United States Government Manual
The United States Government Manual is the official handbook of the federal government, published annually by the Office of the Federal Register and printed and distributed by the United States Government Printing Office.[1] The first edition was issued in 1935; before the 1973/74 edition it was known as the United States Government Organization Manual.
The Manual provides comprehensive information on the agencies of the legislative, judicial, and executive branches. It also includes information on quasi-official agencies; international organizations in which the United States participates; and boards, commissions, and committees. Appendices include a list of agency acronyms and a cumulative list of agencies terminated, transferred, or changed in name since 1933.
A typical federal agency description includes:
- A brief history of the agency, including its legislative or executive authority.
- A description of its programs and activities.
- A list of officials heading major operating units.
- A summary statement of the agency's purpose and role in the Federal Government.
- Information, addresses, websites and phone numbers to help users locate detailed information on consumer activities, contracts and grants, employment, publications, and other matters of public interest.
Since 2011 the Manual has been freely offered online, in a continuously updated edition, with annual printed editions still made available.[2]
The Federal Digital System (FDsys) offers freely downloadable PDF copies of the U.S. Government Manual for 1995-96 and all subsequent editions to the present, and ASCII text copies from 1995-96 to 2009-2010.[3] The annual printed edition of the Manual is now made available to the public in the latter part of the year.[4]
References
- ^ "About Us". The U.S. Government Manual website (usgovernmentmanual.gov). U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO). Retrieved 21 September 2014.
- ^ White, Michael (April 4, 2011). "Currently Updated U.S. Government Manual". Office of Federal Register Blog. U.S. Federal Register. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
- ^ "United States Government Manual". Federal Digital System (FDsys). Government Printing Office (GPO). Retrieved 21 September 2014.
- ^ "News & Notes" (PDF). Government Printing Office (GPO). August 27, 2013. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
External links
- U.S. Government Manual, official online version of the United States Government Manual, continually updated.
- U.S. Government Manual, official, freely downloadable PDFs of annual printed versions, 1995-present.
- U. S. Government Manuals, 1935-1951 Archived February 14, 2012, at the Wayback Machine