ILS504 - Reference & Information Resources and Services

Group Evaluations / Bibliographies and Library Catalogs
[Listings followed by NF indicate my work]

     _________________________________________________________________________

American Book Publishing Record

Citation
American book publishing record cumulative (1992). New Providence, N.J. : R.R. Bowker.

Purpose    
This is a catalog of all the books published or distributed in the United States every year.

Authority
It is published by the U.S. ISBN and SAN agency, Bowker.

Scope
It offers over 73,000 cataloging records.  It is published yearly with monthly updates.

Format
It is one volume with supplements.

Arrangement
Data is arranged by subject in the Dewey Decimal Classification.  There is also a separate section on adult and juvenile fiction.  Title, author, and subject guide indexes are available.  

Entries
The entries are from MARC record data.  They hold Library of Congress Classification Numbers and Control Numbers, binding, distribution, and price.

Special features
Its frequent publications allows for current information on newly published works.

Use and overall evaluation
American Book Publishing Record is beneficial to librarians because new versions are available monthly.  This allows them to keep aware of newly published works

Bibliographic Index: A Cumulative Bibliography of Bibliographies

Citation
Bibliographic index: A cumulative bibliography of bibliographies. (2006). New York: H.W. Wilson.

Purpose    
This index provides bibliographies on all subjects, and offering citations to books and journal articles, and pamphlets.

Authority
This index is published by the well-known and respected H.W. Wilson Company.

Scope
It has bibliography entries from over 2,600 periodicals, covering all subjects.  It is published three times a year with annual accumulations.  Aside from English, it is published in a number of languages including Dutch, German, and Scandinavian, Slavic, and Romance languages

Format
This index is one volume with supplements.

Arrangement
Citations are listed under Library of Congress subject headings, and listed alphabetically.

Entries
Entries provide information such as the title, author, publication, and ISBN.

Special features
Library of Congress subject headings make for easy searching.     

Use and overall evaluation
I would recommend its online database version, The Bibliographic Index Plus instead.  It offers faster searching, more bibliographies, a library holdings indicator, and is updated daily.

Books In Print

Citation
Booksinprint.com Professional.  Retrieved March 12, 2009 from http://www.booksinprint.com/bip/

Purpose
Books in Print has information on in-print, out-of-print, and forthcoming books, audio, and videos.

Authority
This database is part of Bowker, U.S. ISBN and SAN Agency.

Scope
The database offers over 7.5 million items in their collection.  It has 6.7 million books, over two thousand audio books, and over three thousand videos.  The publications go back to the 1970s, but they do have reprints of older sources.  The site is updated daily.

Format
Booksinprint.com is an online database.

Arrangement
The database is most commonly searched with a QuickSearch, which allows the user to search by keyword, author/contributor, title, or IBSN/UPC, and if they want to also choose the status (in or out of print or forthcoming), and the format.  Advanced search options are also available, some of the options being works awarded or nominated for awards, country, publication year or name, review source, and price among others.  

Entries
Entries include the entry, the author, the publisher, the ISBN or UPC, the format, the date, the price, and availability.  The user can also determine if the titles have reviews, a synopsis, and a full text preview available.
 
Special Features
It comes with access to several databases:  Patron Books in Print is an easy-to-use database for library patrons, Fiction Connection makes fiction recommendations easier, and the Non-Fiction Connection makes non-fiction recommendations.  Hot New Releases gives the release date of books anticipated in the next 5 months. Forthcoming Book Room - Subject Spotlight gives a preview of future releases within a specific subject.  New releases by previous award winners, and what they think will be bestsellers.  Books in Print also offer complimentary training and remote linking from the user website.

Use and Overall Evaluation
This site offers many searching options, including by age group which would be convenient in a public library.  It also makes useful suggestions for current and forthcoming works.  It would be a very useful tool to have in a public library.  

British Books in Print

Citation
British books in print. (2009). [Dialog file 430].  J. Whitaker & Sons Ltd.

Purpose
British Books in Print is used for searching books published within the UK, or published elsewhere but available within the UK and in English.
    
Authority
This database is provided by J. Whitaker & Sons Ltd., one of the top publishers in the UK.  However, all data has been submitted by the publishers.
    
Scope
This database contains information on over a million books, audiotapes, and CDs. Periodicals, serial publications, limited circulation publications, and subscription-only publications are all ineligible for publication.  Information is submitted two years prior to its publication.  New versions are available annually.

