The volume is divided into the three branches of government, then by department, agency or office (see Table of Contents). The Plum Book also includes a breakdown of positions subject to non-competitive appointment, as well as federal salary schedules. For those who aspire to a career in federal politics, the Plum Book is an essential resource; for others, it's an interesting view of the inner workings of Washington, D.C.
Although the Goodson Law Library no longer receives the Plum Book in print format, it is available free in PDF and text formats through GPO's FDsys website. For the first time ever, it is also available in a mobile version.
Important Note: The Plum Book is not to be confused with:
- The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation
- "Blue Books" from the Joint Committee on Taxation (a.k.a. General Explanation Of Tax Legislation Enacted In The … Congress)
- The Little Green Book of Golf Law
- The "Maroonbook" (a.k.a. The University of Chicago Manual of Legal Citation)
- The Orange Book: Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations
- The Redbook: A Manual on Legal Style
- The Yellow Book legal and government directory series from Leadership Library (also available online)
For help accessing the Plum Book (or any other title in this reading rainbow), be sure to Ask a Librarian.