indicates the subject matter of the publication.

The Louisiana Administrative Code mandates that a core collection of the most essential and basic state documents be available to all citizens to meet information requirements.