Government Documents

Mission Statement:

The primary mission within Milner Library’s Federal Depository Collection is to collect, organize, preserve and provide free and unimpeded public access to United States government resources in support of Illinois State University's mission and curricular needs.

As a unit within Milner Library, we also strive to serve the informational needs of the general public and the 15th Congressional District communities. A strong emphasis is also given to teaching library skills to help create an informed and educated citizenry.

About the Milner Government Information collection:

The Federal Depository Collection primarily resides on the Social Sciences floor of the library. Milner Library has served as a selective Federal Depository for government information dating from 1858-1862, and from 1877 to the present. As a depository we provide free, public access to government information to all members of the community. We also serve as a state depository for Illinois government resources.

As a Federal Depository Library we are required to follow policies and procedures consistent with federal depository regulations including posting  discard lists to other Illinois federal depositories.

History of Government Information at Illinois State University:  

Milner Library has served as a selective Federal Depository for government information dating from 1858-1862, and from 1877 to the present.

The depository has played an important role in the history of the university; over half of the original holdings of the University Library in 1858 consisted of government publications donated by local legislators, Senators Stephen Douglas and Lyman Trumball, and Representative Owen Lovejoy, who also designated the University Library a Federal Depository. Following the Civil War, when our designation was lost, Senator (and former Illinois governor) Richard Oglesby redesignated the University as a depository for government information.

As a result of our historic background, we have many primary resources dating to mid-nineteenth century. Additionally we have resources dating to the founding of our nation.

Government Documents Librarian
Angela Bonnell,

(309) 438-2354