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Government Information

This guide covers the basics of finding and using government documents and provides links to various governmental and public resources.

Search the library catalogue:

Note: Since government information has been increasingly available online since the early 2000's, the items in the library catalogue tend to be older.  Use the links in the "Online Government Information" tab to search for more recent government information. 

  • A search on the BU Library Catalogue (One Stop Search) will return various forms of government information. The items will appear in your result list along with all other items that match your search.

  • You can refine your search by scrolling to Author/Creator in the left hand column and selecting items that are published by relevant government departments or agencies (these usually include the term Canada or the names of provinces or local governments). 

  • Items may be shelved in areas throughout the Library, including Main, Music, Reference, Oversize, Pamphlet File, and Reserve.
  • Not all government information in the BU Library is listed in the Catalogue. For example, print statutes (laws) and their regulations, are located in the North Stacks but are not found in a catalogue search. 
  • Laws, Bills, Statutes, and Regulations are unlikely to be located by searching their specific titles, even if they are in the BU Library. When you search for a specific law or bill, the results are more likely to be items ABOUT that law or bill, not the law or bill itself.
  • The Find a Law Tab of this Guide is a good place to search for specific laws. 
  • Please contact me if you cannot find the government information you need.