1. Using Bibliographic Sources
Sajjad ur Rehman

2. 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

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

4. 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

5. 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number of published and unpublished items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

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

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

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

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

10. 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.

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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