This paper examines the involvement of the federal government in information activities and services, and raises questions about the legitimacy and consistency of this involvement. Three major areas of government policy in the information sector are discussed: research and development, the National Technical Information Service (NTIS), and public libraries. State and local policies in these areas are also described. It is argued that the research and development subsidy is consistent with the government's mission to support the public good, but that government support for the NTIS and public libraries is inappropriate because those services do not qualify as public goods. Twenty-two references are listed. (FM)