Government Documents for You

The Reference Department at the Mitchell Memorial Library, as part of our continued service, outreach, and engagement to our community has created a new LibGuide: Living in a Recession. Christine Fletcher, Judy Li, and I have created a virtual Recession Survival Skills tool-kit that provides: budget tips, gardening, finding grants and scholarships, and other public concerns.

http://guides.library.msstate.edu/Living_in_a_Recession

We will continue updating the LibGuide over the next few weeks and months as more information becomes available.

Please feel free to send us any comments or suggestions you have!

The Reference Department at the Mitchell Memorial Library has recently experienced a surge of questions from our patrons about the current economic crisis. Christine Fletcher, Judy Li, and I have created a LibGuide of resources about the crisis
http://guides.library.msstate.edu/economic_crisis

It is a collection of government, scholarly, and online resources providing the latest information about the crisis and how the government is responding to it.

We will continue updating the LibGuide over the next few weeks and months as more information becomes available.

Please feel free to send us any comments or suggestions you have!

Career Guide to Industries: 2008-09 Edition. Washington, D.C.: The Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2008. SUDOC: L 2.3/4-3:2008-09

This edition of the Career Guide to Industries contains information about 44 industries, which accounted for 3 out of 4 wage and salary jobs in 2006. This series provides valuable information from an industry perspective for people seeking employment. Here are a few of the questions that this guide seeks to answer: What kinds of workers are employed by a particular industry; what jobs are you qualified for right now; what jobs require special education or training; and what advancement opportunities do these jobs offer?

The industries are broken down in to the following categories: Natural resources, construction, and utilities; Manufacturing; Trade; Transportation and Warehousing; Information; Financial Activities; Professional and business services; Education, health care, and social services; Leisure and hospitality; Government and advocacy, grantmaking, and civic organization.

Information about each industry is broken down into sub-categories: Nature of Industry; Working Conditions; Employment; Occupations in the Industry; Training and Advancement; Earnings; and Outlook.

Searchable database: http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS4409

Also see: Occupational Outlook Handbook: 2008-09 Edition. Washington, D.C.: The Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2008.

Current edition available online: http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS51754

Archives available online: http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS4235

Gehlhaus, Diana. “What Can I Do With My Liberal Arts Degree?” Occupational Outlook Quarterly 51, no.4 (Winter 2007-08): 2-12. SUDOC: L 2.70/4:

This article offers information for college graduates holding liberal arts degrees and their available job options. There is a discussion about advantages to holding a liberal arts degree, tips on how to focus career goals, how to gain the skills needed to achieve these goals, and how to market liberal arts skills to find a job. One assertion is that hiring managers care more about a job candidate’s skills, like communication and critical thinking, than their major in college.

This document is available online: http://www.bls.gov/opub/ooq/2007/winter/art01.pdf

Current Issue for Occupational Outlook Quarterly: http://www.bls.gov/opub/ooq/ooqhome.htm

Archives for Occupational Outlook Quarterly (1999 – present): http://www.bls.gov/opub/ooq/archive.htm

Department of Veterans Affairs. VA-Guaranteed Home Loans for Veterans. Washington, D.C.: Department of Veterans Affairs, 2007. SUDOC: VA 1.19:26-4/2007

This pamphlet is designed to provide information for Veterans to obtain a guaranteed loan from Veterans Affairs. It covers issues like: How to arrange a loan; What the VA can do; Requirements for the VA loan; Application process; Loan Repayment; and other relevant information.

Veterans Affairs also has a website devoted to Loan Guaranty Service that includes up-to-date information from the federal government of current benefits and plans available for veterans. Go to the Veterans Affairs Loan Guaranty Services website at http://www.homeloans.va.gov for up-to-date information.

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) has released it newest report - "Global Trends 2025: A Transformed World." This is the 4th unclassified report from the National Intelligence Council in the past few years that gives a long-term view of the future.

**Statement from the Chairman of the National Intelligence Council**

"Global Trends 2025: A Transformed World" is the fourth unclassified report prepared by the National Intelligence Council (NIC) in recent years that takes a long-term view of the future. It offers a fresh look at how key global trends might develop over the next 15 years to influence world events. Our report is not meant to be an exercise in prediction or crystal ball-gazing. Mindful that there are many possible "futures," we offer a range of possibilities and potential discontinuities, as a way of opening our minds to developments we might otherwise miss.

