Washington and Lee University
Annual Review Of Political Science (Info)
Connect to: Annual Review of Political Science
| Producer: | Annual Reviews | |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | Annually-published overview/synthesis of important topics in the study of politics and public policy issues. Articles from 1998 to date are available online. Additional | |
| Usage Tips: | Browse You may browse through the contents of recent volumes by clicking on the dates (in blue) on the left side of the screen.
Search You may search for terms appearing in articles by using the "Quick Search" option, in the middle of the page. (More complex searching is available in the "Advanced Search" option. Combining Terms You may search for articles containing two or more terms by combining them with the word "AND." Example: reform AND electoral Phrase You may search for a multi-word phrase by enclosing the terms in quotations marks. Example: "latin america" | |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | Politics -- American Politics Politics -- Elections and Voting Politics -- Legal and Constitutional Politics -- Foreign and International Politics -- Congressional Research Politics -- General Latin American and Caribbean Studies | |
Connect to: Congressional Record
| Producer: | U.S. Government Printing Office | |
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| Description: | According to the Library of Congress, "The official records of House and Senate actions are kept in their respective journals, but a fuller record of proceedings is kept in the Congressional Record, which has been published by the Government Printing Office (GPO) since 1873."
Printed copies of the CR may be found in Leyburn Library's U.S. Government Depository collection. | |
| Usage Tips: | The above link connects to the commercially-published ProQuest Congressional database, which is available only to W&L users. Here is help with searching, printing, and more in ProQuest Congressional. W&L researchers also have online access to an ever-growing collection of historical and current issues through HeinOnline, which now includes the compete "bound" CR volumes back to 1873, as well as its predecessors (Congressional Globe, Register of Debates, Annals of Congress) back to 1789. All researchers have free access to the U.S. Government Printing Office's FDsys and the Library of Congress's Thomas database. Here is an excellent overview of the CR and its predecessors. Before 1873, records of Congressional proceedings were kept under various titles -- Annals of Congress, Register of Debates, and Congressional Globe -- all of which are accessible in the Library of Congress's Century of Lawmaking site. Here is information on the component parts of the Congressional Record. | |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | Government -- U.S. Federal Politics -- Congressional Research | |
Congressional Research Service (Info)
Connect to: Congressional Research Service
| Producer: | Washington and Lee University Library | |
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| Description: | A collection of sites which provide CRS reports, which are very useful for research on public policy, political and social issues, etc. | |
| Usage Tips: | The LexisNexis subscription service probably is the most comprehensive of these collections. | |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | Government -- U.S. Federal Politics -- American Politics Politics -- Elections and Voting Politics -- Legal and Constitutional Politics -- Foreign and International Politics -- Congressional Research | |
Google Search -- Think Tanks And Public Policy Groups (Info)
Connect to: Google Search -- Think Tanks and Public Policy Groups
| Producer: | Washington and Lee University Library | |
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| Description: | This is a Google-based search engine for accessing the contents of the 170+ sites listed here. | |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | Politics -- American Politics Politics -- Foreign and International Politics -- Congressional Research Politics -- General | |
| Producer: | JSTOR | |
|---|---|---|
| Sources: | Sources | |
| Description: | A digital archive of over 1,100 important scholarly journals. All issues of each journal are included in full-text except for the most recent 2-to-5 years, based on JSTOR's agreement with the journal's publisher.
August 2009 update: JSTOR is developing Data for Research, a tool for analysis of the content of the database. | |
| Usage Tips: | Searching The opening Advanced Search page presents 4 options for searching through the full text of all articles. You can change one or more these options to search through authors' names, words in article titles, words in article abstracts, or words in captions.
To search for forms of a word, use an asterisk (*) to substitute for missing letters. Example: modern* finds modern, modernism, moderns, modernistic, etc. To find articles containing two or more words, connect the search terms with AND. Example: terror* AND nationalis* To search for a multi-word phrase, enclose search terms in quotation marks. Example: "vernacular architecture" Results and Printing The list of articles resulting from a search is displayed in order of relevance (the number of appearances and prominence of your search terms), but can be re-sorted by publication date. To print an article, click on the "PDF" option. | |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | Music Economics and Business - General History -- United States Humanities - General Anthropology and Archaeology Sociology Journalism and Mass Communications Politics -- American Politics Politics -- Elections and Voting Politics -- Legal and Constitutional Politics -- Foreign and International Politics -- Congressional Research Politics -- General Economics Theater .General (any topic) Women's and Gender Studies History -- Outside U.S. Islamic Studies Politics -- Political Philosophy | |
P.A.I.S. (Public Affairs Information Service) International (Info)
Connect to: P.A.I.S. (Public Affairs Information Service) International
| Producer: | Public Affairs Information Service (PAIS) / ProQuest | |
|---|---|---|
| Sources: | Sources | |
| Description: | Contains continually updated records for over one million journal articles, books, government documents, research reports, conference papers, web content, and more from about 120 countries on all aspects of public policy and social issues.
