Federal Depository Library

The USA Marx Library has been a member of the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) since 1968 and is one of 21 depository libraries in the state of Alabama. Our primary mission is to serve the needs of the faculty, students and staff at the University of South Alabama. We also serve the needs of the citizens of the 2nd Congressional District of Alabama, with emphasis on Mobile and Baldwin counties. This library is a congressionally-designated depository for U.S. Government documents. Public access to the government documents collection is guaranteed by public law. (Title 44 United States Code)

Marx Library University of South Alabama 5901 USA Drive North Mobile, AL 36688 Ph: (251) 460-7028webref@southalabama.edu

Government Documents

U.S. Constitution Day (Sept. 17, 2025)

On September 17, 1787, the delegates to the Constitutional Convention met for the last time to sign the document for which they had spent months creating: the U.S. Constitution. For over 200 years, the Constitution has served as the supreme law of the land. It, along with the Bill of Rights and other amendments, defines our government and guarantees our rights. Each year, on September 17th, Americans celebrate Constitution Day and Citizenship Day.

In observance of this occasion the Government Documents Department has a small display on 2nd Floor South of some of the federal government materials on the subject. There is a companion 7-page bibliography, highlighting additional resources. While visiting the display be sure to pick-up a free copy of a pocket Constitution.

Do you think you can pass the U.S. Citizenship Test? Give it a try at the “Welcome to the 2008 Civics Practice Test!” web site by taking a practice test. Then learn what is required to be a naturalized citizen by visiting the web page on “Becoming a U.S. Citizen through Naturalization.”

20th Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina

In late August, 2005, Hurricane Katrina became one of the strongest storms to impact the coast of the United States during the last 100 years. With sustained winds during landfall of 125 mph (a strong category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale) and minimum central pressure the third lowest on record at landfall (920 mb), Katrina caused widespread devastation along the central Gulf Coast states of the U.S. Cities such as New Orleans, LA, Gulfport, MS, and Mobile, AL bore the brunt of Katrina's force and needed weeks, if not months of recovery efforts to restore normalcy. The storm surge overtopped and breached levees in the New Orleans metropolitan area, resulting in the inundation of much of the city and its eastern suburbs. Wind damage extended well inland into northern Mississippi and Alabama.

Katrina was one of the most devastating hurricanes in the history of the United States. It was responsible for approximately 1,850 reported deaths, including about 1,000 in Louisiana and 200 in Mississippi. It remains one of the costliest hurricanes with an estimated $108 billion in damage.

There is currently a display on 2nd Floor South at Marx Library highlighting a few of the resources we have in our government documents collection on this event. There is a companion 6-page bibliography of both online and in-house materials. For more extensive list of resources on the topic, see our LibGuide – Gov Docs: Hurricane Katrina (2005).

Additional resources:

Hurricane Katrina - August 2005 -- "Extremely Powerful Hurricane Katrina Leaves a Historic Mark on the Northern Gulf Coast"

NOAA Photo Library: Hurricane Katrina

Hurricane Katrina 2005 (U.S. National Hurricane Center)

Hurricane season is upon us again!

While anyone from down South knows the full capabilities of these super storms, those new to the area might find this annual surge in severe weather a little daunting. Tropical cyclones are capable of damaging winds, high levels of rainfall, and widespread community damage. For these very reasons, hurricane preparedness is essential. From building emergency kits to fortifying storm shelters, there’s a lot that can be done to prepare and persist through these super storms. Hurricanes have always greatly impacted the southeast region of the United States, but with growing concerns of intensified weather patterns, it is imperative now more than ever to be aware, be prepared, and to take action.

We invite you now to browse some of our department’s hurricane preparedness resources and informative display as we approach the most active months of the Atlantic Hurricane Season. The display can be found at Marx Library on 2nd Floor South with additional handouts and a 7-page bibliography. For even more information, check out our newest LibGuide, Gov Docs: Hurricane Preparedness.