Format
British Books in Print is a Dialog Database

Arrangement
This database can be searched by abstract, descriptor terms, language note, title.  Advanced search options are available if one wants to search with more specifications.

Entries
An entry provides the title, author, ISBN, status, publisher, publication date, print status, binding, country of publication, summary, book information (size, pages), Dewey Decimal number, intellectual level, and subject heading.

Special features
This database gives an intellectual level in entries, giving more information on who various sources are appropriate for.
    
Use and overall evaluation
This database is appropriate if specifically searching for sources published in the UK. Although the database does contain works published in the US, if the search does not require works from the UK then it would be more convenient to use another database.

Children’s Catalog

Citation
Price, A. & Yaakov, J. (1996). Children’s catalog. (17th ed.). New York: H.W. Wilson.

Purpose    
This is a catalog of works appropriate for children from preschool to sixth grade.  It also has information on literature for children's librarians.

Authority
This catalog is published by the well-known and respected H.W. Wilson Company.

Scope
It contains over 13,500 entries, providing information on “fiction and nonfiction works, story collections, picture books, graphic novels, and magazines”
(http://www.hwwilson.com/print/childcat.cfm#Print).  

Format
It consists of a 1,250 page hard cover volume published in 2006 and 3 paperback supplements around 170 pages each from the following three years.

Arrangement
It contains a classified catalog organized in Dewey Decimal Classification and separate categories for each subject.  It also has an author, title, subject and analytical index with all entries, and an annotated list of recommended web resources.

Entries
Entries include authors name, title, subject, editor, publisher, price, ISBN, subject headings, brief descriptions, and occasional reviews.

Special features
It now covers graphic novels for children, and periodical recommendations.
   
Use and overall evaluation
Children’s Catalog provides a good deal of information on possible works appropriate for a children's library collection, making it a handy guide for shaping a children's collection.

Cumulative Book Index

 
Citation
Cumulative book index: World list of books in the English language. (1933). N.Y.: H. W. Wilson Company.  
 
Purpose
A listing of books in English published worldwide, with a focus on US publications. Considered to be a supplement to United States Catalog also put out by H.W. Wilson.
 
Authority
The first index put out by H.W. Wilson.
 
Scope
A comprehensive listing of books and pamphlets published in English.  Put out monthly with annual cumulations.
 
Format
Printed format since 1898, CD-Rom version since 1987.  Ceased publishing in 2000.
 
Arrangement
Author, subject, and title entries are intermixed and arranged together alphabetically.
 
Entries
Full bibliographic information plus descriptions, prices, ISBN number and Library of Congress card number.
 
Special Features
Also contained a directory of publishers and distributors including addresses.
 
Use and Overall Evaluation
Ceased publication in 2000. May remain useful for verification of older titles.
              

Fiction Catalog

 
Citation:
H.W. Wilson Company, Bacon, C., Cook, D.E. & Monro, I.S. (1908).Fiction catalog. New York [etc.]: H.W. Wilson.
 
Purpose:
A guide to fiction books written in English or translated into English.  This is not a comprehensive guide but a selective one.  The selections are chosen by librarians from public libraries in a variety of geographical areas.
 
Authority:
Published by H.W. Wilson since 1908 and considered a comprehensive bibliography of recommended fiction.
 
Scope:
Hardcover editions published in the US, or published in Canada or UK and distributed in the US.  Out of print titles are included.  Large print editions published in hardcover are identified.   
 
Format:
There is both a print and an online version.  The online version is updated continuously.  The print version includes annual supplements as updates.
 
Arrangement:
The catalog consists of three parts:  an author index, a title & subject index, and a directory of publishers and distributors.
 
Entries:
The author index is alphabetical by last name followed by bibliographical information and a descriptive summary and sometimes an excerpt of a review.
 
Within the title & subject index, each book is listed followed by the name of the author.  You must then refer to Part 1 for the descriptive entry for the book.
 
The directory of publishers and distributors gives contact and ordering information of the books listed.  
 
Special Features:
Printed version: Includes an abridged edition of 1908 catalog issued under title: English prose fiction ... list of about 800 titles.
 
