Constitution Day View

View of Davis Library's Main Entrance around 10 a.m. Monday 9.17.12

Happy Constitution Day! 

September 17^th is the anniversary date of the final draft of the Constitution of the United States (US) being signed by delegates to the Constitutional Convention in 1787. 

The important document not only serves as our supreme law outlining the main principles on which our nation is founded and governed, but also acts as symbol of our democratic way of life.

(See National Archives - Charters of Freedom Online Exhibit to view complete document.)

Constitution Day is observed to honor this important date in our nation’s history and to celebrate US citizenship.  Reflecting on what it means to be an American as well as your rights and responsibilities as a member of such a free society is strongly encouraged at this time each year.

In recognition of the occasion, we’re highlighting the fact that the Davis Library is active member of the US Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP).  The FDLP was established by Congress to help ensure that the American Public has access to its Government Information.

(FDLP logo is used to identify shelving areas in Davis Library where print Government Documents are located.)

The United States government was founded on the principle that a free and democratic society requires an informed citizenry. A “government of the people, by the people, for the people” must have open access to honest and meaningful information so that the public may stay responsibly engaged in the governing process. Our “right to know” and our “right to vote” are the most powerful tools we have to keep our political leaders accountable. 

Published on various topics and in a variety of formats (paper, microform, video, electronic), government documents are essential to our daily lives. Not only do these resources offer important details on the laws and regulations that help govern us, but they also provide other valuable information on issues such as consumer rights, education, career planning, health, safety and recreation. These publications are important in helping us to both maintain our watch over the government’s activities and improve our quality of life.

Want to learn more about the US Constitution and Constitution Day? See the links below offered from various Government Websites:

US National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)

• http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution.html

Library of Congress (LOC)

• http://thomas.loc.gov/teachers/constitution.html
• http://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/ourdocs/Constitution.html

National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)

• http://edsitement.neh.gov/constitution-day    

As a selective depository, Davis Library receives approximately 14% of the items distributed to participating libraries via the United States Government Printing Office (GPO).

We provide free, equal and unrestricted access to government information for all of our library users both from our campus community and the general public.

If you need help finding or using our government resources, please “Ask Us!”