Coverage extends back to the 1910's. | |
| Usage Tips: | Please note the "Figures and Tables" search option, near the top of the screen, which allows you to look for graphs, tables, and other forms of images.
For more help with using the ProQuest database interface (searching, printing, etc.), see this page. | |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | Economics and Business - General History -- United States Government -- U.S. Federal Government -- U.S. State and Local Government -- Foreign and International Politics -- American Politics Politics -- Foreign and International Politics -- Congressional Research Politics -- General Economics International Trade African-American Studies Poverty Studies Latin American and Caribbean Studies | |
Connect to: ProQuest Congressional
| Producer: | ProQuest | |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | August 2012 brings a new interface for ProQuest Congressional (formerly LexisNexis Congressional).
This is almost certainly the most comprehesive database of Congressional publications, some dating back as far as the late 1700's. Includes the complete texts of most documents. (Law Library subscription.) | |
| Usage Tips: | The database is set up to search several categories of publications, but you can opt to search only selected categories by clicking on the appropriate box(es). Here is help with searching, printing, and more. | |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | Government -- U.S. Federal Politics -- Congressional Research | |
ProQuest Congressional -- Hearings (Info)
Connect to: ProQuest Congressional -- Hearings
| Producer: | ProQuest | |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | August 2012 brings a new interface for ProQuest Congressional (formerly LexisNexis Congressional).
W&L's subscription includes "access to every published and unpublished Congressional hearing from 1824 through the present." | |
| Usage Tips: | Here is help with searching, printing, and more. | |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | Government -- U.S. Federal Politics -- Congressional Research | |
ProQuest Congressional -- Political News (Info)
Connect to: ProQuest Congressional -- Political News
| Producer: | ProQuest | |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | August 2012 brings a new interface for ProQuest Congressional (formerly LexisNexis Congressional).
Formerly called LexisNexis Congressional.
This section of the database finds political articles from the Washington Post and Roll Call, as well as transcripts from press conferences, speeches, and other events. | |
| Usage Tips: | Here is help with searching, printing, and more. | |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | Politics -- American Politics Politics -- Congressional Research | |
ProQuest Legislative Insight (Info)
Connect to: ProQuest Legislative Insight
| Producer: | ProQuest | |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | With coverage extending back tot he early 20th century, these are "searchable PDFs of full-text publications generated in the course of Congressional lawmaking. These include the full text of the Public Law itself, all versions of related bills, law-specific Congressional Record excerpts, committee hearings, reports, and prints. Also included are Presidential signing statements, CRS reports, and miscellaneous congressional publications that provide background material to aid in the understanding of issues related to the making of the law." (Law Library subscription) | |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | Government -- U.S. Federal Politics -- Congressional Research | |
U.S. Congressional Bibliographies (Info)
Connect to: U.S. Congressional Bibliographies
| Producer: | North Carolina State University | |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | Lists and indexing of Congressional hearings and other meetings, 1983-date, but no hyperlinks to texts. | |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | Politics -- Congressional Research | |
U.S. Government Watchdog Agencies (Info)
Connect to: U.S. Government Watchdog Agencies
| Producer: | Leyburn Library | |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | These resources are particularly useful for researching the performance of U.S. Federal Government agencies and programs. | |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | Government -- U.S. Federal Politics -- American Politics Politics -- Congressional Research | |
21st Century Political Science: A Reference Handbook (Info)
Connect to: 21st Century Political Science: A Reference Handbook
| Producer: | Sage / Sage Reference Online | |
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| Description: | Two-volume set (2011) contains nearly 100 signed entries designed "to provide undergraduate majors in political science with an authoritative reference source that will serve their research needs with far more detailed information than short encyclopedia entries, but not so much jargon, detail, or density as a journal article or a research handbook chapter. Consists of five broad sections: General Approaches; Comparative Politics; International Relations; Political Science Methodology; Political Thought; American Politics. | |
| Usage Tips: | Browsing There are three options for browsing through available entries:
| |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | Politics -- American Politics Politics -- Legal and Constitutional Politics -- Foreign and International Politics -- Congressional Research Politics -- General Politics -- Political Philosophy | |
Almanac Of American Politics (Info)
Connect to: Almanac of American Politics
| Producer: | National Journal | |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | Maybe re-named National Journal Almanac (10/28/10)
Authoritative, non-partisan guide to the members of the U.S. Congress and the areas they represent. It is produced every two years by the National Journal. | |
| Usage Tips: | This Web site provides access to the 2008 edition (110th Congress), plus the 2006, 2004, 2002, 2000, and 1998 editions.
