Using Bibliographic Sources Sajjad ur Rehman Bibliographic Sources

Using Bibliographic Sources Sajjad ur Rehman

Bibliographic Sources • A bibliography is a list of items having the following features: – defined scope: type of material, time, area, institution, etc. – location device for known items or lists of items based on some criterion – systematic – enumerative – descriptive

Terminology • • • Bibliography Catalog (for specific libraries or collections) Database, indexing and abstracting services Lists (artifacts) Directory (for periodicals)

Why Do We Need Them? • Reference and information requests in relation to: – identification, location and description a specific document – identification of a sub-set from a source matching some criteria (author, publishers, subjects, etc. ) – readers advisory • Selection and acquisition

Problems with Bibliographic Control • Information explosion – number of published and unpublished items – diversity in media – lack of control in Web productivity – serials literature – ephemeral sources • Absence of policies, instruments and standards in developing nations

Qualities of a Bibliographic Source • • Completeness Access mechanics Extent of description Availability forms and formats

What is Descriptive Bibliography? • Describing a document for its: – identification – content indicators – physical features – location – access terminology

Types of Bibliographies • Universal – dream coming true through UBC, UAP • National • Subject • Trade • Institutional: library catalogs • Indexes and Abstracts • Sources for specialized materials

Criteria for Evaluation • • • Purpose Scope Methodology for compilation Organization Annotation/Abstracts Currency Accuracy Format Production mechanics

National Bibliography • • Intellectual Product of a nation or about a nation Produced by a national agency Coverage by period, language, type of material Use of classification system and indexes Legal deposit feature Automated databases Integration with ISBN, ISSN, CIP Examples: BNB, Canadian National Bibliography, etc.

Union Catalog • Holdings of a number of collections, using common parameters • Most notable example of National Union Catalog – – – has more than 150 largest libraries in USA basic, full authors bibliography a tool for authority, ILL, acquisition available in many forms: NUC Online starting 1901, printing since 40 s, on microfiche since 1983

Other Union Catalogs • OCLC being the largest database and cataloging utility • Others include RLIN, UTLAS • Serve as most comprehensive reference, acquisition and ILL tools with utilities for these purposes • Many additional value-added services now made available

Library Catalogs • Automated systems producing OPACs • Availability of OPACs on Web pages • Having pages with links to thousands of OPACs • Use of Z 39. 50 as the search interface for so many libraries • Search advantages • Value for reference work

Subject Bibliography • Primary parameter for selection and organization is the subject content, indicated by: – subjected headings – classification systems • Supplementary parameters: type of material, period, specialties, etc. • Indexes and abstracts (databases) • Pathfinders

Trade Bibliography • Issued by those active in book trade for commercial purposes – scope – coverage by forms of materials, language, region – use for acquisition, reference, and preliminary cataloging – reviewing services

Books in Print and BIP Plus • Since 1948 • Many releases: subject guide, out of print, paperbound, Children’s, British, International, etc. • Main has more than 80, 000 titles • Selection, acquisition and reference tool • Different access modes: online, CD, microfiche, print • BIP Plus contains reviews from major reviewing journals

Other Trade Bibliographies • • • CBI by Wilson ABPR Whitaker’s Cumulative Book List Canadian Books in Print Periodical directories – Ulrich’s International Periodicals Directory – Magazines for Libraries