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

Get ready to Spring into Gov Docs!--

The frost is melting and our collection is in full bloom! Jump into our newest display - from the secret lives of pollinators to the blooming trails of our National Parks, come see how the government tracks the vibrant changes of springtime. And don’t forget that Spring in Mobile is a unique season of "color, culture, and coastal charm." See what fun activities and experiences are available to you in the surrounding area.

We invite you now to browse some of our department’s Spring resources - on display at the Marx Library on 2nd Floor South with an additional 4-page bibliography.

War Powers Resolution: Who has the Power?

The War Powers Resolution of 1973 is a federal law intended to check the U.S. president's power to commit the armed forces to hostile actions without congressional approval. It was passed during the Vietnam War era to reinforce Congress’s constitutional authority over war-making. The purpose of the law was to ensure that the collective judgment of both Congress and the President is applied to the deployment of troops during hostilities. It requires that the President submit a report to Congress within 48 hours of deploying forces into hostile areas where imminent involvement is indicated. If Congress does not declare war or authorize the action, armed force must be withdrawn within 60 days.

In the latest attempt to stop a president’s attempt to go to war, the Iran War Powers Resolution (H.Con.Res.38/ S.J.Res.104) was brought before both house of Congress at the beginning of March. It failed, with a House vote of 212-219 and a Senate vote of 47-53 against the resolution.

For more information on this topic, check-out our latest display in the Government Documents Dept., 2nd floor South of Marx Library. A 8-page bibliography, with many of the government resources available on the topic, is available for your convenience.

Daylight Saving Time (DST): Time to Spring Forward

Once again, we are going through the annual ritual of moving the clock forward one hour. Currently, in the US, daylight saving time starts on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November, with the time changes taking place at 2:00 am local time. Throughout the last century there have been various changes on whether or not to change to DST during the summer or stay with standard time (ST) throughout the year. Politicians seemed to prefer the observance of DST, while scientist seem to prefer ST. And the debates rage on.

For more information check-out our bibliography on the topic from our 2025 display “Daylight Saving Time: Is it Time to Say Goodbye?”