Profile
Gateways to Statistics
- Statistical Abstract of the United States This link opens in a new windowProbably the single most useful published collection of statistical information on virtually all aspects of life in the United States. And it usually directs you to the originally-published sources of data for more in-depth coverage.
Earlier editions also are available online from the Census Bureau. Printed copies (1878-2011) are available in the library's Reference collection.
- Statista1 million statistics from over 18,000 sources (including both national and international data) ranging from agriculture to media & marketing and consumer & demographic data; also includes company dossiers and Industry Reports
- ProQuest Statistical Insight This link opens in a new window
Contains references to tens of thousands of data sources from the U.S. Federal Government, U.S. state governments, international intergovernmental organizations, and private sector groups, such as trade and professional associations.
U.S. Federal Government
These are tools for finding information from the Congress and Executive agencies of the U.S. Federal Government.
- GovInfoOfficial Government Publishing Office database provides access to hundreds of thousands of Federal Government documents, dating back to the 18th century.
- U.S. Federal Government Watchdog AgenciesThese agencies of the U.S. Federal Government are considered reliable, non-partisan research resources, especially for analyses of government programs and policies.
- Congress.govMaintained by the Library of Congress, this is the "official source for federal legislative information."
- ProQuest Congressional This link opens in a new window
This is almost certainly the most comprehensive database of Congressional publications, some dating back as far as the late 1700's. Includes the complete texts of hearings and most other documents. An interesting sub-set of the database provides legislative histories. (Law Library subscription.)
- U.S. Census BureauPreeminent source of free data in several areas -- population, business and economics, income and poverty, housing, voting registration, and much more. Good starting points include the "Browse by Topic" and "Explore Data" tabs.
U. S. Supreme Court -- Texts of Decisions and Opinions
- Supreme Court of the United StatesOfficial Court site includes easy access to recent (2008- ) decisions, plus PDF's of the earlier bound volumes of U.S. Reports, the definitive "generation" of Court opinions.
- HeinOnline -- U.S. Supreme Court LibraryW&L Law School subscription includes U.S. Reports, slip opinions, and more.
- Cornell University Legal Information InstituteThe "Supreme Court" section of this law school site includes decisions, topic groupings, etc.
- OyezParticularly noteworthy for audio of oral arguments, although printed opinions are also available. (Northwestern University)
U.S. State and Local Government Information
The W&L University Library Web site includes collected links to state and local governments, and the professional associations of people who work in these governments.