Introduction to Encyclopedias and it's evaluation

1. Submitted by,
Shibin S.B.
Encyclopedias

2. Encyclopedias
Encyclopedias constitute the backbone of
reference collection of any library. They are a
compendium of knowledge and form an important
part of reference collection. They are generally
multivolume sets arranged alphabetically.
Encyclopedias provide easy access to reliable and
updated information of all valuable knowledge of
the time.

3. Definition
The word “Encyclopedia” originated from the Greek word
Cyclo and pedia which means circle or a complete system of
learning.
“An encyclopedia is a general summary of thought and
knowledge which will serve as the basis for common
understandings between specialists and for the ideology of
education and so become a guiding centre for the intellectual
activities of mankind.”
-H.G.Wells
“An encyclopedia is a literary work containing extensive
information on all branches of knowledge usually arranged in
alphabetical order.”
-Oxford English Dictionary

4. An encyclopedia covers the following information
 An overview of every known subject to refresh
the memory.
 Definitions of the subject.
 Explanations about the subject.
 Historical or background information along with
data.
 Photographs and sketches of notable persons.
 Detailed index with cross references to locate the
information easily and quickly.
 Detailed bibliography or reference at the end of
articles.

5. Uses & Importance of Encyclopedia
 It provide information on various fields such as
smaller and larger fields treated comprehensively.
 Accurate and comprehensive information.
 Regarded as the backbone of reference service.
 Multivolume encyclopedias provide bibliographies
for extended search.
 Enrich general knowledge.
 Enables the users to have good knowledge about a
particular topic.

6. Types of encyclopedias
Encyclopedias are generally divided into two types
1. General encyclopedia
2. Subject specific encyclopedia

7. General encyclopedia
This encyclopedia provides a broad overview of many topics of
general interest. This deals with all branches of knowledge.
Eg: 1) New Encyclopedia Britannica
2) Encyclopedia Americana

8. Uses
 Contains informative articles providing general information
on various subjects and usually arranged alphabetically by
topic.
 Usually consulted to get factual or background type of
information about any information.
 Assist in enriching the general knowledge of a person and self
educate the layman.
 Provides facts, illustrations, bibliographical, geographical and
historical information.
 Provide long articles on general subjects and smaller topics
are included in them as well.
 Cover all types of information which is found in other
reference sources such as yearbooks, almanacs, atlases etc.

9. Subject specific encyclopedia
This encyclopedia is a specific one. It covers different disciplines
such as science and technology, medicine etc. It provides more in-
depth information about a subject.
Eg: 1) McGraw Hill Encyclopedia of Science and
Technology, 10th ed., McGraw-Hill, New York, 2007, 20 vols.
2) International Encyclopedia of Social Sciences, 9 vol.,
ed. 2, Macmillan, New York, 2007.

10. Uses
 Devoted to particular subject fields.
 Exclusive, elaborative, and exhaustive treatment which
gives a detailed account of the subject.
 Consist a collection of articles on a particular subject
area.
 Provide adequate coverage of the rapid advances in the
fields of sciences in recent years.
 Covers all minute information about a particular
subject for providing it to the subject experts for
advanced research and other purposes.
 More useful for special libraries than general
encyclopedias.

11. GENERAL ENCYCLOPEDIAS SUBJECT ENCYCLOPEDIAS
 Provide information on all branches of
knowledge.
 Cover broader field of knowledge for all
types of users.
 Arranged in alphabetical or classified
order.
 For generalreaders.
 Annuals or supplements are brought out to
keep them up to date.
 Generally considered as proper source for
research.
 Provides information on a particular
branch of knowledge.
 Cover a narrow field of knowledge
addressed to either specialist or non-
specialist users.
 Arranged generally in alphabetical order.
 Designed for satisfy the information needs
of specialists.
 Generally considered as proper source for
research.
Differences

12. Some Encyclopedias

13. Evaluation of encyclopedias
Encyclopedias are very costly. Each set of encyclopedia
costs thousands of rupees. A careful evaluation of the
encyclopedia is necessary before acquisition. Important criteria
for the evaluation of encyclopedias are:
1. Authority
2. Scope
3. Treatment
4. Arrangement
5. Format
6. Special features
7. Limitations

14. Authority
The authority of an encyclopedia of an encyclopedia consists of publishers, editors
and contributors. The authoritativeness of an encyclopedia can be judged by the reputation
of these authorities. They should be reliable in their field and have good experience of
producing encyclopedias.
Scope
Scope is very important for the evaluation of encyclopedia. It determines the
inclusion and omission of the information in the encyclopedia. The articles should be even
in length and content. They should be complete in coverage and facts given should be
accurate and reliable.
Treatment
Contributors are expected to write readable and easily understandable articles. The
information incorporated in an article should make the unfamiliar subject clear to the user.
Articles should be accurate, and should not be biased towards any country. Reliability,
balanced treatment and accuracy of information are important factors for any
encyclopedia.

15. Inner page

16. Arrangement
The arrangement of the subject in an encyclopedia may either be in classified or
in alphabetical order. Arrangement should be such that users can locate the
information easily. The arrangement of index and cross reference is also very
important in this regard.
Format
Format refers to the physical make-up of the encyclopedia such as binding,
quality of paper used, illustrations, maps, tables, diagrams, page make-up etc. the
binding should be physically durable and attractive. Paper used should be of good
quality. The headings and subject headings should be in bold type faces. The title of
the encyclopedia, volume number and coverage of alphabetical sequence should be
clearly indicated on the spine of the volume.

