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Public Administration

Subject specialist
Dr. Robert V. Labaree
labaree@usc.edu
(213)-740-5824

Research Help

  • Research consultation
    • Dr. Robert V. Labaree, (213)-740-5824
    • Research Desk (213)-740-1768
  • To make an appointment with Dr. Labaree, email him at labaree@usc.edu
  • Electronic assistance: Ask-A-Librarian

Research Guides

Key Databases

Below are links to databases and electronic resources that support the study of public administration and its related sub-disciplines. For a more comprehensive list, go here.

  • ABI/Inform -- the premier business and management database providing extensive coverage of North America and the world.
  • CQ Electronic Library -- provides full text access to the CQ Weekly, known as the pre-eminent resource for Congress-watchers who need nonpartisan information on Capitol Hill, and the CQ Researcher, which provides analysis of current public policy topics.
  • LEXIS/NEXIS Academic Universe -- a database of full text online news, business, financial, legal, medical, biographical, government and domestic and international newspaper resources. Updated daily.
  • LEXIS/NEXIS Congressional Universe -- indexes and abstracts a broad spectrum of Congressional publications, including hearings (testimony), committee prints, reports, documents, and full text of bills and public laws.
  • LEXIS/NEXIS State Capital Universe -- provides comprehensive access to state bills and laws, constitutions, proposed and enacted, regulations, newspapers of record articles about legislative issues affecting the states.
  • National Journal Group's Policy Central -- provides full text access to news and information about Congress, including bills status reports, an archive of campaign ads, daily analysis and commentary on Congress, campaigns, and the media, and a fully searchable database of the latest national opinion polls on campaigns, national figures, and key issues.
  • SAGE Public Administration Abstracts -- provides abstracts covering recent literature on all aspects of public administration. Entries are drawn from books, articles, pamphlets, government publications, significant speeches, legislative research studies, and other fugitive material.

Scholarly Web Sites

Below is a selective list of web sites that support the study of public administration and its sub-disciplines. Emphasis is placed on linking to directories and resource guides that direct you to additional scholarly sources.

Directories and Resource Guides

  • GovLeaders.org -- a free on-line resource designed to help government managers cultivate a more effective and motivated public sector workforce.
  • GPO Access -- a service of the U.S. Government Printing Office that provides free electronic access to a wealth of information produced by the Federal Government. You can search across multiple databases or browse using an A-Z list of online sources or grouped by branch of government.
  • Library Of Unified Information Sources (LOUIS) -- a comprehensive, completely indexed and cross-referenced depository of federal documents from the executive and legislative branches of government. Currently contains, in fully searchable format, seven sets of federal documents: Congressional Reports, Congressional Record, Congressional Hearings, the Federal Register, Presidential Documents, GAO Reports, and Bills and Resolutions.
  • LSU Libraries Federal Agencies Directory -- a comprehensive and frequently updated web site directory of federal agencies in the Executive, Judicial, and Legislative branches as well as all independent councils, boards, committeess, and commisions. Links can be browsed hierarchically or alphabetically.
  • State and Local Government on the Web -- provides one-stop access to the websites of thousands of state agencies and city and county governments. Drop-down menus can be used to view all the websites in a given state or to view websites of state government constitutional officers, state legislatures, state judiciaries and departments across all states.

Organizations/Think Tanks

  • American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) -- the leading public service organization that advances the art, science, teaching, and practice of public and non-profit administration.
  • International Public Management Network (IPMN) -- a voluntary network and non-profit corporation that provides a forum for sharing ideas, concepts and results of research and practice in the field of public management, and to stimulate critical thinking about alternative approaches to problem solving and decision making in the public sector.
  • National Academy of Public Administration -- established in 1967 and chartered by Congress, this is a non-profit, independent coalition of top public management and organizational leaders who tackle the nation’s most critical and complex challenges.
  • National Institute for Research Advancement (NIRA) Directory of Think Tanks -- provides a systematic introduction to the world's most prominent and innovative public policy research institutes, or "think tanks."
  • Partnership for Public Service -- this nonprofit organization works to revitalize our federal government by inspiring a new generation to serve and by transforming the way government works.
  • Public Policy Institute of California -- a private nonprofit organization dedicated to informing and improving public policy in California through independent, objective, nonpartisan research. Publishes a variety of policy reports and research studies.
  • United Nations Online Network in Public Administration and Finance -- the mission of UNPAN is to promote the sharing of knowledge, experiences and best practices throughout the world in sound public policies, effective public administration, and efficient civil services, through capacity-building and cooperation among the United Nations member states. Comprehensive and international in scope.

Profile of the Collection

The primary location for all materials is the Von KleinSmid Center Library. The collection emphasis is on personnel management, organizational theory, public policy, public and non-profit management, and ethics in government. Additional coverage is included for environmental and natural resources management, administrative law, and comparative public administration. There are no geographical limitations, but particular emphasis is placed on European countries in support of the European Union documents collection. With the exception of administrative theory and ideology and classic texts in public administration, only mid- to late twentieth century and current materials are maintained in the VKC Library. Holdings consist largely of scholarly journals, monographs [books], newsletters, and collections of essays or conference proceedings. Individual titles of institutionally sponsored research papers may be acquired on a case-by-case basis. Materials in public policy and public administration at a professional and practitioner level are purchased selectively. Collecting efforts in domestic public administration emphasize material either published in or translated into English. Materials in major European languages are purchased highly selectively, except in support of the international documents collection. For a more comprehensive overview and analysis of the current collection policy, GO HERE [pdf].

Instruction Services for Faculty

To schedule a class on how to effectively use the library's services and resources and/or to schedule tours of the Von KleinSmid Center Library, e-mail Dr. Labaree at labaree@usc.edu or use the link below:

Last Updated:6/6/08