United States Government Information: Policies and Sources

The first text to provide a comprehensive introduction to the information policies of the United States government and basic source material, this book provides students with an understanding of the underlying importance of policy and how it is formulated. It also shows how to locate information produced since the founding of the government in the 18th century, and traces policies and sources from that time to the emergence of electronic government resulting from the advent of the Internet. The discussion of finding aids and legislative history is reinforced with the inclusion of examples in the text as well as exercises. In addition to covering the three branches of the government, the text explains terminology and lists sources likely to provide relevant information on presidential communication and more. Chapters also cover the Freedom of Information Act and Declassified Records, administrative law, intellectual property, statistical sources, maps and geographical information systems, depository

Provides a comprehensive introduction to the information policies of the United States government and basic source material.

Library Journal

Hernon (U.S. Government on the Web, Professional Media, LJ 10/1/99) and his coauthors have produced a valuable addition to the literature on federal government information. Their comprehensive overview traces the history of U.S. government information policy from its first mention in the Constitution through the changes instituted since the terrorist attacks of September 11. Government publishing is also well covered, from the first publications of the Congress up to today's transition to electronic information delivery and services. Each chapter includes source notes; additional information (including review and practice questions) is provided on an accompanying web site (accessible via www.lu.com) and CD-ROM (not available for review). There is the occasional bit of outdated information (e.g., concerning Patent and Trademark Depository Library collections) and apparent author biases toward particular policies and their outcomes, but these shortcomings do not detract from the volume's overall value. Although other works have discussed various aspects of government information, this survey offers the best introduction to the topic for historians, political scientists, teachers, and librarians. For every collection with a substantial focus on government information.-Patrick Ragains, Univ. of Nevada Lib., Reno

PETER HERNON is Professor, Graduate School of Library and Information Science, Simmons College, Boston, Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Academic Librarianship, Founding Editor of Government Information Quarterly, Co-Editor of Library & Information Science Research, and an internationally acclaimed author of numerous books in the area of government information.

HAROLD C. RELYEA is Specialist in American National Government with the Congressional Research Service (CRS) of the Library of Congress.

ROBERT E. DUGAN is Library Director, Mildred F. Sawyer Library, Suffolk University, Boston.

JOAN F. CHEVERIE is Head of the Government Documents and Microforms Department, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.