Mastering United States Government Information - 2nd Edition by Christopher C Brown (Hardcover)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

The second edition of an award-winning text on government information for information professionals and those researching all branches of the US government.

A comprehensive textbook for library school courses on US government information, the second edition of Mastering United States Government Information can also be relied upon as a training tool for those new to the government documents community.

Written by Christopher C. Brown, coordinator of government documents at the University of Denver, this approachable book provides an introduction to all major areas of US government information. Including detailed information on all three branches of federal government as well as state and local government, this wide-ranging resource teaches readers to use census data, understand the regulatory process, cite government data, work with mapping and geographic information systems, and navigate intellectual property.

Important updates to the second edition include a robust look at Data.census.gov, further elaboration on bill tracking, and enhanced instructional tools for dealing with documents that will never change and the ever-changing discovery tools and web portals that have transformed access to these documents.

Examples throughout the text help users understand real-life information challenges, while exercises at the end of chapters help them become comfortable answering government information questions on their own. Several appendixes serve as quick reference sources. Students and practitioners will appreciate Brown's clear writing style and the breadth of information in this valuable resource.

Review Quotes

"I can't recommend Chris Brown's Mastering United States Government Information enough. His mastery of this important topic is unparalleled, and his enthusiasm for it is infectious. He brings to life a subject that, in lesser hands, could seem dreadfully dull. Brown's work is the standard for which all other works on government information must be measured." --John Cannan, Faculty Scholarship Librarian & Legal Research Instructor, Villanova University, Charles Widger School of Law

"What entities make the law and what do their rules say? Who lives in the country and under what social and economic conditions? How are decisions made, and how are they implemented and enforced? Ready access to such information is essential to U.S. democracy, as are the librarians responsible for ensuring such access for the public. Written in an engaging and informative style, Christopher C. Brown's government information course in book form is as useful for the subject specialist as it is for the generalist in charge of government information by accident." --Emily Drabinski, Associate Professor, Queens College, City University of New York, USA

"Mastering United States Government Information, Second Edition, is an indispensable resource for navigating the vast and ever-evolving landscape of federal government publications. Chris Brown is an expert whose clear explanations, practical strategies, and thorough coverage of legislative, executive, and judicial sources make his work an essential resource for libraries and anyone seeking to understand government information. This edition not only updates key research tools and methodologies but also emphasizes the critical role of government information professionals in ensuring access to public knowledge. Whether you're a librarian, researcher, student, or anyone seeking to understand government information, Brown's guide is an essential companion for mastering the complexities of U.S. government information." --Andrea M. Morrison and Jennifer Bryan Morgan, Library Faculty and Professors of Information and Library Science, Indiana University, Bloomington, USA

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