Printed editions are available in the library collection. | |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | Politics -- American Politics Politics -- Congressional Research | |
Almanac Of The Unelected: Staff Of The U.S. Congress (Info)
Connect to: Almanac of the Unelected: Staff of the U.S. Congress
| Producer: | Bernan / Ebrary | |
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| Description: | 2011 edition provides "in-depth profiles on key congressional staff members," as well as overviews of the work of each committee. You may preview the table of contents. | |
| Usage Tips: | You also can preview the contents by clicking on "Contents" in the TOC column on the right side of the opening page.
For help with browsing, searching, and printing while using the Ebrary e-book interface, see this guide. | |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | Government -- U.S. Federal Politics -- Congressional Research | |
Black Americans In Congress, 1870-2007 (Info)
Connect to: Black Americans in Congress, 1870-2007
| Producer: | U.S. House of Representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | Contains profiles of African American senators, congressmen, and delegates, as well as historical essays, collections of historical data, and more. Part of a series of House publications "highlighting the congressional service of women and minority groups." (See also this site on women.)
A more up-to-date directory of African Americans in Congress is published by the Congressional Research Service. | |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | History -- United States Government -- U.S. Federal Politics -- American Politics Politics -- Congressional Research African-American Studies | |
Connect to: CQ Guide to Congress
| Producer: | Congressional Quarterly Press | |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | Seventh edition (2013) probably is the preeminent overview of the U.S. Congress -- origins and development, powers, procedures, relations with other branches of government and with the electorate, data and documents, and more. The library also has a printed copy of the 5th edition. | |
| Usage Tips: | Browsing The initial screen offers chapter-by-chapter access to the contents. The red navigation bar on the left includes links to: Features, Tables, and Figures; a Glossary; a list of all members of Congress; and an alphabetically-arranged Index, with links to entries.
Searching The "Search" box at the top of the page enables you to search through all the words in the database. Use an asterisk to search for forms of a word. Example: budget* finds budget, budgets, beudgeting, budgetary, etc. To find entries containing two or more terms, connect them with AND. Example: redistrict* AND race To find a multi-word phrase, enclose the search terms within quotation marks. Example: "electoral college" | |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | History -- United States Government -- U.S. Federal Politics -- American Politics Politics -- Congressional Research | |
CQ Guide To The Presidency And The Executive Branch (Info)
Connect to: CQ Guide to the Presidency and the Executive Branch
| Producer: | Congressional Quarterly Press | |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | Preeminent reference overview (5th edition, 2012) of "the persons who have occupied the White House and on the institution of the Presidency itself."
The library also has access to the previous edition. | |
| Usage Tips: | Browsing The initial screen offers chapter-by-chapter access to the contents. The blue navigation bar on the left includes links to: Features, Tables, and Figures; biographical essays; and the alphabetically-arranged Index (which includes links to entries).
Searching The "Search" box at the top of the page enables you to search through all the words in the database. Use an asterisk to search for forms of a word. Example: discriminat* finds discrimination, discriminating, discriminatory, etc. To find entries containing two or more terms, connect them with AND. Example: popular* AND (press OR media) To find a multi-word phrase, enclose the search terms within quotation marks. Example: "electoral college" | |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | Government -- U.S. Federal Politics -- American Politics Politics -- Congressional Research | |
Congress Investigates: A Critical And Documentary History (Info)
Connect to: Congress Investigates: A Critical and Documentary History
| Producer: | Facts on File / Gale Virtual Reference Library | |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | Sponsored by the Robert C. Byrd Center for Legislative Studies, this two-volume set (2011) contains detailed overviews of over 25 high-profile Congressional investigations in U.S. history, from President George Washington's first term to the Hurrican Katrina probe. | |
| Usage Tips: | You may find material in this ebook either by browsing within the sections and chapters or by searching for a particular word.
For help with browsing, searching, navigating, and printing, see this page. | |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | Government -- U.S. Federal Politics -- Congressional Research | |
Congress And The Nation (Info)
Connect to: Congress and the Nation
| Producer: | CQ Press | |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | Authoritative coverage of the events, trends, and controversies in the U.S. Congress and Presidency from Harry S. Truman through the George W. Bush administration, including review and analysis of legislation and policy during each Congressional session and presidential term, organized by policy area.
