In the morning of December 7, 1941, United States Naval and military forces in Hawaii were attacked by Japanese bombers, sustaining tremendous losses of both life and equipment. It was this attack that caused the US to enter World War II.
Four years later, after Japan’s defeat, Congress set out to “make a full and complete investigation of the facts relating to the events and circumstances leading up to or following the attack.” (S. Con. Res. 27, 79th Cong.). The Joint Committee on the Investigation of the Pearl Harbor Attack was formed to determine whether or not anything could or should have been done to prevent the attacks and to suggest ways to prevent similar attacks in the future. These hearings ran from November, 1945- May 1946.
Copies of the hearings are available this month in the Government Documents Alcove. They include testimony and copies of documents relevant to the hearings. They cannot be checked out, but they can be read in the library and copied.
Please stop by the Government Information office if you need assistance.
Posted: 6:06 pm, November 6th, 2009.
Filed under: Uncategorized by mfairfield
| | No Comments »
If you are studying Education, both the federal and state governments provide an enormous amount of useful information and tools. Whether you are looking for data about education, or looking for teaching aids, government documents can help you out.
The United States Department of Education provides data, facts, reports, statistics, and other helpful information on schools from preschool through college. Some of these documents are available online all the way back to 1980. For information that is not available online, check the TCU Library catalog or take a look at the Government documents stacks. The SuDoc stem for USDE is ED.
The Texas Education Agency provides similar information for the State of Texas. Information not found online might be found in the catalog or in the Texas Documents Collection. The call numbers for these documents begin with E.
Many other agencies create educational kits and programs for use in the classroom on a wide variety of topics. Most can be found in the catalog.
If you need help finding what you are looking for, please stop by the office. We will be more than hapy to help you.
Posted: 4:52 pm, November 6th, 2009.
Filed under: Subjects by mfairfield
| | No Comments »
Each year just after the budget is released, Congress receives the Economic Report of the President. It includes not only information about the activities of the Council of Economic Advisors, but also goals, trends, and objectives on a variety of economic topics.
For example, this year’s report includes economic data regarding housing markets, the environment, open trade, tax policy, entitlement spending, education and labor, and more.
The Economic Report of the President from 1995 on can be read online via GPO Access: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/eop/
These and earlier editions are available at the library. The latest edition is located at the IC desk. The rest will be located in the Government Alcove during October.
Posted: 10:03 am, October 5th, 2009.
Filed under: Collection highlight by mfairfield
| | No Comments »
When Members of Congress, Presidents, and Supreme Court Justices pass away they are remembered in Congress with memorial addresses. These addresses are compiled in book form along with memorial services and biographies.
This is a great resource for those studying a particular person as they provide insight into the public lives and accomplishments of the departed. Moreover, they show as few other resources can that it is possible for people to feel respect even for those with whom they disagree.
Many of these volumes are located in the Government Alcove this month and are available for check out.
Posted: 1:50 pm, September 9th, 2009.
Filed under: Collection highlight by mfairfield
| | No Comments »
Government information can be a terrific resource for many Art, English, Music, and Dance assignments. Sometimes it is necessary for students in these subjects to have insight into the cultural and political attitudes of a particular time in history. Newspapers and magazines are great for this, but so are government publications.
Congress holds hearings on any topic imaginable. Federal agencies distribute pamphlets, bulletins, and other materials on issues that are of interest to citizens. Laws are passed. Treaties are signed. Each of these things provides a window to the past, allowing the humanities student to grasp what life might have been like at any point in history.
So…. next time you need to understand how a piece of art, literature, music, or dance fits into the big picture, contact the Government Information office. You will likely be glad you did.
Posted: 10:36 am, August 14th, 2009.
Filed under: Subjects by mfairfield
| | No Comments »
Betcha thought all government documents were nothing but a bunch of boring papers. Maybe a book if an agency is feeling particularly daring. If so, you’re not alone. You’re also completely wrong.
The government publishes so much more. I’m not just talking maps, either. Nor am I referring the millions of paper documents released in online or microfiche versions. I’m not even talking about CD ROMs or DVDs (although they make those, too). I’m talking useful, sometimes even fun, stuff.
There are special documents for children that include story books and coloring books.
Several agencies create educational aids such as posters, curriculum guides, and teaching kits.
Some statistical data is released in chart or mechanical wheel form.
There are even puzzles, viewfinders, and refrigerator magnets.
Some of these items will be featured this month in the Government Alcove. Many can even be checked out. Make sure to come by and take a look.
Posted: 2:15 pm, August 7th, 2009.
Filed under: Collection highlight by mfairfield
| | No Comments »
Most people are surprised to find out that government documents include more than the Congressonal Record and the United States Code. To the contrary, the Government Information Collection contains official publications of government agencies from the Department of Agriculture to the Veterans Affairs Department. Materials on practically any subject imaginable can be found in the documents stacks.
For example, the government publishes an abundance of health information. Statistics, nutrition information, details about diseases, lesson plans, videos, and instruction kits are only some of the things you find in Government Information. Not only can you find the most up to date information available, but you can find historical data as well.
Next time you need reliable, official health information, remember to check the Government Information Collection.
Posted: 3:09 pm, July 10th, 2009.
Filed under: Subjects by mfairfield
| | No Comments »
The House Un-American Activities Committee, or HUAC, was active from 1938-1969. Its purpose was to investigate organizations and individuals believed to be or associate with Communists. HUAC had a great deal of power, and could subpoena witnesses and pressure them with the threat of being held in contempt of Congress.
This era is sometimes referred to as the “Red Scare” and involved such notable incidents as the trial of Alger Hiss and the Hollywood Blacklist. The committee is often thought to have inspired Joseph McCarthy of the Senate to use similar tactics in conducting his famous hearings.
The hearings of the House Un-American Activities Committee are available for check-out and can be found this month in the Government Alcove.
Posted: 1:02 pm, June 30th, 2009.
Filed under: Collection highlight by mfairfield
| | No Comments »
