Monday, March 28, 2011

Reminder: 2010 Tax Forms at Norlin Library

With less than a month until the end of Tax Season, a reminder about the availability of Tax Forms at Norlin Library seems in order. Also, due to recent changes in Federal tax laws, the Government Information Library has only recently received physical copies of many of the standard federal tax forms. Below is a repost of our tax forms blog post from January this year. We hope you find it helpful.

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The Tax Forms and Information page -- our regular home for all things tax-related in Government Information -- has been updated in two significant ways: Now, instead of a blog post that will explicitly list which tax forms are available in Norlin, patrons can visit the Tax Forms and Information Page and download an excel spreadsheet that details that same information. This process decreases the time it takes for the Gov Info staff to update the Web site with the most recent information.


A second change is the addition of a new printable guide: Finding and Printing 2010 Tax Forms. This guide explains how to locate specific tax forms online, and how those forms can be printed here in Norlin Library. Pre-printed copies of the guides are available in the Government Information Library, and at the main Research Desk on the 2nd floor of Norlin.

We hope these chances will be useful to our University and Public patrons who have come to rely on the Government Information Library for tax forms. As always, any questions or comments can be directed to us at govpubs@colorado.edu or on the phone at (303) 492-8834.

Monday, March 21, 2011

Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports

Congressional Research Service (CRS) is a research agency of Congress and writes reports at Congress' request. These short reports (usually 10-40 pages long) cover recent topics of concern. This week brings us reports on the foreign relations, defense, budget, and much more. Although these reports are in the public domain, there is no central database available to the public. To get a copy of a CRS report, you can request it from your senator or representative. These reports were discovered by Open CRS and Secrecy News:
Interested in historical CRS reports? If you are here at the Boulder campus, check out the LexisNexis Congressional database, which has reports dating back to 1916.

Not on campus but still want access to additional reports? The library has a guide linking to various additional sources of CRS reports.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Saturn Images Combined to Recreate Flight of the Cassini Spacecraft

Enthusiasts of space travel are no doubt aware of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratories at Caltech. JPL's research has made possible some of the key spaceflights of the 20th century, including the Pioneer Moon program (though Pioneer 4 now orbits the Sun), the Viking to Mars program, and the Wide Field and Planetary Camera installed on the Hubble telescope, among many others.

One of JPL's current missions is the Cassini-Huygens spacecraft's orbit of the planet Saturn, with a separate component designed to parachute through the atmosphere of the planet's moon Titan. NASA's calls the mission "the most ambitious effort in planetary space exploration ever mounted."



As with each of JPL's missions, photographs from Cassini are available at the Lab's online Photojournal, and also through the Cassini mission site, which is highly recommended.

Ambitious filmmaker Stephen van Vuuren is compiling Cassini's still images into an IMAX resolution film. Below is a two-and-one-half minute preview of some of the imagery van Vuuren has compiled. The film speaks for itself, but be sure to watch it in full-screen HD. It's amazing.

5.6k Saturn Cassini Photographic Animation from Stephen van Vuuren via Vimeo.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Discovery's final mission

Yesterday, the space shuttle Discovery landed for the final time. Discovery has logged the most days in space of any shuttle, with 352 days in space before this final mission. In other words, after this past 12 day mission it has logged almost a year in space, with over 180 different people having ridden in this shuttle. (from the mission press release)

Discovery is the first space shuttle to retire, to be followed by Endeavor and Atlantis. In honor of this landing, why not check out this video from NASA:


If you want to see some of the still images of the mission check out the image gallery for mission STS-133 (the 133 mission into space) from NASA.

Still hungering for more space information? Why not check out the library's guide.

Tuesday, March 08, 2011

What is FDsys?

In addition to our usual tutorial videos, the Government Documents Library at CU Boulder is trying a few new approaches to engage and attract users to the types of information to be found in government resources. The video below, "What is FDsys?" is the first part in a short series on the GPO's Federal Digital System or FDsys. We hope you find it informative and useful, and welcome comments below.



And now you can find more videos about government sources at the CU Boulder Libraries YouTube channel.

Monday, March 07, 2011

GAO Reports and Releases

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) which is often called the investigative arm of Congress. This set of publications from GAO investigates the environment, post office, government spending, and many other issues. If you would like to know more about GAO, check out the library's guide.

Reports
CorrespondencesTestimonies
  • Opportunities to Reduce Potential Duplication in Government Programs, Save Tax Dollars, and Enhance Revenue, by Gene L. Dodaro, comptroller general of the United States, before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-11-441T, March 3.
    http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-441T
  • Foreign Operations: Key Issues for Congressional Oversight, by Jacquelyn Williams-Bridgers, managing director, international affairs and trade, before the Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, House Committee on Appropriations. GAO-11-419T, March 3.
    http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-419T

    Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11419thigh.pdf
  • 8(a) Program: The Importance of Effective Fraud Protection Controls, by Gregory D. Kutz, director of forensic audits and investigative service, before the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. GAO-11-440T, March 3.
    http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-440T
  • Environmental Protection Agency: Major Management Challenges, by David C. Trimble, acting director, natural resources and environment, before the Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, House Committee on Appropriations. GAO-11-422T, March 2.
    http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-422T

    Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11422thigh.pdf
  • DOD Education Benefits: Further Actions Needed to Improve Oversight of Tuition Assistance Program, by George A. Scott, director, education, workforce, and income security, before the Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. GAO-11-389T, March 2.
    http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-389T
  • Elder Justice: Stronger Federal Leadership Could Help Improve Response to Elder Abuse, by Kay E. Brown, director, education, workforce, and income security, before the Senate Special Committee on Aging. GAO-11-384T, March 2.
    http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-384T
  • Medicare: Program Remains at High Risk Because of Continuing Management Challenges, by Kathleen King, director, health care, before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, House Committee on Energy and Commerce. GAO-11-430T, March 2.
    http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-430T

    Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11430thigh.pdf
  • Troubled Asset Relief Program: Actions Needed by Treasury to Address Challenges in Implementing Making Home Affordable Programs, by Mathew J. Scire, director, financial markets and community investment, before the Subcommittee on Insurance, Housing, and Community Opportunity, House Committee on Financial Services. GAO-11-338T, March 2.
    http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-338T
  • U.S. Postal Service: Modernization and Restructuring Needed to Address Financial Challenges, by Phillip Herr, director, physical infrastructure issues, before the Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, U.S. Postal Service, and Labor Policy, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-11-428T, March 2.
    http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-428T

    Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11428thigh.pdf
  • Warfighter Support: DOD Should Have a More Comprehensive Approach for Addressing Urgent Warfighter Needs, by William M. Solis, director, defense capabilities and management, before the Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces, House Committee on Armed Services. GAO-11-417T, March 1.
    http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-417T
  • Department of the Interior: Major Management Challenges, by Anu K. Mittal and Franklin Rusco, directors, natural resources and environment, before the Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, House Committee on Appropriations. GAO-11-424T, March 1.
    http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-424T

    Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11424thigh.pdf
  • GAO's 2011 High-Risk Series: An Update, by Gene L. Dodaro, comptroller general of the United States, before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-11-394T, February 17.
    http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-394T

    Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11394thigh.pdf
  • Federal Workforce: Practices to Increase the Employment of Individuals with Disabilities, by Yvonne Jones, director, strategic issues, before the Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. GAO-11-351T, February 16.
    http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-351T
  • Federal Mandates: Few Rules Trigger Unfunded Mandates Reform Act, by Denise M. Fantone, director, strategic issues, before the Subcommittee on Technology, Information Policy, Intergovernmental Relations, and Procurement Reform, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-11-385T, February 15.
    http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-385T

    Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11385thigh.pdf
  • Border Security: Preliminary Observations on Border Control Measures for the Southwest Border, by Richard M. Stana, director, homeland security and justice issues, before the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security, House Committee on Homeland Security. GAO-11-374T, February 15.
    http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-374T

    Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11374thigh.pdf
  • Employment Verification: Federal Agencies Have Improved E-Verify, but Significant Challenges Remain, by Richard M. Stana, director, homeland security and justice, before the Subcommittee on Immigration Policy and Enforcement, House Committee on the Judiciary. GAO-11-330T, February 10.
    http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-330T
  • Recovery Act: Broadband Programs Awards and Risks to Oversight, by Mark L. Goldstein, director, physical infrastructure issues, before the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, House Committee on Energy and Commerce. GAO-11-371T, February 10.
    http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-371T

    Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11371thigh.pdf
  • Federal Real Property. The Government Faces Challenges to Disposing of Unneeded Buildings, by David J. Wise, director, physical infrastructure issues, before the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. GAO-11-370T, February 10.
    http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-370T

    Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11370thigh.pdf

Tuesday, March 01, 2011

Colorado National Monument

As you race down I-70 past Grand Junction you may have seen a sign for the Colorado National Monument. Now how many of you have actually stopped and seen the monument? Did you wonder what it was a monument of? Or maybe you knew that national monuments are also managed by the National Park Service. I went there one memorable evening at sunset and watched the rocks turn an amazing red. This year brings us the 100th anniversary of the declaration of the 20,000 acres as a national monument. In honor of this I thought I would share a few resources.

Book Cliffs by Rob Kurtzman

(Image from National Park Service web site, taken by Rob Kurtzman)


First, how does a place get declared a national monument? Well, this action can be taken by the President of the United States without congressional approval. This designation offers certain protections to the area and can be done much more quickly. You can read about the history of this designation in a CRS report called "National Monument Issues" from 2002.

Second, why not check out the Colorado National Monument at this anniversary? They have a web site that provides information on events, things to see in the park and the beautiful Rim Rock drive.

Finally, want to learn about the movement to give the Colorado National Monument, National Park status? Check out this news story "Park Status for CO monument?" from Colorado Public Radio or the press release on the meeting Senator Udall had on this issue in Grand Junction.

Still want more? Check out the library's guide to Parks, Forests, Wildlife Refuges, and Historic Places.

Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports

Congressional Research Service (CRS) is a research agency of Congress and writes reports at Congress' request. These short reports (usually 10-40 pages long) cover recent topics of concern. This week brings us reports on the military, environment, energy, and much more. Although these reports are in the public domain, there is no central database available to the public. To get a copy of a CRS report, you can request it from your senator or representative. These reports were discovered by Open CRS and Secrecy News:
Interested in historical CRS reports? If you are here at the Boulder campus, check out the LexisNexis Congressional database, which has reports dating back to 1916.

Not on campus but still want access to additional reports? The library has a guide linking to various additional sources of CRS reports.