Government Information on the Internet: A Primer
Increasingly, intergovernmental organizations (IGOs), national governments, and non-governmental organizations are using the World Wide Web to disseminate information. In some cases, Internet distribution has replaced print distribution. In other cases, resources never before available in print are available on the WWW. The result is expanded access to government information worldwide, and new challenges for information professionals who provide reference service.
This web site is designed as
starting point for locating government information. The site has a several components.
- Lists of commonly used sites identified by IFLA/GIOPS members. These sites include major IGOs, sources for treaties and constitutions, commonly requested statistical sources, etc.
- To find organizations not listed on our pages, we have included links to "locator sites" and suggested strategies for locating additional sites,
- Information on general WWW search engines and how to obtain translations.
As you use the WWW keep in mind that:
- Not all sites provide the same types of information. Many sites only provide summaries or excerpts from sales publications.
- Not all sites are "free". In some cases you may be required to register and pay a fee to access part or all of a site.
- National Governments -- This page includes links to key locator sites for national ministries and bureaus, embassies and diplomatic missions, and parliaments.
- Multi-National Organizations -- This page includes links to locator sites, major
IGOs, regional IGOs, and a key access point for non-governmental organizations.
- Treaties, Constitutions, & Legal Resources -- This page includes links to a site prepared by
IFLA/GIOPS members that has a large collection of national constitutions and treaties, as well as key locator sites for national and international law.
- Statistical Resources -- This page includes links to key
statistical publications and data sets on the web, as well as some key locator sites.
- News Sources -- This page includes a list of locator sites and specialized resources for Eastern European, Russian, and Western Europe.
Please send comments and suggestions about these pages to
Government Information and Official Publications section.
