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Welcome
Welcome! This guide is designed to help you locate information produced by the Rhode Island Government.
Most current state publications are freely available online. State publications that present historical information are also available in print format at the library. The print publications are accompanied by a call number. The call numbers represent an in-house classification system (the Swank system), which is based on the issuing state agency preceded by the number 39, e.g. 39-E68 (39=Rhode Island, E68=Dept. of Economic Development). State publications with such call numbers are shelved in the Government Publications area of the Library on the Lower Level. Rhode Island State publications reference material is shelved in Government Publications Range 37.
The box below provides some helpful resources for general Rhode Island government information The yellow tabs above present more detailed and subject specific lists of resources available in both electronic and print formats.
If you need further assistance, please consult the Research Help Desk.
General Sources
Here are some helpful electronic resources for general information produced by the Rhode Island government.
- Rhode Island Office of the Secretary of StatePortal to information on elected officials, the electoral process, state agencies, and public information on businesses incorporated in the State.
- State of Rhode Island General AssemblyProvides information on the General Assembly and its members. Included are text of bills and their statues, committee agendas and calendars, text of the House and Senate Journal, text of the General Laws of Rhode Island, contact information on the General Assembly members and links to the websites of the legislative commissions. Searching may be done by keyword, year or a particular file.
- Rhode Island Official Website
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Official website for the state of Rhode Island. Portal provides access to sites for all branches of state government. - Rhode Island State ArchivesThe Rhode Island State Archives "preserves and makes available for research Rhode Island's historical public records, which date from 1638 to the present." Research can be conducted in person at 337 Westminster St Providence or virtually through its "Digital Archives" page.
Created & Revised by
Deborah Mongeau 1/88; rev. 11/98, 5/04
Hailie Posey, 2/11
Katie Leahy, 7/13