Also available in printed form in the library collection. | |
| Usage Tips: | Browsing by Topic Probably the most useful topic browsing tool is the "Cumulative Index" (in the lower-right section of the opening page). You also can use the very broad "Browse by Topic" options (upper-right), which will lead to sub-divisions which have entries listed chronologically.
Browsing Chronologically The "Browse by Table of Contents" options allow you to view subject entries arranged by Presidential terms. Searching The basic "Search" box (upper-right of page) allows you to find one or more terms within the text of the series. Combining Terms -- To find entries containing two or more terms, connect them with AND. Example: gorbachev AND reagan Phrases -- To find entries containing a multi-word phrase, enclose the words within quotation marks. Example: "persian gulf war" Advanced Search option (link next to the basic "Search" box) allows you to do the above searching, but also limit the search chronologically or by subject area. Results A search's resulting list of entries is arranged by relevancy ranking, but can be re-arranged by date or title, by using the arrows next to the "Title" and "Date" column headings. Delivery Individual entries can be delivered by e-mail or formatted for printing. See the appropriate options, located to the upper-left of the document. | |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | History -- United States Politics -- American Politics Politics -- Congressional Research | |
Congressional District Maps -- 112th Congress (Info)
Connect to: Congressional District Maps -- 112th Congress
| Producer: | NationalAtlas.gov | |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | Printable maps of each district in the 112th Congress (2011-13). | |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | Government -- U.S. Federal Politics -- Congressional Research | |
Directory Of Congressional Voting Scores And Interest Group Ratings (Info)
Connect to: Directory of Congressional Voting Scores and Interest Group Ratings
| Producer: | Congressional Quarterly Press / Gale Virtual Reference Library | |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | Fourth edition is a "compilation of CQ voting studies and interest group rating data for every legislator who has served in Congress from 1947 to 2004." | |
| Usage Tips: | You may find material in this ebook either by browsing within the sections and chapters or by searching for a particular word.
For help with browsing, searching, navigating, and printing, see this page. | |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | Politics -- American Politics Politics -- Congressional Research | |
Encyclopedia Of U.S. Political History (Info)
Connect to: Encyclopedia of U.S. Political History
| Producer: | Congressional Quarterly Press / Gale Virtual Reference Library | |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | Seven-volume set, published in 2010, "explores the events, policies, activities, institutions, groups, people, and movements that have created and shaped political life in the United States." Each volume in this chronologically-arranged set contains about 100 alphabetically-arranged signed essays. You may preview the contents of the volumes. Acquisition was made possible by the Friends of the Library. Note: The above link takes you only to Volume 1 (1500-1783). Links to additional volumes are below: Volume 2 (1784-1840) Volume 3 (1841-1877) Volume 4 (1878-1920) Volume 5 (1921-1945) Volume 6 (1946-1975) Volume 7 (1976-2009) | |
| Usage Tips: | You may find material in this ebook either by browsing the entries or by searching for a particular word.
For help with browsing, searching, navigating, and printing, see this page. Each volume has its own subject index. There is no index covering the entire set. | |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | History -- United States Politics -- American Politics Politics -- Elections and Voting Politics -- Congressional Research | |
Guide To Interest Groups And Lobbying In The United States (Info)
Connect to: Guide to Interest Groups and Lobbying in the United States
| Producer: | CQ Press / CQ Press Electronic Library | |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | Collection of 36 signed essays comprise a thematic and historical "analysis of interest groups and lobbying in American politics and over the course of American political history." | |
| Usage Tips: | Browsing The initial screen offers chapter-by-chapter access to the contents. The navigation bar on the left includes links to: introductory materials; Features, Tables, and Figures; biographical essays; and the alphabetically-arranged Index (which includes links to entries).
Searching The "Search" box at the top of the page enables you to search through all the words in the database. Use an asterisk to search for forms of a word. Example: discriminat* finds discrimination, discriminating, discriminatory, etc. To find entries containing two or more terms, connect them with AND. Example: popular* AND (press OR media) To find a multi-word phrase, enclose the search terms within quotation marks. Example: "electoral college" | |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | Politics -- American Politics Politics -- Congressional Research | |
Guide To U.S. Elections (Info)
Connect to: Guide to U.S. Elections
| Producer: | Congressional Quarterly Press / Gale Virtual Reference Library | |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | Two-volume set (6th edition; 2009) contains essays on the history of U.S. elections through 2008, including coverage of political parties, redistricting, and presidential, Congressional, and gubernatorial elections. Extensive tables of election results. The library also has electronic access to the 5th edition, as well as printed copies of earlier editions. | |
| Usage Tips: | You may find material in this ebook either by browsing within the sections and chapters or by searching for a particular word.
