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