Most of the U.S. and Kansas documents may be checked out at the circulation desk. Reference resources must be used in the library. Resources in the Government Documents Department are intended to be used and checked out by everyone, including the larger Emporia community and surrounding area. The Census Bureau produces many compact discs which provide information about population, housing, industries, retail and wholesale sales, as well as other subjects. Also available are CD-ROMs about general statistics, national defense, health, economics, and trade.
Maps are an important part of the documents collection.
Political maps are housed in the documents department. The Government Documents Department is also a depository for the Wolf Creek Generating Station at Burlington, Kansas. These resources must be used in the library.