For help with browsing, searching, navigating, and printing, see this page. | |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | History -- United States Politics -- American Politics Politics -- Elections and Voting Politics -- Congressional Research | |
Connect to: Historic Documents
| Producer: | Congressional Quarterly (CQ Press) | |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | Contains texts and commentary on over 3,000 documents, ranging from "presidential speeches, international agreements, and Supreme Court decisions to U.S. governmental reports, scientific findings, and cultural discussions." Coverage begins with 1972. Much of the value of the database lies in CQ's analysis of the actual document, summarizing the history, issues, personalities, and controversies surrounding the item. | |
| Usage Tips: | Please note that each entry resulting from a search will consist of a lengthy commentary, followed by the text of a document.
There are two basic methods of searching the database -- searching and browsing. Search the Series This option, available near the top of the screen, allows you to search for combinations of key words in the database. Search results are arranged by relevance -- the number of times a term/phrase appears. To search for entries containing two or more words, connect them with AND. Example: medicare AND prescription To search for entries containing a phrase, place the words within quotation marks. Example: clean air act Browse by Topic This option enables you to view entries grouped in broad subject areas, such as "Business, the Economy, and Work." Browse by Title This option allows you to search for entries by year. Cumulative Index Use this option to search a detailed subject index. Printing and E-Mailing Entries must be re-formatted before printing, using the "Format for Printing" option, near the upper-left corner of the screen. Entries may be delivered by e-mail, using the "E-mail This Document" option, near the upper-left corner of the screen. Be sure to log out when you finish your session, using the Log Out option, near the upper-right corner of the screen. | |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | History -- United States Government -- U.S. Federal Politics -- American Politics Politics -- Legal and Constitutional Politics -- Congressional Research History -- Outside U.S. | |
Internship Resources At W&L (Info)
Connect to: Internship Resources at W&L
| Producer: | Washington and Lee University Library | |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | Here are resources available to Washington and Lee students which will help to identify internship opportunities, particularly in politics, journalism, and related fields. | |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | Journalism and Mass Communications Politics -- American Politics Politics -- Elections and Voting Politics -- Legal and Constitutional Politics -- Foreign and International Politics -- Congressional Research Politics -- General Politics -- Political Philosophy | |
Connect to: Leadership Congress
| Producer: | Leadership Directories | |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | Formerly CQ Congressional Staff Directory.
Directory of information on over 20,000 Congressional contacts -- members, leadership, staff, committees and other member organizations, PAC's, etc. | |
| Usage Tips: | Searching The search box at the top of the opening page allows you to search for names or organizations by clicking on the appropriate button above the box. Suggestion: enter only one or two words, not an entire name or organization.
Browsing The "Explore" drop-down options enable you to browse through organizations ("Explore Congress") or by subject relationship, such as Immigration ("Explore by Legislative Issue"). Please note: Only one W&L researcher may use the database at a time, so please click on "Logout" when you have finished searching. Additional users may receive a "maximum users reached" message. | |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | Government -- U.S. Federal Politics -- Congressional Research | |
| Producer: | LegiStorm | |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | Intended to provide "a variety of important information about the U.S. Congress." As of September 2006, the only information is the salaries of Congressional staffers, data formerly accessible only in printed sources in Congressional offices. | |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | Politics -- Congressional Research | |
Connect to: Major Acts of Congress
| Producer: | Macmillan | |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | Published in 2003, this source (three volumes in printed form) examines over 250 landmark pieces of legislation, in the publisher's words, "explaining the historical factors that led to the proposal of each act, looking at the adoption process, and assessing each act's impact on American life." Examples include the Americans With Disabilities Act and the Civil Rights Act of 1964. You can see the table of contents here. | |
| Usage Tips: | You may find material in this ebook either by browsing in the table of contents or in the index, or by searching for a particular word.
Table of Contents You may browse through the alphabetically-arranged table of contents by clicking on the eTable of Contents option. Please note that the list is divided into 3 "volumes," beginning with A-to-E. You may open any of the article lists, such as "Administrative-Coinage" by clicking on the appropriate plus-sign (+). Index You may browse through the alphabetically-arranged index by clicking on the eBook Index option, which opens a list of hundreds of references, each of which is clickable. Searching You may want to use the Search this eBook option to find obscure references or to find articles which contains two or more particular terms.
