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Overview
Local and regional government information is essential to government workers, corporate researchers, students, and many other citizens, but finding a city ordinance or a county report can be a daunting experience. This unique, timesaving, and easy-to-use reference guide offers strategies for locating local and regional government information, including what to look for, how and where to search, and what to expect.
Leading users through the labyrinth of records and reports available from a wide variety of sources, this guide provides tips on how to use sources effectively and efficiently in real-world research.
An accessible overview covers the different types of government documents, how local governments are organized, and how to contact government agencies and archives. The guide also describes the major general indexes and bibliographies covering local government information, including the Index to Current Urban Documents and the BRB Public Record Research System. Whether researching census records, looking up local laws and regulations, or determining eligibility for government assistance, this reference offers indispensable assistance.
Editorials
From the Publisher
"[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."
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MBR Bookwatch
"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."
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Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin
"[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."
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Reference & Research Book News
"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."
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Choice