Some of our preliminary assessments are highlighted below:

* The whole international system—as constructed following WWII—will be revolutionized. Not only will new players—Brazil, Russia, India and China— have a seat at the international high table, they will bring new stakes and rules of the game.

* The unprecedented transfer of wealth roughly from West to East now under way will continue for the foreseeable future.

* Unprecedented economic growth, coupled with 1.5 billion more people, will put pressure on resources—particularly energy, food, and water—raising the specter of scarcities emerging as demand outstrips supply.

* The potential for conflict will increase owing partly to political turbulence in parts of the greater Middle East.

As with the earlier NIC efforts—such as Mapping The Global Future 2020—the project's primary goal is to provide US policymakers with a view of how world developments could evolve, identifying opportunities and potentially negative developments that might warrant policy action. We also hope this paper stimulates a broader discussion of value to educational and policy institutions at home and abroad.

This and the other reports are available from
http://www.dni.gov/nic/NIC_2025_project.html

Latest Report: Global Trends 2025: A Transformed World --
http://www.dni.gov/nic/PDF_2025/2025_Global_Trends_Final_Report.pdf

Earlier Reports:

Mapping the Global Future: Report of the National Intelligence Council's 2020 Project
http://www.foia.cia.gov/2020/2020.pdf

GLOBAL TRENDS 2015: A Dialogue About the Future With Nongovernment Experts
http://www.dni.gov/nic/PDF_GIF_global/globaltrend2015.pdf

Global Trends 2010
http://www.dni.gov/nic/special_globaltrends2010.html

Post on GovDoc-L from: Greta E. Marlatt, Information Services Manager & Homeland Security Digital Library Content Manager, Dudley Knox Library, Naval Postgraduate School

U.S. - CHINA COMMISSION CITES CHINESE CYBER ATTACKS, AUTHORITARIAN RULE, AND TRADE VIOLATIONS AS IMPEDIMENTS TO U.S. ECONOMIC AND NATIONAL SECURITY INTERESTS - Year-Long Study Offers 45 Recommendations to Congress

WASHINGTON, DC (November 20, 2008) - China relies on heavy-handed government control over its economy to maintain an export advantage over other countries. The result: China has amassed nearly $2 trillion in foreign exchange and has increasingly used its hoard to manipulate currency trading and diplomatic relations with other nations. These are among the conclusions in the sixth Annual Report to Congress of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission. "Rather than use this money for the benefit of its citizens-by funding pensions and erecting hospitals and schools, for example--China has been using the funds to seek political and economic influence over other nations," said Larry Wortzel, chairman of the Commission, at the official release of the group's 2008 report to Congress on Thursday.

The bipartisan Commission, established by Congress to analyze the economic and national security relationship of the two nations, made 45 recommendations to Congress for further action. The 393-page report was unanimously approved by the 12 Commissioners. The Commission held eight hearings; travelled to China, Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan; commissioned original research; and consulted with the U.S. intellegence community.

The report acknowledges some progress by China. Its adherence to non-proliferation agreements has continued to improve. China's involvement in the Six Party Talks assisted the negotiations to dismantle North Korea's nuclear weapons production capacity. Yet China has stepped up its capacity to penetrate U.S. computer networks to extract sensitive government and private information. Beijing's "continuing arms sales and military support to rogue regimes, namely Sudan, Burma, and Iran, threaten the stability of fragile regions and hinder U.S. and international efforts to address international crises, such as the genocide in Darfur," the report notes.

The report is critical of China's use of prison labor to produce goods for export and of China's refusal, despite promises, to allow inspections of prisons by advancing the specious claim that forced labor constitutes "reeducation" rather than punishment. The Commission also notes that China's government "has created an information control regime intended to regulate nearly every venue that might transmit information to China's citizens: the print and broadcast media, the Internet, popular entertainment, cultural activities, and education."

