Evaluation of encyclopaedias, Humanities

Assignment Help:

Evaluation of Encyclopaedias

A good and useful collection of general and special encyclopaedias form the backbone for the reference work in any library. The strong collection of general and special encyclopaedias in English and other languages ensure efficient reference service in a library. In this section, we will discuss various check points which can help in the selection and assessing the value of encyclopaedias before the acquisition for the library.

It is a very expensive venture to produce an authoritative set of encyclopaedia as it involves overall planning, engaging subject experts to write articles, competent indexers to provide layout artists, exhaustive index, and photographers for providing apt illustrations, accurate printing, efficient editorial and proof reading, adequate advertising through reviews in journals catalogues and announcement leaflets to booksellers, distributors, librarians etc. All these cannot be done cheaply. Reputed publishers recognise this fact by their experience in the field of publishing encyclopaedias and incur considerable expenditure to produce an authoritative work so as to earn the profit in turn. The prices of the authoritative sets of encyclopaedia are quite high, as the publishers have to meet with the expenses of high cost of production. Therefore the librarians have to make careful selection of the encyclopaedia and judicious expenditure depending upon the avail-ability of funds and space. Again, the librarian has also to consider the needs of the reader. They must be used intelligently to obtain the maximum benefit. It is not possible to make a perfect and complete encyclopaedia, as it is difficult to include all the existing information: Hence, the librarian should assess their value and find out their merits and demerits before acquiring them.

The main checkpoints for evaluating and analysing encyclopaedias are :

a) Authority

b) Scope and purpose

c) Treatment

d) Arrangement

e) Format

f) Revision

g) Limitation

h) Special features


Related Discussions:- Evaluation of encyclopaedias

Essential Points To Be Put Into Practice To Enhance The Trad, What is the c...

What is the citation for Bernice Bleedorn''s quotation at the end of the article, please?

Technology and Society, These essays should be a minimum of five paragraphs...

These essays should be a minimum of five paragraphs in length each. They should contain a clear thesis statement in the first paragraph (an answer to the question!). Make sure your

Communication, explain the importance of the various elements of communicat...

explain the importance of the various elements of communication

Killing kangaroos in Australia, I I want a persuasive writing about agents ...

I I want a persuasive writing about agents culling the kangaroos in Australia

Entries in a dictionary catalogue, Entries in a Dictionary Catalogue   ...

Entries in a Dictionary Catalogue   In a Dictionary Catalogue we normally provide.  Main Entries (under the author or title; if the author is not known; authorship is dif

Ageing and health, What is Ageing and Health- ? Please provide me report o...

What is Ageing and Health- ? Please provide me report on Ageing and Health . It is about 2000 words count report on topic Ageing and Health . Ageing and Health- Ageing, irre

Essay, I would like to know how do I start a essay papper

I would like to know how do I start a essay papper

Describes one of nanaivandak journey, "They went to one of the many restaur...

"They went to one of the many restaurants lining the 500-foot-wide avenue leading south from the imperial city . After some discussion about what sort of food they wanted, they

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd