United States Government Manual, 2012

As the official handbook of the Federal Government, The United States Government Manual provides comprehensive information on the agencies of the legislative, judicial, and executive branches. The Manual also includes information on quasi-official agencies; international organizations in which the United States participates; and boards, commissions, and committees. A typical agency description includes a list of principal officials, a summary statement of the agency's purpose and role in the Federal Government, a brief history of the agency, including its legislative or executive authority, a description of its programs and activities, and a "Sources of Information" section. This last section provides information on consumer activities, contracts and grants, employment, publications, and many other areas of public interest. The Manual is also currently available and periodically updated on its own website. The U.S. Government Manual website (usgovernmentmanual.gov) is jointly administered by the Office of the Federal Register (OFR) /Government Printing Office (GPO) partnership. The website offers three ways to find information about Government agencies and organizations by entering a term in the keyword search box, browsing categories, or using "The Government of the United States" site map for an overview of the Government.