The Commission warns Congress that fish imported into the U.S. from Chinese fish farms "pose a health risk because of the unsanitary conditions . . . including water polluted by untreated sewage; fish contaminated by bacteria, viruses, and parasites; and fish treated with antibiotics and other veterinary medicines that are banned in the United States as dangerous to human health." The Commission recommends greater powers for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The report and its key findings, analysis, and recommendations to Congress are available on the Commission's Web Site: http://www.uscc.gov/index.php

2008 Report: http://www.uscc.gov/annual_report/2008/annual_report_full_08.pdf

Post on GovDoc-L from: Michael A. Yared, Librarian, Institute for Defense Analyses

The Federal Reserve System is revamping their site with new information because of the current crisis.

Dynamic maps of Bank Card and Mortgage Delinquencies in the United States
http://data.newyorkfed.org/creditconditionsmap/

There is also a notice that the Statistical Supplement to the Federal Reserve Bulletin will cease both online and print versions at:
http://www.federalreserve.gov/pubs/supplement/default.htm

Of current topical interest is the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP)Information page at:
http://www.federalreserve.gov/bankinforeg/tarpinfo.htm

which it describes: The federal banking and thrift regulatory agencies encourage all eligible institutions to use the Treasury Department's Capital Purchase Program and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation's Temporary Liquidity Guarantee
Program. On October 14, 2008, the U.S. government announced a series of initiatives to strengthen market stability, improve the strength of financial institutions, and enhance market liquidity. Treasury announced a voluntary Capital Purchase Program to encourage U.S. financial institutions to build capital to increase the flow of financing to U.S. businesses and consumers and to support the U.S. economy. Under the program, Treasury will purchase up to $250 billion of senior preferred shares on standardized terms."

Post on GovDoc-L from: Sande Borders, Documents Librarian, Los Angeles Public Library

The DOD Business Transform Agency (BTA) has posted its newest version of its "Enterprise Transition Plan." This plan incorporates the transition plans of Military Services, Components and the DoD Enterprise. This plan provides a roadmap for DOD to achieve it business transformation goals.

The 2008 Enterprise Transition Plan is available at:
http://www.defenselink.mil/dbt/products/2008_BEA_ETP/Sept2008/Data/September_2008_ETP.pdf

For more information on the ETP as well as links to more information on the BEA (Business Enterprise Architecture) and LRP (Laws, Regulations and Policies) go to:
http://www.defenselink.mil/dbt/products/2008_BEA_ETP/Sept2008/ETP.html

For earlier reports go to:
http://www.defenselink.mil/dbt/products/2008_BEA_ETP/Sept2008/ETP-Archive.html

Post on GovDoc-L from: Greta E. Marlatt, Information Services Manager & Homeland Security Digital Library Content Manager, Dudley Knox Library, Naval Postgraduate School

The General Accountability Office (GAO) has launched a new transition website intended to help make the transition an informed and smooth one.

The website can be found at http://www.gao.gov/transition_2009/

The 13 urgent issues they identified are as follows and are in alphabetic order not priority order:

* Caring for Service Members
* Defense Readiness
* Defense Spending
* Food Safety
* Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan
* Oversight of Financial Institutions and Markets
* Preparing for Large-Scale Health Emergencies
* Protecting the Homeland
* Public Diplomacy and International Broadcasting
* Retirement of the Space Shuttle
* Surface Transportation
* The 2010 Census
* Transition to Digital TV

The website also includes sections on:
* Agency-by-Agency Issues
* Major Cost-Saving Opportunities
* Management Challenges Across the Government
* Long-Term Fiscal Outlook
* Examples of Upcoming GAO reports on Major National Issues


Post on GovDoc-L from: Greta E. Marlatt, Information Services Manager & Homeland Security Digital Library Content Manager, Dudley Knox Library, Naval Postgraduate School

The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis has a website, Liber8, that provides access to the world of economic data and information. The "Featured Resource" section updates content with each Liber8 newsletter. Browsing menus lets users search by subject or source. The new map links you directly to GeoFred, where users can create data maps for employment, labor force, and more.

GeoFRED http://geofred.stlouisfed.org
1. Users can create multiple maps with the same data for all available years, months, and quarters. For instance, a user can create a .pdf of unemployment by state that includes the data for the past ten years.
2. Users can now download all the data available for the economic indicators in GeoFRED.
3. Users can define for themselves the class intervals (that is, the data ranges) to suit their needs.
4. Users now have the ability to save a map to their personal account.

