Federal Documents on U.S. Government & Civics

As summer winds down and school bells start ringing, it’s the perfect time to brush up on the basics of how our government works! Whether you’re a student, parent, educator, or lifelong learner, this month’s featured federal documents offer a fun, interactive look at civics in the U.S.

Ben's Guide image with cartoon Ben Franklin character.From the engaging, kid-friendly world of Ben’s Guide (starring a cartoon Ben Franklin!) to thought-provoking essays by young writers and colorful overviews of Supreme Court justices, these publications bring American democracy to life. Discover the stories behind our nation's symbols, meet the people who shaped history, and explore how printing, policymaking, and civic participation all connect.

And don’t forget to stop by the South Carolina State Library to pick up your very own copy of Color Me Civics: U.S. Landmarks and Symbols! This bilingual coloring book—great for all ages—features famous landmarks and historical events, with descriptions tied to the U.S. naturalization test. Learn, color, and explore our country’s heritage together!
 

Federal Documents

Cover of Symbols of the U.S. Government: Ben's Activity Book

Symbols of the U.S. Government: Ben's Activity Book

United States Government Publishing Office

Ben’s Guide provides information and activities specifically tailored for educators, parents, and students in K-12. These resources can help teach about our government and how it works.

View in Catalog

Cover of The Constitution's Children: A Collection of Essays by Schoolchildren to Commemorate the Bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution, 1787-1987

The Constitution's Children: A Collection of Essays by Schoolchildren to Commemorate the Bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution, 1787-1987

United States Department of Education

Approximately 1,350 essays were considered and 150 essays were chosen for this book which contains essays from two Utah children: Maria Elena Ramirez (St. Olaf School, Bountiful, Utah) and Ruth Margaret Spjeldvik (Wasatch Elementary School, Ogden, Utah). The index lists the authors of essays considered. Among them are the following Utah youth authors: Kirsti Campbell, Angela Dean, Jerry Hislop, Sheralee Honey, Katrina Jacobson, Elizabeth Jensen, Jeremy Neilson, Shae Lyn Saylor, and Krista Wood.

View in Catalog

Cover of The Supreme Court of the United States: Its Beginnings & Its Justices, 1790-1991

The Supreme Court of the United States: Its Beginnings & Its Justices, 1790-1991

Commission on the Bicentennial of the United States Constitution

Includes a full-page biography and a full-page color portrait of each Chief Justice and Associate Justice of the Supreme Court.

View in Catalog

Cover of Creating Independence, 1763-1789: Background Reading for Young People; A Selected Annotated Bibliography

Creating Independence, 1763-1789: Background Reading for Young People; A Selected Annotated Bibliography

Coughlan, Margaret N.

The Children’s Book Section has prepared this bibliography as a guide in the selection of background reading for young people in connection with the Bicentennial of the American Revolution. The work is part of the Library’s larger bibliographic program for the Bicentennial.

View in Catalog

Cover of Scenes: People, Places, and Events that Shaped the United States Senate

Scenes: People, Places, and Events that Shaped the United States Senate

Koed, Betty K.

The history of the United States Senate is full of dramatic moments, famous senators, and nation-changing events, but it is also peppered with colorful characters and humorous incidents that have become part of the lore of an institution now more than 230 years old. This volume presents a collection of 150 scenes from Senate history. Varied in length and wide-ranging in topic, each scene represents a part of a much larger story.

View in Catalog

Cover of Squeaks Discovers Type! How Print has Expanded our Universe!

Squeaks Discovers Type! How Print has Expanded our Universe!

United States Government Publishing Office

This GPO comic tells how through a dream, Squeaks helps Jake write a report on the invention of printing and the importance of this invention.

View in Catalog

Cover of Helping Your Child Become a Responsible Citizen: With Activities for Elementary, Middle and High School-aged Children

Helping Your Child Become a Responsible Citizen: With Activities for Elementary, Middle and High School-aged Children

United States Department of Education

This booklet provides information about the values and skills that make up character and good citizenship and what you can do to help your child develop strong character. It suggests activities that you can do to help your school-aged children can do to put those values to work in your daily lives tips for working with teachers and schools to ensure that you act together to promote the basic values that you want your child to learn and use. Finally, the booklet provides an extensive list of books and other resources with character-related themes that you can read an discuss with your child to encourage character and citizenship development.

View in Catalog

Cover of Civics Framework for the 1998 National Assessment of Educational Progress

Civics Framework for the 1998 National Assessment of Educational Progress

United States Department of Education

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) is a survey mandate by the U.S. Congress to collect and report information about student achievement in various academic subjects, such as mathematics, science, reading, writing, history, geography, and civics. the National Assessment Governing Board (AGB) sets policy and the overall dimensions for the assessment program. NAGB has scheduled a National Assessment in civics for 1998 to gauge knowledge and skills about civics and government of the nation’s 4th-, 8th-, and 12th-grade students.

View in Catalog

Cover of Civics Flash Cards for the Naturalization Test

Civics Flash Cards for the Naturalization Test

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

USCIS Civics Flash Cards: These civics flash cards will help immigrants learn about U.S. history and government while preparing for the new naturalization test. These flash cards can also be used in the classroom as an instructional tool for citizenship preparation.

View in Catalog

Cover of Tarjetas de Educacion Civica para el Examen de Naturalizacion

Tarjetas de Educacion Civica para el Examen de Naturalizacion

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

USCIS Civics Flash Cards: These civics flash cards will help immigrants learn about U.S. history and government while preparing for the new naturalization test. These flash cards can also be used in the classroom as an instructional tool for citizenship preparation.

View in Catalog

Upcoming Event

Silver oyster shaped jewelrey on a wooden table.

Speaker at the Center: Silversmith Kaminer Haislip, "Charleston Silver, Past to Present"

August 7, 2025, 6:00 PM

Join us at the next installment of the Speaker at the Center series with Charleston silversmith Kaminer Haislip. Haislip's rice spoon was recently added to the Charleston Museum's collection and she has received a grant from SC Humanities to study silver techniques abroad. Kaminer will present a lecture titled Charleston Silver, Past to Present on the history of colonial Charleston silversmithing and how it relates to her contemporary silver designs.

This Week