Getting started - online sources
http://digital.library.unt.edu/govdocs/crs/
Reports on a large number of current topics have been collected on this page at the University of North Texas.
Social Issues: http://www.multcolib.org/homework/sochc.html
Created by the Multnomah County Library, you'll find links to web sites presenting differing views on a broad range of contemporary social issues
Ready Reference Opposing Viewpoints: http://www.lib.lsu.edu/ref/viewpoints.html
From the library at Louisiana State University comes this excellent set of links to resources or information that provides position descriptions on current issues. Everything from the Congressional Quarterly to individual advocacy organizations are represented here.
Overview
Look for books to provide background. Sometimes it helps to think of the broader issue that underlies the current "hot topic". For example, if you're interested in sharing music files on the web, the underlying issues have to do with copyright and intellectual property rights.
Look for articles in journals for scholarly information. As with books, you may need to put the current issue in a broader context to find relevant information.
Look for articles in magazines and newspapers for current views.
