INTRODUCTION
The first encyclopedia of librarianship was published in 1958 under the editorship of landau .This one volume encyclopedia has been quite popular among the yesterday's generation of librarian's students and teachers of library and information science .its 3rd edition was published in 1966 ; whichever today has great historic value.Unfortunately , it has not been revised since. it is now replaced by a set called "ELIS" {Encyclopedia of library and information science}.
AUTHORITY
The authority of Encyclopedia of library and information science is well known through its editors "Allen Kent " and Harold Lancour" and Assistant editor "William Z. Nasri who are library educators affiliated with the university of Pittsburg "USA . There are so many members from all over the world in contribution team of this encyclopedia .Advisory board consists of 33 famous figures and impressive names in library and information science .This encyclopedia is certainly an important landmark in history of library and information science . It should be of immense value to librarians , information scientists and computer scientists. The publishers i.e. "Mercel Decker's an authoritative name in the publishers field or we can say it is a well known publishing agency of United States of America .The list of contributors to particular volumes is given in the beginning of each volume .Every articles included in "ELIS" is duly singed.
SCOPE AND COVERAGE
Encyclopedia of library and information science was originally planned to be published in 18 volumes ; but the growth of the subject has made it almost double the original size .The scope of the encyclopedia is evident from its title that it covers all the material on different aspects of library and information science and related areas . It also incorporated all the new concepts and techniques of library and information science are included . It covers concepts , topics organization, Association , libraries individuals in its volumes . Most articles have extensive reference sections also .This encyclopedia is considered as "International " in scope as such no other is equally reputed work is available in this field.
ARRANGEMENT AND WORD TREATMENT
The articles in "ELIS" are arranged alphabetically letter by letter .Articles in Encyclopedia of library and information science include both basic information as well as evaluative opinions about the topic .Interium index is given for 1-5 in volume 6 . Among 41 volumes published yet the volume 35 is Author index as well as Subject index.There are three cumulative indexes up to 33 volumes i.e.
- Contributing Author index
- Referenced Author Index
- Subject index
There are " Cross reference " are given from one heading to another to link the related topics . Volumes number are represented in Arabic numerals followed by Colon (:) page reference from more than one volume separated with a Semicolon ( ;) Each index is arranged alphabetically subject wise . Scholarly language is used . The articles includes illustration and graphical representation wherever required, The articles very in length covering a wide range of subjects . The final volumes of " ELIS " contained analytic index to the entire work.
FORMAT
The format is attractive and pleasing . The binding is good and it is in "Blue Color " with " Golden " tooling on spine . Quality of paper is fine and typefaces are readable to the best. The size of volume is quite handy . The main heading is written in bold and subheading is written in simple faces. side margin is sufficient but inner margin is less in main heading and subheading is distant.
SPECIAL FEATURES
- It contains Cross references.
- It contain glossary of related terms.
- It contains " Analytical Index " in its final volume .
- It includes list of contribution to this work.
- Graphical information is given wherever required or necessary .
- It contains illustrations and also constitutes a supplement to keep the "ELIS" up to date.
- It include Biographies.
CONCLUSION
As the work is the first complete and authoritative set on library and information science in recent decades . We can say it is biased towards " American " from its composition of the Advisory board as well as indicated by the topic . There is need to remove this orientation and make it a true " International " or rather "Non-National " in nature and emphasis . it is considered as a comprehensive work, Which is deemed useful for working library and information professionals students and teachers . and even information scientists. It is recommended to be every good library around the globe.
