Consumer News

Free Access To Government Documents Online

Posted: 6/8/2011

Collections of government information are now available free online. They include congressional materials, presidential publications and federal agency resources.

(NAPSI)—Increasingly, if a document exists, chances are good that at least some form of it may also be available online.

This trend is not limited to popular magazine articles, academic journals or libraries. For example, it’s possible to access official federal government publications free online.

Known as “America’s Authentic Government Information,” the Government Printing Office’s (GPO) Federal Digital System—called FDsys—is designed to benefit the American public by enhancing its access to information.

With FDsys, consumers can:

• Search for documents and publications—GPO’s FDsys provides advanced search capabilities and the ability to refine and narrow a search for quick access to the information you need.

• Browse for documents and publications—The system offers browsing by collection, congressional committee and date.

• Access background information about documents and publications—Information is presented about government publications in standard XML formats.

• Download documents and publications in multiple renditions or file formats—With FDsys, it’s possible to download a single file or download content and metadata packaged together in a compressed file.

If you find a publication on FDsys that you wish to purchase, navigate to the “More Information” page for that publication and click on “Purchase your own copy.” If it is available for purchase, that link will take you directly to the publication on GPO’s Online Bookstore website.

The GPO provides publishing and dissemination services for the official and authentic government publications to Congress, federal agencies, federal depository libraries and the American public.

To learn more, visit the website at www.fdsys.gov.