Ben's Guide to U.S. Government for Kids

Here's an exciting new Web site for students, parents, and teachers. This powerful resource, Ben's Guide to U.S. Government for Kids provides a fun and educational introduction to how the U.S. Government works.

The U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) developed the new site.

With Benjamin Franklin as a guide, the kids' pages cover topics such as the U.S. Constitution, how laws are made, the branches of the Federal government, and what it means to be a U.S. citizen. Ben's Guide also includes games and links to other U.S. Government Web sites created for kids. A prototype of Ben's Guide was critiqued at the American Association of School Librarians conference in November 1999, where it received excellent reviews.

A service of the Superintendent of Documents, Ben's Guide offers sets of resources tailored to four specific age groups, plus a special set for parent and educators. It also offers instruction on the use of the primary source materials on GPO Access, a free web service of GPO that provides electronic access to a wealth of important information products produced by the U.S. Federal Government.

Benjamin Franklin was chosen as the "tour guide" through this site since he was, among many other things, the first public librarian in America and the first official printer of the colonies. His accomplishments earned him the honorary title of "first public printer" of the United States.

As the current Public Printer, Michael F. DiMario said "Studies have shown that students in this nation do not have an adequate knowledge of how their government works or a basic understanding of civics. Through Ben's Guide to U.S. Government for Kids, GPO is doing its part in educating our nation's young people about their government."

Any comments about or suggestions for Ben's Guide can be sent to askben@gpo.gov. This important feedback will be used to assist in the ongoing development and improvement of this site.