In May of 2023, the Naval War College Library celebrates 60 years as a Selective Government Documents Depository.
Most Government Documents can be discovered and accessed on the Internet with a Google Search. Researchers can also go directly to the Government Publishing Office's website (govinfo).
As a selective depository, the NWC Library holds only those documents that support its mission. If a researcher from the public would like a copy of a print document, we can possibly scan and email a copy to them-- depending on the size and binding of the document. Documents can also be made available upon request via interlibrary loan. We recommend that researchers begin by working with their local libraries before planning a visit to the library as many research needs can be addressed in this manner.
Members of the public are welcome to research GovDocs in the NWC library. We want your visit to go smoothly, but we are part of a secure DOD facility, and vetting is required unless you are an NWC student, faculty/staff member, or an approved visitor. Visitor access to the NWC Library is granted on a case-by-case basis for research purposes that require the use of materials not readily available elsewhere. For further information on visiting the NWC library, please contact one of our Reference Librarians at libref@usnwc.edu.
Vetting a member of the general public for physical access to the Naval War College Library can take up to two weeks. For longer term research projects, visitors can be granted access over an extended time frame.
Our Reference Librarians routinely offer phone and email support for inquiries from the general public--including access to GovDocs. Members of the public can search our catalog to determine availability. They also have access to this Government Information LibGuide, which contains a wide variety of links to online GovDoc sources.
Please contact us with your questions or come and visit us at the service desk on the main level of the Learning Commons in Hewitt, M-F 0730-1630.
Individual and group instruction sessions with a Reference Librarian are available upon request.
Email Us: libref@usnwc.edu