17. Contents of Encyclopedia

18. Special features
The reputation of the encyclopedia can be enhanced by adding some
additional features;
 Current and up-to-datebibliography at the end of the article.
 It should have an exhaustive index and cross reference to locate the
information quickly and easily.
 Utility of encyclopedia increases with proper illustrations in the form of
photographs, diagrams, maps, tables etc. given at appropriate places of the
articles.
 Providing guidelines for using volumes and contents of each volume in
introductory pages are important features to help the user.

19. Inner page

20. Limitations
An encyclopedia generally suffers from certain limitations which are as
follows:
 Due to the dynamic nature of knowledge, an encyclopedia becomes
outdated.
 Due to the pressure of new subjects, some good articles of real worth are
omitted in successiveeditions.
 It serves only as a background information on subjects and topics.
 Foreign origin encyclopedias may suffer from bias. For example,
‘Encyclopedia Americana’ have American bias.
 Bibliographies given at the end of some of the articles are not exhaustive
and are not selectivein nature.

21. Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica is the most popular encyclopaedia
among all the encycopaedias. This encyclopaedia has been serving its users
for more than 200 years.
There are many editions of this encyclopaedia which have many
features which undergoes many changes from one to another. But the 15th
edition which have 30 volumes is the most peculiar one. It was published
under the title “New Encyclopaedia Britannica” which incorporates the
reference and educational function. It has three parts.
1)Propedia - 1st volume known as the outline of knowledge and
guide to Britannica. It gives introduction to articles in Macropedia
2)Micropedia – Next 10 volumes which performs the reference
function. It contains brief factual information for ready reference. Entries are
arranged alphabetically from A to Z. Alphabetisation is according to “word by
word”
3)Macropedia – Following 19 volumes which performs the
educational function. It contains lengthy articles or knowledge in depth. It is
intended to educate the serious readers who want in-depth information.

22. MICROPAEDIA MACROPAEDIA

23. Let’s evaluate some
encyclopedias….

24. Encyclopedia Americana, New York, Grolier, 30
Vols.,1829(2006 ed.)
This was first published between 1829 and 1833 in 13
volumes. It was based on the German Lexicon “Brokhaus
Konversation” containing articles translated from German work.
Many American and European intellectuals contributed to the first
edition. It was followed by several partial revisions. A completely
new edition was published between 1918 and 1920 in 30 volumes,
which has become the basis for successive edition.

25. A uthority
Received more acceptance for its authenticity and readability. There were
about 6000 contributors to the 1973 edition. These contributors and scholars are
authorities in their fields.
Scope
The latest edition contains 45,000 articles varying from 500 words to 3,00,000
words, 23,000 illustrations, 1,200 maps in 2600 pages, 1,50,000 cross references, 3800
diagrams and charts. The information is presented in organized form. The first volume
contains preface, list of editorial staff, contributors, and list of abbreviations'. It contains a
series of historical essays covering each of the centuries. Cross references in the articles lead
to the related articles.
A rran g emen t
Entries are arranged alphabetically from A to Z. Alphabetization is
according to “word-by-word”. It provides comprehensive, reliable and up-to-date
information. Chronological table provides a quick view of history.
Format
Headings and subheadings are provided in bold face. Also for better
understanding of articles, it provides maps, tables, black and white line art, color
images etc.

26. TREATMENT
The index also lists thousands of articles for which there are no separate
articles, but does provide listing of articles that cover the subject. In all cases,
volumes and page numbers are provided. The sentence structure is very simple with
easy understanding vocabulary.
SPECIAL FEATURES
Today, each year Americana released more than 600 titles for readers of
all ages from childhood in a variety of print and digital formats. As well as more
than 90 years of experience supporting the learning lives of children, today
scholastic remains committed to providing quality, engaging educational content in
digital and print format for the new generation of learners. This encyclopedia is
intended for use as a reference resource in schools, colleges and libraries.
Limitation s
This encyclopedia is biased towards the American history, geography etc.
This encyclopedia is weaker in Music, Arts and Architecture.

27. McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology,
New York: McGraw-Hill, 20 vols.,10th ed.,2007.
This is a comprehensive Encyclopedia covering all the
branches of Science and Technology. It was first published in
1960. Since then, it has been continuously revised.

28. A uthority
About 5000 contributors including 25 Nobel prize winners have
contributed to the encyclopedia. The articles are written by international leaders in
science and technology selected by McGraw-Hill based of editors.
Scope
This encyclopedia consists of more than 7000 articles nearly in 100 fields of
science and technology. It consists of 1700 new and updated articles and more than 12000
illustrations. Articles incorporated in it are of very high quality. They usually begin with the
definition of the subject. And goes on providing background information and further guide
the user to more detailed information. The work is periodically revised and updated.
A rran g emen t
Articles are arranged alphabetically and especially, in letter by letter
arrangement. Each article provides the definition. Cross-references are given at the
end of sub-heading. The reference offers the user the option of trying related articles.
Format
The text of this new edition is supplemented with coloured photographs,
drawings, charts, tables, chemical structures and mathematical equations to
facilitate easy understanding. Headings are given in Bold face letters.

29. TREATMENT
This consists of 500 pages analytical index and an extensive topic index.
Articles incorporated in it are of very high quality. This is the first source for the
users to consult when they need background information on a scientific topic. It
treats every topic by explain it relating with modern science and technology.
SPECIAL FEATURES
“Scientific notations in encyclopedia” is a special feature of both volumes. It
aims to clarify usage of symbols, abbreviation and nomenclature. This encyclopedia is
very useful for laymen, scientists, teachers and students. It is easy to use both in
research and reference works. This encyclopedia provides up-to-date information in a
more attractive, more convenient and better organized format than the previous
edition. This is the best encyclopedia in the field of Science and Technology.
Limitation s
This encyclopedia does not covers articles on historical, bibliographical and
biographical interest unless these are essential.

30. Thank you