The online version has these special features:
Entries link to additional review excerpts from Book Review Digest Plus database.  
Retrieves records in machine-readable MARC format.  
Can instantly check your library’s holdings via a link to your OPAC.  
Search descriptive and critical annotations for specific words.  
Search simultaneously with other Wilson databases, including Readers’ Guide.  
Use and Overall Evaluation:
An excellent reference source for recommending fiction for adults.
                                                

Forthcoming Books

 
Citation:
Arny, R. (1966). Forthcoming books. New York: R.R. Bowker Co.].
 
Purpose:
To index books scheduled to be published and to update information found in the current edition of Books in Print.
 
Authority:
Part of Books in Print, one of the most comprehensive reference sources of its kind.
 
Scope:
Includes books covering all topics.  All types of editions and binding are listed.   
Does not include periodicals, serials, E-books, on-demand books, and books not available to the trade or general public.
 
Format:
Print version is published four times a year – March, June, September, December.
 
Online version called Forthcoming Room is part of the Books In Print online database.
 
Arrangement:
Entries are arranged alphabetically by ALA rules.  Has separate subject, author, and title indexes.
 
Entries:
Entries include as much bibliographic information as available.  Can contain up to 22 items of information.
 
Special Features:
The introductory pages have sample entries with a detailed explanation of each type of information included in the entries.  Also has pages listing abbreviations used, language codes, and publication country code.
 
Use and Overall Evaluation:
An invaluable guide for determining what new information will become available soon on any topic. 
                                                 

Fulltext Sources Online

 
Citation:
Fulltext Sources Online January 2007. (2007). Information Today.  
 
Purpose
A directory of publications that have their full text accessible online.
 
Authority
Published by Information Today which has had a good reputation among information professionals since its inception.
 
Scope
Include magazines, journals, newspapers, newswires, newsletters, and transcripts of TV and radio programs.
Does not include abstracts, directories, financial data, and statutes.
 
Format
Print and online versions.  Online version updated weekly.
 
Arrangement
Separate indexes by subject, geographic area, language, and aggregator (database).
Print version comes in two volumes.  Volume 1 is A-I, Volume 2 is J-Z.
 
Entries
Within each type of index, entries are listed alphabetically.  Entries include website address as well as all databases that contain it.
 
Special Features
Indicates the lag time between print publication and availability of text online.
 
Use and Overall Evaluation
Good to use for finding articles on any topic and knowing exactly what websites or databases to go to get them. Entries can be a little confusing, however they do supply a key to help you read them.
 

Gale Directory of Publications and Broadcast Media

 
Citation
Gale directory of publications and broadcast media. (2009). New York: Gale/Cengage Learning
 
Purpose
To list current media outlets in the US and Canada. Includes some international.
 
Authority
The definitive media source since 1869.  Formerly called Ayer Directory of Publications.
 
Scope
Covers approximately 58,000 newspapers, magazines, and journals as well as radio, television, and cable stations.  Does not include newsletters or directories.
 
Format
Printed version in 5 volumes, or an online version.
 
Arrangement
Volumes 1-2 are a state by state plus Canada index, Vol 3 a variety of other types of indexes including subject and publisher indexes, Vol 4 regional market index, Vol 5 international listings
 
Entries
Provides the name or title; owner or publisher; address; phone, fax, telex, and other numbers; names of editors and other contacts; a description including circulation size, price, frequency of distribution, advertising rates, subject coverage, availability in alternative formats, dimensions, printing methods.  
 
Special Features
Information is compiled in a number of different types of indexes.
 
Use and Overall Evaluation
Very in-depth coverage of media sources.  Excellent for businesses looking to advertise in a certain market, press releases, or even people looking for employment in media companies.

OCLC | Worldcat

Citation

OCLC Online Union Catalog. Dublin, Ohio: OCLC. (Online on FirstSearch as Worldcat)

Purpose

WorldCat Link Manager is open, interoperable link-server software that OCLC provides as a fully supported, hosted service. When your library users click a journal citation in your catalog or in your electronic databases, they are taken directly to the full content of the article in your collection.
WorldCat Link Manager is an OpenURL linking and listing service that allows users to link from an article citation in WorldCat to the full-text version of the article. WorldCat Link Manager "puts it all together" for libraries that don’t need the hassles of running their own link-server operation
 
Authority

OCLC – Online Provider
 
Scope

WorldCat Link Manager comes with a knowledgebase of over 90,000 journal records and more than 3 million records of aggregator/provider data, including 500,000 eBook records that are refreshed monthly. Library staff can modify title coverage information to accurately reflect the resources in their collections.
 
