Notable Government Documents

About the Notable Government Documents To recognize excellence in government publications, identify documents of distinction, and commend
individual works of superlative nature.

The "Notable Documents List" was originally begun by the Notable Documents Panel of the American Library Association's Government Documents Round Table, with hopes that the list would promote awareness and acquisition of government publications by libraries and use by library patrons. The list also was intended to recognize the individuals and agencies involved in producing these excellent sources of information and inspiration.

The Notable Documents Panel was initiated in 1982, by a proposal from the Education Task Force to the GODORT Steering Committee. The annotated citations lead to hundreds of outstanding publications from all levels of government and in an ever expanding range of formats. Reprints are available free as a public service from LexisNexis, 7500 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD 20814.

The "Notable Documents List" first appeared in RQ in the 1984 and 1985 spring issues. From 1986 on it has been published in the May 15 issue of Library Journal. Yearly citations cover documents from the previous two years, so "1983 Notable Documents List" published in 1984 would include items published in 1982/1983 and so on. Beginning in the early nineties, the annual feature took on distinctive titles, with the subtitle "Notable Documents" and, 1992 on, "Notable Government Documents."

A complete bibliography of the lists can be found http://wikis.ala.org/godort/index.php/Notable_Documents_Bibliography

Administered by:

Government Documents Round Table (GODORT) logo

International Documents

2011 Selection(s)

Discrimination on Grounds of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in Europe

Council of Europe, dist. by Bernan & Renouf. 2011. 132p. maps. pap. $18.

This “largest study ever made on homophobia, transphobia and discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity in the 47 member states of the Council of Europe” based its findings on transcripts of interviews with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons; government statistics; and other data collected from 2004 to 2010. Subtopics include perceptions of LGBT persons; crimes committed against them; their access to health care, education, and employment; and relevant legislation. Thematic maps enable the reader to visualize key data. This publication brings intolerance to light but also shows how far the movement for LGBT rights in Europe has come. archive.equal-jus.eu/884


European Drug Prevention Quality Standards: A Manual for Prevention Professionals

European Monitoring Centre for Drugs & Drug Addiction, dist. by the EU Bookshop. 2011. 284p. illus. pap. Free.

This manual—the work of dozens of experts in the field—provides the first European framework on effective drug abuse prevention. It outlines planning, implementation, and evaluation of prevention and aids the understanding of how people, interventions, organizations, and strategies contribute to positive outcomes. Though substance abuse-prevention professionals are the intended audience, anyone studying this phenomenon will want to consult this well-­documented source. With an attractive layout, clear prose, and a superb glossary.  www.emcdda.europa.eu/attachements.cfm/att_145539_EN_TD3111250ENC.pdf


FAO in the 21st Century: Ensuring Food Security in a Changing World

Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, dist. by Bernan & Renouf. 2011. 239p. illus. bibliog. pap. $62.

More than one billion people worldwide suffer from malnutrition, and the challenge of providing access to food is becoming more daunting as the global population is expected to exceed the nine billion mark in 2050. Part 1 of this resource details the current knowledge of food insecurity and its causes, as well as the international community’s efforts to eradicate it. Part 2 identifies policies that will ameliorate the problem, with emphasis on proposals of the Food and Agriculture Organization. With appealing graphics, this title is intended for ­nonspecialists.  www.fao.org/docrep/015/i2307e/i2307e.pdf


The Great Recession and Developing Countries: Economic Impact and Growth Prospects

ed. by Mustapha K. Nabli. World Bank, dist. by Bernan & Renouf. 2011. 634p. illus. pap. $35.

The financial crisis of 2008 to 2009 spread like a contagion from the United States to the rest of the world and raised questions about how low- and middle-income countries could protect themselves from external shocks. The ten case studies here analyze precrisis growth, the effects of the crisis, and policy responses in Brazil, China, Ethiopia, India, Malaysia, Mexico, the Philippines, Turkey, Vietnam, and Poland. The text, which is accompanied by more than 150 illustrations and 80 tables, is accessible to undergraduates. 


The Hidden Crisis: Armed Conflict and Education

EFA Global Monitoring Report 2011. UNESCO, dist. by Bernan & Renouf. 2011. 416p. illus. bibliog. pap. $48.

More than 40 percent of children in countries engaged in armed conflict are not in school. This report documents the effects of war on education and proposes a wide-ranging agenda for action. It contains 85 graphs, as well as many poignant and sometimes extraordinary photographs. With more than 90 pages of international education statistics.  unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0019/001907/190743e.pdf


Looking Ahead in World Food and Agriculture: Perspectives to 2050

ed. by Piero Conforti. Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, dist. by Bernan & Renouf. 2011. 539p. illus. pap. $110.

This collection of essays offers an assessment of where agriculture is headed and what must be done to meet the world’s food demands in the coming decades. It addresses issues such as the effects of using crops to produce biofuels instead of food, the impact of climate change on yields, and the inadequacy of investment in agricultural research and development. The clarity of the text makes this a useful source for both scholars and interested citizens.  www.fao.org/docrep/014/i2280e/i2280e.pdf


Police Perception Survey 2011: The Afghan Perspective

UN Development Programme, Afghanistan Country Office. 2011. 155p. illus. maps. bibliog. Free.

The authors present the results of the third annual public opinion survey concerning the Afghan National Police (ANP), and it is full of unexpected details. For instance, 30 percent of the 7000 Afghan interviewees reported that someone in their household had seen an ANP member use illicit drugs, and only 20 percent think the ANP is ready to operate without the support of international forces. On the positive side, 45 percent of respondents believe the performance of the ANP in their area has improved in the past year.  www.undp.org.af/Publications/KeyDocuments/2011/PPS-Eng%20Version-2011%20Final%20Lowest%20Res.pdf


Renewable Energy Sources and Climate Change Mitigation: Special Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

ed. by Ottmar Edenhofer & others. Cambridge Univ., dist. by Bernan & Renouf. 2012. 1076p. illus. bibliog. $200; pap. ISBN 9781107607101. $100.

In this massive volume, the world’s leading body on climate change assesses the technological development, costs, potential, and environmental and social effects of hydropower, bioenergy, and solar, geothermal, wind, and ocean energy. Each chapter includes a detailed table of contents, an executive summary, an extensive bibliography, and many color illustrations. Readers seeking in-depth knowledge of renewable energy technologies and related issues will find this work invaluable.  srren.ipcc-wg3.de/report


World Development Report 2012: Gender Equality and Development

World Bank, dist. by Bernan & Renouf. 2011. 426p. illus. maps. ISBN 9780821388259. $50; pap. ISBN 9780821388105. $26.

The authors examine gender inequality and the potential role of governments in ending it. While many countries have made dramatic progress in this area, others lag far behind. This title explores the causes of these disparities and makes specific policy recommendations. For the first time, the World Development Report is available as an iPad app that is attractive, easy to use, and free. It contains information not available in the print version and guides the user toward the most important content.  Full report: http://ow.ly/atJTB. Free iPad app.


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