Federal Documents

The Mississippi Library Commission is a designated Federal Documents Depository Library and maintains a collection of federal publications focusing primarily on agriculture, education, census data, and labor statistics. 

Federal documents are cataloged using the SuDocs classification system and are located in the documents area on the second floor.  Documents chosen for their reference or general interest may be assigned Dewey Decimal Classification numbers and housed in the reference or general collection.  All cataloged documents can be accessed through the Commission's Resource Library Catalog, the Statewide Virtual Union Catalog, and OCLC’s WorldCat database.  In addition, web links to a variety of online federal document resources are maintained.

The library is open to the general public during normal agency hours Monday – Friday, 8 am – 5 pm except state holidays.  Anyone 17 or older may visit the library and use the resources.  Those under 17 must be accompanied by an adult unless special prior arrangements are made by contacting the Director of Library Servcies Bureau at 601-432-4124.  Public access computers are located throughout the library with access to electronic resources and the Internet. The library also provides wireless Internet access. Users are required to adhere to agency requirements concerning proper use of the Internet. Assistive devices, such as Jaws and CCTV equipment, are available within the library.

Most materials are available for interlibrary loan and individuals with a valid Mississippi Library Commission library card are eligible to check out circulating items in person.  Photocopy machines are available throughout the library.  Reference staff are available to assist users in locating material and in using resources.  In addition, individuals and library staff may submit requests for information to the reference staff via phone, fax, email, or mail. Staff will research the question and respond in a timely manner.

An ongoing review of the documents collection is conducted. Superseded items and dated items are removed following the Federal Depository Library Program requirements and the guidelines provided by the Regional Depository Librarian at the University of Mississippi. 

If you have questions regarding reference services, or wish to submit a reference request, please contact us via email, phone, or fax.

                                   E-mail: mlcref@mlc.lib.ms.us
                                   Phone: 601-432-4492
                                   Fax: 601-432-4478
                                   Toll Free: 1-877-KWIK-REF (1-877-594-5733)

                                   Blog and Chat Reference: http://mlcref.blogspot.com

For information about the depository program, contact:

                                    Lawrence Smith, Patent Librarian

                                    Phone: 601-432-4120

                                    Email:   lwmith@mlc.lib.ms.us

Updated: 1/13/2012