Local and Regional Government Information

Subjects:

• Political Science » State & Local Politics
• Library & Information Science » Information Science
• Library & Information Science » Library & Information Science (General)

Reviews:

• Locating the unique and valuable publications produced by local governments (e.g., land use documents, maps, local budgets) can offer significant challenges to information professionals. Martin, the author of articles on government documents and a member of ALA's Government Documents Roundtable, here offers substantial assistance....Recommended. Graduate students, researchers, and professionals/practitioners.
  —Choice September 2005
• [M]artin provides a framework for understanding how local governments in the US are organized, how they produce information, where the information may be stored, and how to go about finding and using it in a world where, as librarians know, everything isn't online. The reference covers big-pictures issues such as uncovering information on municipal and county codes, demographics, education, budgets and taxes, the environment, courts and criminals, loans and financial assistance, and other topics.
  —Reference & Research Book News August 2005
• [P]rovides an easily-used reference to the basics of locating local and regional government information, from what to look for to what to expect in results. From legal codes and court records to police reports and school and zoning records, the maze of government agencies and information holdings are compiled into chapters with easy headings for quick consultation. Certain to be a lasting reference, Local and Regional Government Information provides exact steps on locating and using all kinds of government information for many different agencies.
  —MBR Bookwatch June 2005
• This well-designed research guide will be a welcome addition to the reference collections of librarians, students, and citizen researchers. Editor Martin manages to pack a ton of information into a compact and readable text. Liberal use of white space, clear chapter and section divisions, and a commonsense writing style make it a pleasure to use....A reference guide that is both informative and pleasurable to read is a rare bird, especially when the subject is on the dry side. Researchers using Local and Regional Government Information will be happy to find that it is one of those rare birds. It is also a steal at $65. Highly recommended for any library serving folks who seek government information at the local and regional level.
  —Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin July 1, 2005

Table of Contents:

• List of Illustrations
• Access to Local Governmental Information
• Forms of Local Government Structure
• Municipal, County, and Regional Governmental Archives
• Finding Local Government Information in General Indexes and Bibliographies
• Finding Information on Municipal and County Codes
• Finding Local Government Administrative Sources
• Finding Information on Local Courts
• Finding Local Census Information
• Local Government Resources on Genealogy
• Finding Information on Local Health Services
• Finding Information on Crime and Criminals
• Finding Local Government Map Resources
• Finding Information on Parks and Museums
• How to Find Local Governmental Information on Education
• How to Find Local Governmental Environmental Information
• Planning and Zoning
• Finding Information on Transportation and Public Works
• Budgets, Taxes, Revenue Sources
• Small Business Loans, Grants, and Financial Assistance