Libraries, Archives, Museums: Alaska State Publications: Key pubs &amp; common questions

How do I find State publications?

State agency websites
For more recent publications, first check agency websites. You can get to most state agencies from the State's home page and then use the search boxes on agency websites, or use a site search command if available through your favorite search engine.
Alaska Library Catalog
The Alaska Library Catalog is still the primary place to go to look for State publications, especially if you don't find what you need on the agency's website. It will include records created by the Alaska State Library and the other State Publications Depository Libraries.
All archived Alaska State Government websites
The Alaska Library Catalog includes only publications that agencies send to us, or that we find ourselves and catalog. But we do try to capture all web-based publications using Archive-it. Therefore, if you don't find what you need on an agency's website or in the catalog, try searching our web archives directly. To learn more, use the "Website Snapshots" tab at the top of this guide.
Alaska State Publications Digital Library
This is the Alaska State Library's new repository for digital State publications. We are still migrating content from our web servers to this repository. Any distinct publication in this repository should also have a catalog record, but sometimes content will show up in the Digital Library before the catalog, so it might be worth checking both places.
Wayback Machine
If you don't find what you need using the above strategies, try the Wayback Machine from the Internet Archive.
Alaska's Digital Archives
Digital materials relating to Alaska's history, including some from state agencies, from collections across many of Alaska's cultural heritage institutions.
Alaska State Libraries, Archives and Museums YouTube Channel
Hundreds of digitized videos from the Division's collections, including some from state agencies, are available on the Division's Youtube channel.
Contact a depository library
You are always welcome to contact the Alaska State Library or one of the other State Publications Depository Libraries for help.

What are some good educational publications and programs for kids?

Many State agencies have education and outreach programs for kids and teachers. We've compiled a list here. If you find others, contact me to let me know, so I can add them to this guide.

Alaska Citizen Science Program
Individuals and school and community groups can help wildlife biologists collect data.
Alaska Constitutional Convention Recordings: November 1955 - February 1956
Not exactly a State publication (we weren't a state yet!), but still could be a useful and accessible resource for use in understanding how Alaska became a state.
Alaska Kids' Corner
Alaska Permanent Fund resources for the classroom
The Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation offers a PowerPoint presentation and quizzes for teachers.
Children's Safety Tips (Alaska State Troopers)
Printable pages with safety tips and drawings kids can color or paint.
Education Outreach (Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys)
DGGS scientists can attend science fairs and other activities and events at schools and libraries.
Fourth R for Healthy Relationships (Department of Health and Social Services)
Lesson plans to teach kids about healthy relationships.
Hands-on-Loan Program (Sheldon Jackson Museum)
The Hands-on-Loan program is now digital! Educators can submit requests, and in response the Museum will "set out a display of the objects, and give a presentation to your class on one of these platforms: Zoom, WebEx, or Teams."
Inauguration Materials for Alaska Governors in Alaska's Digital Archives
An eclectic collection of digitized materials relating to the inauguration of Alaska's governors. This can be used in conjunction with archived governors' websites and other resources on SLED.
Kids Don't Float Education Program (Office of Boating Safety)
Curriculum to teach boating safety.
Kids Rock! (Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys)
Educational materials for kids about earthquakes, tsunamis, glaciers, volcanoes, and more.
Play Every Day Campaign (Department of Health and Social Services)
Information and ideas for promoting health and wellness among Alaska's youth.
Resources for Educators (Alaska Department of Fish & Game)
Curricula and resources for educators to assist in teaching kids about Alaska's fish and wildlife resources.
Safe Routes to School Program (Department of Transportation and Public Facilities)
Includes "Walking to School Day" and "Walking School Bus" action kits and other ideas for encouraging participation in programs to make it safer for students to walk and bike to school.
School & Community Outreach, Including Supreme Court LIVE materials (Alaska Court System)
While programming appears to have slowed down with COVID, recorded Supreme Court LIVE videos and accompanying educational materials are available for teachers. Keep an eye out here for future programs.
Teacher Resources from the Alaska State Archives
Information about teachingwith primary resources, arranging student visits with the Archives, and more.
Transition Tools for Teachers, Parents and Students (Division of Vocational Rehabilitation)
Resources to help teach kids skills to transition from school to adult life and employment.

What State publications support civic engagement?