Gale Virtual Reference Library
Delivery
| |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | Politics -- American Politics Politics -- Congressional Research | |
Oxford Companion To American Politics (Info)
Connect to: Oxford Companion to American Politics
| Producer: | Oxford University Press / Oxford Reference | |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | 2012 volume contains over 200 signed, scholarly "entries on American political, economic, and social issues." | |
| Usage Tips: | You may find material in this ebook either by browsing among the entries or by searching for a particular word.
For help with browsing, searching, navigating, and printing Oxford Reference Online ebooks, see this page. | |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | Politics -- American Politics Politics -- Elections and Voting Politics -- Congressional Research | |
Oxford Guide To The United States Government (Info)
Connect to: Oxford Guide to the United States Government
| Producer: | Oxford University Press / Oxford Reference Online | |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | 2002 edition contains entries on "the key figures, events, and structures that have animated U.S. government for more than 200 years," including biographies, Congress and legislation, agencies, Supreme Court decisions, legal terms, etc. | |
| Usage Tips: | The initial screen ("Quick Search") is set up for a search of the complete text of the database. If you want to browse through an alphabetical list of all entries, choose the "Browse this book" option. The results of searches are arranged by relevance, with those articles containing search words in the title or other prominent location. Quick Search To find articles containing a multi-word phrase, enter the words within quotation marks. Example: "unanimous consent". To search for various forms of a word, use an asterisk (*) as a wild-card term. Example: budget* will find budget, budgets, budgetary, budgeting, etc. Advanced Search This option, located within the blue bar near the top of the screen, enables you to search through this reference source, plus some or all of the other Oxford Reference Online sources in this same broad subject area ("Politics and Social Sciences"). | |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | Government -- U.S. Federal Politics -- American Politics Politics -- Legal and Constitutional Politics -- Congressional Research | |
Oxford Handbook Of The American Congress (Info)
Connect to: Oxford Handbook of the American Congress
| Producer: | Oxford University Press / Oxford Handbooks Online | |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | 2011 collection contains 38 commissioned essays, and each contibution "critically engages the scholarship focusing on a particular aspect of congressional politics, including the institution's responsiveness to the American public, its procedures and capacities for policymaking, its internal procedures and development, relationships between the branches of government, and the scholarly methodologies for approaching these topics." You may preview the table of contents. | |
| Usage Tips: | For help with browsing, searching, and printing while using the Oxford Handbooks Online interface, see this guide. | |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | Government -- U.S. Federal Politics -- American Politics Politics -- Congressional Research | |
Connect to: Politics in America
| Producer: | Congressional Quarterly | |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | This biennial compilation from Congressional Quarterly provides information on the current members of the U.S. Congress and their states and districts. | |
| Usage Tips: | Information on each senator and representative includes a biographical essay, voting record, electoral history, and interest group ratings.
Older editions are available online and Leyburn Library also has printed volumes. | |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | Politics -- American Politics Politics -- Congressional Research | |
Speakers Of The House Of Representatives, 1789-2009 (Info)
Connect to: Speakers of the House of Representatives, 1789-2009
| Producer: | Grey House / Gale Virtual Reference Library | |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | This 2009 volume contains biographies on each of the 52 Speakers, as well as historical essays, primary source documents, and more. You may view a copy of the table of contents. | |
| Usage Tips: | You may find material in this ebook either by browsing within the sections and chapters or by searching for a particular word.
For help with browsing, searching, navigating, and printing, see this page. | |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | History -- United States Politics -- Congressional Research | |
Think Tanks, Public Policy Groups, And Advocacy Groups (Info)
Connect to: Think Tanks, Public Policy Groups, and Advocacy Groups
| Producer: | Washington and Lee University Library | |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | Lists of groups, plus a Google-based search engine. | |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | Politics -- American Politics Politics -- Elections and Voting Politics -- Legal and Constitutional Politics -- Foreign and International Politics -- Congressional Research Politics -- General | |
Tracking Current Federal Legislation And Regulations: A Guide To Basic Sources (Info)
Connect to: Tracking Current Federal Legislation and Regulations: A Guide to Basic Sources
| Producer: | U.S. Congressional Research Service | |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | Brief guide, dated January 2005. | |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | Politics -- Legal and Constitutional Politics -- Congressional Research | |
U.S. Congress: A Very Short Introduction (Info)
Connect to: U.S. Congress: A Very Short Introduction
| Producer: | Oxford University Press / Ebrary | |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | Donald Ritchie wrote this brief guide (2011), described by Roger Mudd as "a lively, comprehensive and knowing guide to the Congress." You may preview the contents. | |
| Usage Tips: | For help with browsing, searching, and printing while using the Ebrary e-book interface, see this guide. | |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | Politics -- Congressional Research | |
Washington Information Directory (Info)
Connect to: Washington Information Directory
| Producer: | Congressional Quarterly | |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | "Contact and descriptive information on more than 10,000 federal government offices, regulatory agencies, congressional committees, judicial offices, public interest groups, nongovernmental organizations, and international organizations." | |
| Usage Tips: | Browse by Organization Name An alphabetical listing of groups.
