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Problems with Bibliographic Control Information explosion number of published and unpublished items diversity in media lack of control in Web productivity serials literature ephemeral sources Absence of policies, instruments and standards in developing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 40s, 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 Z39.50 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