Resource Center :
Library :
Bookshelf :
Bookshelf
The bookshelf will house information for a number of valuable resources that are not available electronically.
- Who Needs to Know? The State of Public Access to Federal Government Information. Bernan Press (2008). Written by OpenTheGovernment.org's Director, Patrice McDermott, this publication provides an analysis of the current state of public access to federal government information from the perspective of the person who wants to understand what his or her government is doing; how to interact with it; how to engage with public policy decision-making; and how to hold government, and those who act on its behalf or under its regulation, accountable.
Available here on the publisher's website.
- Government Secrecy: Classic and Contemporary Readings. Libraries Unlimited (2008). This collection includes essays on the history and philosophy, theory and practice, justification and critique, of government secrecy. The readings range from Georg Simmel on secrecy and Max Weber on bureaucracy and secret-keeping, to post-9/11 concerns regarding freedom of information and presidential secrecy. Co-edited by Dr. Susan Maret and Dr. Jan Goldman, with a foreword by Steven Aftergood.
Available on Libraries Unlimited's website.
- Secrecy: The American Experience. Yale University Press (1999). This book represents Senator Patrick Moynihan's critique of the essential nature of government secrecy. As described by Publishers Weekly, "Moynihan argues that secrecy, while necessary in a very few cases, is both counter to democracy and antithetical to well-informed choices, since what is not known cannot be debated or debunked. The inherent propensity of the bureaucracy to enlarge its powers has resulted in exponential increases in what is 'classified,' and national decisions are dictated by an unaccountable few."
Available here on Amazon.com.
- Citizen Muckraking: How to Investigate and Right Wrongs in Your Community. Common Courage Press (2000). A hands-on, practical guide showing how to be an effective muckraker, detailing methods used by investigative reporters to uncover and address the ethical lapses of corporate and government groups which affect even small communities. The narrative includes case histories in which one person or community illuminated the damaging truths behind corrupt powerbrokers, with inspiring results.
Available at The Center for Public Integrity's web site.
- Expanding the Public's Right to Know: Materials Accounting Data as a Tool for Promoting Environmental Justice and Pollution Prevention. Steven Anderson, Alicia Culver, Mark Dorfman, and Amy Hughes (2000). This "how-to" guide provides the basics on how New Jersey's materials accounting database can be used to learn about plant practices so environmental, worker, public health, and consumer groups can engage in discussions with plant personnel as well-informed and capable advocates. Also compares New Jersey's program with the US EPA's less comprehensive national Toxics Release Inventory and argues for its adoption by other states or nationwide.
Available at amazon.com.
- Litigation Under the Federal Open Government Laws (FOIA) 2004. Harry
Hammitt, David Sobel, and Tiffany Stedman editors (2004). This is the standard reference work covering all aspects of the
Freedom of Information Act, the Privacy Act, the Government in the
Sunshine Act, and the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The 22st
edition fully updates the manual that lawyers, journalists and
researchers have relied on for more than 25 years. For those who
litigate open government cases (or need to learn how to litigate
them), this is an essential reference manual.
For more information or to order click here.
- Presidential Secrecy and the Law. Robert M. Pallitto and William G. Weaver.
From Johns Hopkins University Press (2007): "State secrets, warrantless investigations and wiretaps, signing statements, executive privilege - the executive branch wields many tools for secrecy. Since the middle of the twentieth century, presidents have used myriad tactics to expand and maintain a level of executive branch power unprecedented in this nation's history. Most people believe that some degree of governmental secrecy is necessary. But how much is too much?"
Do you have other key books or reports on your bookshelf that provide useful background or important explanations on information and open government policy? Please email us your recommendations with a short explanation of the book, what you use it for and details on its publication for review by our staff.