Search the Directory Enter one or more words which may be in a group's name and/or in a description of it. Results are arranged by relevance. Browse by Topic Groups involved in certain subject areas. Please note the "See All Topics" option. Browse by Organization Type Very broad categorie of groups. | |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | Government -- U.S. Federal Politics -- American Politics Politics -- Congressional Research | |
Women In Congress, 1917-2006 (Info)
Connect to: Women in Congress, 1917-2006
| Producer: | U. S. House of Representatives / GPOAccess | |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | Profiles of the 229 women who have served in the U.S. Senate and House, divided into four "generations,"as well as historical and analytical material.
Part of a series of House publications "highlighting the congressional service of women and minority groups." (See also this site on black Americans in Congress.)
A more up-to-date directory of women in Congress is published by the Congressional Research Service. | |
| Usage Tips: | To find an entry on a particular individual, you might want to consult the Index. | |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | History -- United States Government -- U.S. Federal Politics -- American Politics Politics -- Congressional Research Women's and Gender Studies | |
| Producer: | Congressional Quarterly | |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | A weekly, non-partisan magazine covering the U.S. Congress, providing news and expert analysis of all aspects of legislative activity and politics.
The database contains the full text of articles back to 1983. The library also has printed issues dating back to 1967 of this weekly magazine, the current issues of which are shelved on the Main Floor under the title Congressional Quarterly Weekly. | |
| Usage Tips: | The contents of the current issue are accessible from "cover story" and feature links in the main part of the opening screen and from subject links in the left margin of the screen. The "Search" option, allowing you to search the contents of articles since 1983, is located near the top of the left margin. | |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | Politics -- American Politics Politics -- Congressional Research | |
Congress And The Legislative Process (Info)
Connect to: Congress and the Legislative Process
| Producer: | Leyburn Library | |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | Research guide to W&L course Politics 330. | |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | Government -- U.S. Federal Politics -- Congressional Research | |
| Producer: | Sunlight Foundation / Participatory Politics Foundation | |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | Multifaceted site for research on Congress, including information on members of Congress, legislation, and up-to-date news coverage. Includes options for automatic notifications in lots of subject areas. | |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | Politics -- Congressional Research | |
Congressional Committee Hearings (Info)
Connect to: Congressional Committee Hearings
| Producer: | U.S. Congress | |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | There is no single online database covering all U.S. Congressional hearings. Instead, use the above link to find out which options are available to W&L researchers. | |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | Government -- U.S. Federal Politics -- Congressional Research | |
| Producer: | National Journal | |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | Authoritative, non-partisan magazine covering U.S. politics. This Web site includes articles from the current issue and searchable access to all articles back to 1977.
Related publications include National Journal Daily and National Journal Hotline. The library also has printed issues dating back to 1987 of this weekly magazine, with current issues shelved on the Main Floor. | |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | Politics -- American Politics Politics -- Congressional Research | |
National Journal Hotline (Info)
Connect to: National Journal Hotline
| Producer: | National Journal | |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | Daily coverage of political news. (Updated three times a day.) | |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | Politics -- American Politics Politics -- Congressional Research | |
| Producer: | Washington and Lee University Library | |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | Washington and Lee University Library blog covering new resources and other news for our Politics faculty and students. | |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | Politics -- American Politics Politics -- Elections and Voting Politics -- Legal and Constitutional Politics -- Foreign and International Politics -- Congressional Research Politics -- General Politics -- Political Philosophy | |
Official Congressional Sites (Info)
Connect to: Official Congressional Sites
| Producer: | Leyburn Library | |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | House and Senate sites and publications, and more. | |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | Politics -- Congressional Research | |
Politics Periodicals In Leyburn Library (Info)
Connect to: Politics Periodicals in Leyburn Library
| Producer: | Leyburn Library | |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | This list indicates "politics" periodicals (journals and magazines) which have been requested by the W&L Politics Department and which are available in Leyburn Library. It should not be interpreted as a comprehensive list of all politics-related periodicals in the library, since other titles have been requested by other academic departments. | |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | Politics -- American Politics Politics -- Elections and Voting Politics -- Legal and Constitutional Politics -- Congressional Research Politics -- General | |
| Producer: | U.S. Congress | |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | There is no single online database for access to the U.S. Congressional Serial Set. The above link will take you to several options. | |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | Government -- U.S. Federal Politics -- Congressional Research | |