Also check out the new content at their FRASER site: http://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Statistical Atlas of the United States 1914
Statistical releases - H.6 completed 1976-1999, G.17 1990-1997
Descriptions of Federal Reserve Districts (decentennial) 1922-1998
Industrial Production and Capacity Utilization

Post on GovDoc-L from: Katrina Stierholz, Director of Library and Research Information Services, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

State of Minority Business in America. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency, 2007.
SUDOC: C 1.102:M 66/4

This hand held disc provides information on minority businesses in America in the year 2007, with information for every state. Spinning the disc allows users to find out information on: Total Number of Minority Firms, Gross Receipts, and Number of Paid Employees. Also included are statistics on the following ethnic groups: Black or African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Hispanic or Latino, and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander.

For more information go to: http://www.mbda.gov/

The Thurgood Marshall Law Library has recently added two timely Congressional Research Service (CRS) research summaries to its Special Collections & Digital Projects collection. The Cost of Government Financial Interventions, Past and Present and Proposal to Allow Treasury to Buy Mortgage-Related Assets to Address Financial Instability have been written in response to the financial turmoil occurring in the United States financial markets.

The Cost of Financial Interventions, Past and Present attempts to answer questions about the recent financial interventions by the government in the business of private corporations. Sources of funding and the costs to the taxpayer are discussed. The AIG, Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac, and Bear Stearns cases are used as examples. A table of a Summary of Current and Historical Financial Interventions by the Federal Government is also supplied.
Available on the Internet:
http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/crsreports/crsdocuments/RS22965_09232008.pdf

Proposal to Allow Treasury to Buy Mortgage-Related Assets to Address Financial Instability explains Treasury Secretary Paulsen's [draft of 9/21/2008] plan for legislative authorization to allow direct intervention in the economy. This report analyzes the proposals by answering frequently asked questions.
Available on the Internet:
http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/crsreports/crsdocuments/RS22957_09222008.pdf

Post on GovDoc-L from: Bill Sleeman, Assistant Director for Technical Services,
Thurgood Marshall Law Library, The University of Maryland School of Law

OpenCRS.com provides a directory of websites where you can find almost 4,000 CRS reports. Included in the directory is the National Council for Science and the Environment, Federation of American Scientists, Thurgood Marshall Law Library/University of Maryland School of Law, National Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism, and the Center for Democracy & Technology.

This website is available at: http://opencrs.com/

The Government Documents Department at the University of North Texas, in collaboration with the University of Texas and Oklahoma State University, also has CRS reports available to the public.

This collection is available at: http://digital.library.unt.edu/govdocs/crs/

**Description taken from the Thurgood Marshall Law Library website**

The Congressional Research Service, an arm of the Library of Congress, serves the legislative process by providing Congress with non-partisan and in-depth legislative research and analysis on a variety of topics. CRS produces or updates more than 3,000 studies and other publications each year, none of which are distributed to the public. Because CRS reports are created using public money and are not readily accessible to the research community, the Thurgood Marshall Law Library has created an online collection in the subject areas of Homeland Security/Terrorism and Health Law and Policy.

http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/crsreports/index.html?AlphaStart=R

Effects of Gasoline Prices on Driving Behavior and Vehicle Markets. U.S. Congressional Budget Office, January 2008.
SUDOC: Y 10.2:G 21/5

**Excerpt from Preface**

Consumers in the past have not responded very much to small fluctuations in the price of gasoline. The recent large increases have led many people to make adjustments in the way they drive and in the kinds of vehicles they buy. This CBO report relates rising gasoline prices to changes in how fast people drive, the volume of highway traffic, and rail transit ridership. It also examines the effects on market shares, fuel economy, and pricing of cars and light trucks purchased over the past several years. This study provides an indication of the kinds of adjustments consumers will make if gasoline prices continue to rise, and of the implications of rising gasoline prices for policies that would discourage gasoline consumption and thus limit the growth in carbon dioxide emissions. As part of the CBO’s mandate, this is an objective, impartial analysis that makes no recommendations. The study is broken down into four sections: Gasoline Prices and Driving Behavior, Gasoline Prices and Vehicle Markets, Study Data, and Analytical Approach and Econometric Results.

Available on the Internet:
http://cdm266301.cdmhost.com/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/p266401coll4&CISOPTR=1787