This book is aimed at an audience ranging from practicing librarians to students of public policy and administration, journalism, political science, library and information science and the general public. Its authors are well‐respected library and information science faculty and government information professionals.
The authors begin with an introduction to the history of government publishing. Later chapters discuss either the various branches of government and their publications or the types of information produced by the US federal government, with additional chapters on general indexes and the federal depository library system. These chapters generally begin with a definition or explanation of the branch of government, specific agencies or information type discussed and then provide a summary of the relevant governing legislative authorities, historical and political context and current issues. A summary of the major publication types or titles produced and discussion of specific finding aids and methods of locating information usually ends each section. Tutorials are interspersed within the book and also on the companion CD‐ROM. The CD‐ROM also includes practice questions. The exercise on estimating the cost of depository status will be of particular interest to government information specialists. Numerous URLs for further information and links to indexes, agency Web sites and information resources are embedded within the text and listed again at the end of each chapter.
These sections are most similar to works such as Joe Morehead’s Introduction to United States Government Information Sources and Tapping the Government Grapevine, by Judith Schiek Robinson, aimed at library and information science students. Indeed, some of the practice questions on the CD‐ROM are re‐published from Morehead’s book. While less detailed in its discussion of information resources than Morehead or Robinson, the authors do provide enough detail for most researchers. The introductions to agencies and branches of government, their history and the political context in which the agencies function are particularly valuable and are of enough depth to interest policy and political science students, as well as library science students or librarians. The authors have managed to pack a great deal into these sections and the entire book. However, it can be difficult at times to read the densely printed pages, especially with multiple URLs within the text. Charts are sometimes squeezed unattractively onto a single page.
Further chapters discuss freedom of information and records classification, personal privacy, paperwork reduction and electronic government. These sections thoroughly explore relevant legislation and the complex political forces (historical and current) which affect information policy and information availability. Reproductions of significant policy documents and legislation on the companion CD‐ROM supplement these discussions. A good bibliography on information policy is included in the appendix. These chapters will interest both political science and public policy students, as well as librarians and the general public interested in understanding the context in which information is created and made available. However, while the book hints at the impact of post‐September 11 national security concerns on government information availability, there is no discussion of the impact on information policy, recent significant legislation such as the US Patriot Act or attempts by government agencies to re‐classify previously de‐classified information.
All in all, the authors have managed to squeeze a great deal, perhaps too much, into this book. While not as detailed in its discussion of information resources as the more specialized texts for library science students, its discussion of information policy, legislation and issues is generally more detailed. The value of United States Government Information lies in its focus on both information policy and sources.
