Obtaining Data

The Bureau of Labor Statistics makes available the information it produces through a broad publication program which includes news releases, periodicals, reports, and bulletins. Some BLS material is available on magnetic tape, computer diskette, and microfiche. An increasing amount of BLS data and selected publications are also available on-line through the Internet at http://www.bls.gov.
 

News Releases
News releases are available without charge from the Bureau’s regional offices listed at the back of this publication and from the Division of Customer and Information Services, Office of Publications, Bureau of labor Statistics, Washington, DC 20212-0001. Regular mailings of releases on specific subjects, such as the monthly employment situation, are available to interested parties who ask to be put on the appropriate mailing list.

The most recent copy of every BLS news release is available on the Internet. (See Internet Access below.) In addition, an archival system is being developed and currently contains 2 years of news releases. Selected time series are also available on the Internet: http://www.bls.gov.

Periodicals
Subscriptions to the Bureau’s periodicals may be ordered front the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. Single copies also may be ordered.

Reports
Reports on information concerning BLS programs and some national data are available without charge from the Washington or regional offices. Regular mailings or announcements on specific topics are available, upon request, from: Division of Customer and Information Services, Office of Publications, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Washington, DC 20212-0001. The Bureau’s regional offices also issue reports presenting local or regional data. These are available from the originating regional office.

Bulletins
Bulletins may be purchased from the BLS Publications Sales Center, P.O. Box 2145, Chicago, IL 60690-2145. Selected bulletins also are available on the Internet. Bulletins that are out of print may be available for reference at public or academtic libraries and at Federal depository libraries.

Internet Access
The BLS Web site (http://www.bls.gov) houses a wide range of data and information related to labor statistics, including information about its surveys and programs, publications and research papers, data on selected BLS economic indicators, BLS regional information, and contacts at BLS for specific data series. The site also contains a lead to other statistical sites.

Microfiche
Selected BLS publications are available on microfiche with optional paper copy from the National Technical Information Service (NTlS), 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, Va. 22151. Costs vary for microfiche reproductions. Questions about costs of specific items and orders and remittances should be sent directly to NTIS.

Data Files on Tape
Magnetic tapes of some major BLS data series are availible for purchase. The standard magnetic tape format is 9-track, 6250 BPl. In addition, BLS makes available some microdata tapes (usually unpublished series) and also prepares customized data files on a cost-for-service basis. Further information is available by calling (202) 606-7789.

Data Files on Diskette
Some BLS data series are available on computer diskette in IBM-compatible (PC) format. Standard file formats are Lotus 1-2-3 or ASCII. (Consumer Price and Producer Price Indexes are available in Lotus 1-2-3 format only.) Diskettes contain brief descriptions of the series included. They are for sale individually (prices vary) or on subscription. For more information call the BLS Automatic Data Processing Support Group at (202) 606-7789.

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BLS Publication Lists and Directories

BLS Publications, 1978-93, Report 863 (1994). Index of BLS bulletins, reports, and summaries from 1978 to 1993. Free.

Monthly Labor Review Index, January 1991—December 1995, (1996). Index to all material appearing in the Monthly Labor Review except for unsigned items appearing in the regular departments. Free.

BLS Publications on Productivity and Technology, Report 815 (1991). Lists publications issued between 1977 and 1991. Free.

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Customer Service Guide. Brochure summarizing the kinds of information the Bureau produces by program; how to obtain BLS data and publications; names, e-mail addresses, and telephone numbers of information specialists by subject; contacts at other Federal Government statistical agencies; and a calendar of release dates of the Bureau’s major economic series. Free.

BLS Update. Quarterly annotated listing of new publications. Regular mailings are available without charge upon request to be put on the mailing list. Free.

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Periodicals

CPI Detailed Report
Monthly. $31 a year. Detailed current data on consumer price movements for the U.S. city average and 27 local areas. Includes charts and technical notes.

PPI Detailed Report
Monthly. $39 a year (includes annual supplement). Annual supplement: $33. Detailed current data on price movements for the net output of mining and manufacturing industries. Includes technical notes.

Compensation and Working Conditions
Quarterly. $15 a year. Articles and data on compensation and workplace issues, including occupational pay, employee benefits, employer costs for employee compensation, occupational injuries and illnesses, and summary information.

Employment and Earnings
Monthly. $40 a year. Current data on employment, unemployment, hours, and earnings for the United States as a whole, for individual States, and for more than 200 local areas.

Monthly Labor Review
$31 a year. Articles and reports on employment, prices, wages, productivity, job safety, and economic growth. Regular features include a review of developments in labor research, book reviews, and current labor statistics.

Occupational Outlook Quarterly
$9.50 a year. Written in nontechnical language and illustrated in color, contains articles on occupations, training opportunities, salary trends, and career counseling. Supplements material in the biennial Occupational Outlook Handbook.