| Producer: | U.S. Library of Congress | |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | The Library of Congress' official multifaceted guide to information from and about the U.S. Congress. Coverage generally begins with 1994-95. | |
| Usage Tips: | Includes access to the Cnongressional Record, bills and resolutions, committee reports, and more. | |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | Government -- U.S. Federal Politics -- Congressional Research | |
| Producer: | Leyburn Library | |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | Leyburn Library's collection of links to official Congressional resources. | |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | Government -- U.S. Federal Politics -- American Politics Politics -- Congressional Research | |
U.S. Political News Coverage And Analysis (Info)
Connect to: U.S. Political News Coverage and Analysis
| Producer: | Washington and Lee University Library | |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | This is a collection of online sources which provide expert and mostly non-partisan coverage and analysis of political news in the U.S. Most specialize in contemporary coverage, while a few are designed for retrospective coverage. | |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | Politics -- American Politics Politics -- Elections and Voting Politics -- Congressional Research | |
YouTube -- U.S. Congress (Info)
Connect to: YouTube -- U.S. Congress
| Producer: | YouTube / U.S. Congress | |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | Members of Congress are developing their own YouTube video channels, with "videos direct from their Washington offices, as well as clips of floor speeches and committee hearings alongside additional behind-the-scenes footage from Capitol Hill."
The above link takes you to the Senate Hub, and here is the link to the House Hub. | |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | Government -- U.S. Federal Politics -- Congressional Research | |
Fast Facts For Congress (Info)
Connect to: Fast Facts for Congress
| Producer: | U.S. Census Bureau | |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | Searchable database of demographic, social, and economic data on the U.S., particularly useful for characteristics of Congressional districts. | |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | Politics -- Congressional Research | |
| Producer: | U.S House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means | |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | Actually titled Background Material and Data on the Programs within the Jurisdiction of the Committee on Ways and Means, this quadrennially-published (?) compilation includes valuable data and overviews on Medicare, Social Security, Head Start, Food Stamps, and other programs.
The above link goes to the most recent edition. Recent previous editions are available online. The library has older printed editions. | |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | Government -- U.S. Federal Politics -- Congressional Research Poverty Studies | |
Connect to: Policy Agendas Project
| Producer: | University of Texas | |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | "Collects and organizes data from various archived sources to trace changes in the national policy agenda and public policy outcomes since the Second World War." Available datasets include Congressional hearings, statutes, Congressional Quarterly stories, a sample of New York Times stories, Gallup's Most Important Problem series, Presidential executive orders, Presidential State of the Union addresses, Supreme Court cases, Congressional bills, and Congressional roll call votes.
There are separate sites for compatible Congressional bills and international comparative projects. | |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | Politics -- American Politics Politics -- Congressional Research | |
U.S. Congress Votes Database (Info)
Connect to: U.S. Congress Votes Database
| Producer: | Washington Post | |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | Data on every vote in Congress since 1991. | |
| Usage Tips: | Most of the options take you to numerical totals, including breakdowns by party, gender, state, and more. However, you can see how individual members voted by following the "Members" and "Parties" links. | |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | Government -- U.S. Federal Politics -- Congressional Research | |
Vital Statistics On American Politics (Info)
Connect to: Vital Statistics on American Politics
| Producer: | CQ Press | |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | Contains over 225 tables and charts on American politics dating back to 1788, including data on presidential, gubernatorial, and congressional elections, party competition, public approval of the president, Congress, and the two major political parties, the federal budget and the national debt, and more. Data are supplied in HTML, Excel, and comma-separated variable formats.
Printed volumes are in the Leyburn Library collection. | |
| Usage Tips: | Browsing Click on any of the chapters in the Table of Contents what is available in that subject area. Each chapter will have an "Overview" essay which contains links to specific tables. Clicking on a table title will retrieve that table in HTML format, while clicking on "Excel" or "CSV" will produce the same table in those formats.
Searching A "search" option is displayed near the top of the page. Simple one-word seaches, should be able to adequately access the list of tables, but more complex searches also are possible. Example: sex OR gender Delivery "Overview" essays, other text documents, and tables in HTML format can be delivered by e-mail and/or re-formatted for printing -- look for the options on the upper left side of the page. Tables in Excel and CSV formats can be downloaded/saved. | |
| Librarian: | Dick Grefe | |
| Descriptors: | History -- United States Politics -- American Politics Politics -- Elections and Voting Politics -- Congressional Research | |