Boards of Fish and Game
From the website: Alaska’s fish and game users are encouraged to participate through appointments to the Boards of Fisheries or Game, service on one of 84 advisory committees across the state, submitting proposals for regulatory change, providing written and oral comments, and working with the boards at scheduled meetings
Contact lists for legislators
The Alaska Legislature has published contact lists, including mailing labels and email lists, for Alaska legislators.
Find your legislator tool
Use the "Who represents me?" widget on the bottom right corner of the Alaska Legislature's home page, and then write to him or her about your concerns.
Find House and Senate districts by community
The Division of Elections offers a feature on its site that helps users identify house and senate districts associated with each community. To find your legislators, use the Legislature's tool, which is also in this list of resources.
Legislative Process in Alaska
This pamphlet may provide the context that you need to write to your legislator or testify in committee hearings.
Online Public Notices
Includes notices and opportunities to comment on state actions and regulations changes.
Public Testimony Opportunities (Alaska Legislature)
Public hearing schedule and tips for testifying.
Using Legislative Information Office services
This web page describes how to send a Public Opinion Message to your legislators using an online form and attend hearings, work sessions, and other legislative meetings using the Legislature's teleconference services.

What State publications can help me understand State and local budgets in Alaska?

Alaska Taxable, 1967- (Office of the State Assessor)
Assessment and taxation information for Alaskan municipalities. More recent information is available through both a database and pdf's. Older versions are available as pdf files only.
Alaska Legislative Budget Handbook, 2022 (Alaska Legislative Finance Division)
Sometimes called the "Swiss Army Knife", this publication provides an overview of the budget process and what you will find in key budget documents.
Budget Reports, 2001- (Office of Management and Budget)
Governor's proposed and enacted budgets. In the Alaska Library Catalog, look for "[Operating and Capital Budget Workbook]." For detailed information by agency, select the link for the enacted budget for the appropriate fiscal year, then scroll all the way down and choose "Operating and Capital Details by Department."
Catalog record for Operating and Capital Budget Workbook , FY 1978-FY2011 (Office of Management and Budget)
If you need the OMB "Budget Reports" prior to FY2001, the first date found online at OMBs website, you'll find them in microform at the Alaska State Library.
Conference Committee Books. 1972- (Legislative Finance Division)
From the website: [A] detailed summary of each state agency's budget, post-session, at the individual allocation level. In each agency's book, you will find a summary of significant budget changes for that agency, specific reports that break down objects of expenditure, fund sources, and positions for each allocation, as well as changes from the prior year's budget.
Financial Documents Delivery System (Division of Community and Regional Affairs)
Access to every municipal budget and year-end financial statement submitted to the Division. Cities and boroughs are required to submit these documents. Budgets are available from FY2000 forward and financial statements are available from FY1998 forward.
Layman's Guide to the Budget Process
If you don't need the detailed Alaska Legislative Budget Handbook mentioned above, try this brief description instead.
Revenue Sources Book, 1970- (Alaska Department of Revenue, Tax Division)
Includes historical and projected State revenue.
State of Alaska Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, 1998- (Division of Finance)
From the website: A detailed presentation of the state's financial condition. It reports on the state's activities and balances for each fiscal year.

How do I research Alaska law and legislative history?

Guide to Alaska Legislative History Materials, 2013 (Alaska Legislative Reference Library)
An overview of documents available for Alaska Legislative History research and where to find those documents in libraries and online.
Alaska Legal Resources (Alaska Court System)
Describes the sources of law in Alaska. Covers statutes, the administrative code, case law, court rules, pattern jury instructions, Alaska’s constitution, executive orders, attorney general opinions, and municipal codes. Both print and internet resources are covered, and links to internet resources are provided.

I need to know what State official or agency is/was responsible for something

Handbook on Alaska State Government, 2022 (Alaska Legislative Affairs Agency)
Only the current version is published on the Legislature's website. Find an older version in a depository library or in the Alaska State Publications Digital Library. See links below.
Preservation copies of Handbook on Alaska State Government, 2008-
The Alaska State Library archives versions published since 2008 in the State Publications Digital Library.
Catalog record for the Handbook on Alaska State Government
Libraries have been collecting the Handbook long before publication on the internet.
Alaska Directory of State Officials, current version (Alaska Legislative Information Office)
The Alaska Legislature publishes the current directory on its website. Find an older version in a depository library or in the Government in Alaska Web archives. See links below.
Alaska Legislature archived publications webpage, 2015-
Provides access to versions of the Directory of State Officials archived since 2015.
Alaska Legislature archived publications webpage, 2011-2014
Provides access to versions of the Directory of State Officials archived from 2011-2014.
Catalog record for Alaska Directory of State Officials
Libraries have been collecting the directory long before publication on the internet.
Catalog records for the Alaska Blue Book
Published from 1973 to 1994.

I'm looking for State agency databases. How do I find them?

Alaska State Agency Databases list on GODORT
Daniel Cornwall maintains a list of some Alaska State Agency databases. The list is hosted by ALA's Government Documents Roundtable.
State of Alaska Geoportal
A number of State agency geospatial datasets can be accessed from this portal.

If you don't find what you need in these sources, search state websites for pages containing the words "database" or "search". For example, entering this query (in Google, DuckDuckGo, and Bing) will help you find ADF&G databases: database site:adfg.alaska.gov

Alaska State Publications: Key pubs & common questions

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