UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT MANUAL
 
 
The United States Government Manual.  National Archives and Records Administration.  Office of the Federal Register. (AE 2.108/2:)
 
The Government Manual began in 1935 and except for a short time during its early years it has been issued annually.  It is the official handbook of the Federal Government.  It provides comprehensive information on the agencies of the legislative, judicial and executive branches.  Information is also included on quasi-official agencies; international organizations in which the U.S. participates and boards, committees and commission.
 
Typical agency descriptions include a list of principal officials, a summary of the agency's purpose, a brief history of the agency with its legislative and executive authority, a description of its programs and activities.  Lastly is a section entitled Sources of Information.  This includes information on consumer activities, contracts and grants, employment within the agency, publications, plus many other areas of interest to the public.
 
There is a Contents in front which lists the main agencies and divisions covered.  There is also a Name Index and an Agency/Subject Index in the rear of the book.  The Name Index covers the principal officials of the agencies.  The Agency/Subject Index does not include material appearing in the appendices.  Agencies with common words in its title are listed under subject.  This can be confusing at times, i.e. National Institutes of Health can be found only under the subject "Health and health care" and not its full title.  Sometimes the "Contents" is more helpful in finding agencies.
 
There are four appendices located towards the back of the manual.
Appendix A - Map of standard Federal administrative regions and locations of Federal               Executive Boards.
Appendix B - Commonly used abbreviations and acronyms.
Appendix C - Federal executive agencies that have been terminated, transferred or                  changed name since March 4, 1933.
Appendix D - List of agencies and their corresponding title, subtitle, or chapter in the                   Code of Federal Regulations.
 
 
Questions:
 
1.      Who is the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court?
 
2.      Where do I write or call for copyright application forms?
 
3.      In what standard federal region is Oklahoma located?
 
4.      What does GAO stand for?
 
5.      How long did the Bureau of Sports Fisheries and Wildlife exist?
 
6.      Where in the Code of Federal Regulations do I find the regulations for the Rural        Telephone Bank?
 
7.      Who is the current Surgeon General?
 
Prepared by John B. Phillips, Documents Department, Edmon Low Library, Oklahoma State University, March 1991