Format

WorldCat Link Manager not only shows full-text availability in your library, but also guides library users to relevant information by linking to library OPACs, online ILL forms, document delivery services, citation databases, bookstore sites or Internet search engines. It enables title search capabilities, as well as browsing by subject, publisher, database or package.
 
Arrangement & Entries

WorldCat Link Manager provides the complete set of titles available to your users, including those that are freely available. It enables title search capabilities, as well as browsing by subject, publisher, database or package.
Library users don't have to know what titles are available in which database. WorldCat Link Manager navigates them to full text regardless of where they begin a search (WorldCat.org, OCLC FirstSearch, Google Scholar, Gale InfoTrac, ProQuest, EBSCOHost or other abstracting and indexing services).

Special Features

Customizable knowledgebase. WorldCat Link Manager comes with a knowledgebase of over 90,000 journal records and more than 3 million records of aggregator/provider data, including 500,000 eBook records that are refreshed monthly. Library staff can modify title coverage information to accurately reflect the resources in their collections.
In addition, WorldCat Link Manager continuously tracks the coverage of over 100 of the top journal aggregators from ACM to Wiley InterScience, so it's easy for you to decide when you want to add additional links to eContent in your catalog.
Your holdings in the formats you need. With a single click you can download your holdings data in ONIX Serials Online Holdings (SOH) format, tab-delimited text and PubMed LinkOut format. Your ONIX SOH titles list can be used for other resource management services, such as OCLC's eSerials Holdings service.
Usage statistics. WorldCat Link Manager tracks title usage to support analysis of which titles are most or least used. COUNTER- (Counting Online Usage of Networked Electronic Resources) formatted statistics are also available.
 
Powerful linking. WorldCat Link Manager comes with a powerful linking engine that is preconfigured with thousands of linking methods. If your library is an affiliate of CrossRef, WorldCat Link Manager has built-in software to take full advantage of both DOI and CrossRef linking systems.
Your library's look and feel. OCLC will customize your WorldCat Link Manager interface with the Web design you specify. With WorldCat Link Manager, your users will never be confused by third party branding—your library's branding will consistently display to your users.
 
Use and Overall Evaluation

I think this is very useful! There is so much you can find online as well as all the special features to customize the searches and finds to your specific needs. Users can catalog exactly what they want, how they want it.
 

Jake: Jointly Administered Knowledge Environment

 
Citation

Jake: Jointly Administered Knowledge Environment: The First Open Source OpenURL Link-Server. www.jake.openly.com
 
Purpose:  To find online journals or databases
 
Authority: 1999-2000 Cushing/Whitney Medical Library Yale University School of Medicine
© 2000-2003 Openly Informatics, Inc.
Journal Descriptions © 2003 Genamics
 
Scope: an online database
 
Format: Online only, not in print.
 
Arrangement: Database is searched by typing in the name of a journal or database. Jake then gives you the top hits that matched your search.
 
Entries: Are given a Jake ID number, followed by the ISSN number, followed by how many databases are indexed with this entry, and finally how many databases have the full text
 
Special Features:  Gives the ISSN number, online link and what database the journal is available in
 
Use and Overall Evaluation:
 
Magazines for Libraries (JR)
 
Citation: Katz, B. Magazines for Libraries. 13th edition. New Providence, NJ: R.R. Bowker, 2004.
 
Purpose: It’s a review of publications for all serials collections
 
Authority

Published by the world-renown publisher R.R. Bowker since 1969
 
Scope

Publishes yearly
 
Format

1 large volume with a CD-Rom available with an online resource available.
 
Arrangement

The periodicals in the book are listed alphabetically by title, under the subjects given in the Contents. They are numbered sequentially.
 
Entries

Are listed with: Title, ISSN, Frequency, Price, Editor, Publisher and Address, Internet, Index, Circulation, Date Volume Ends, CD-Rom, Online, Indexed, Books reviews and annotations.
 
Relation to Similar Works

This is the 13th edition published of this work. Originally started in 1969 it is updated annually with a list of deleted entries from former editions in the front of the reference.
 
Use & Overall Evaluation

Overall I feel this book is very useful. A reader can easily search for a magazine and find not only an ISSN number, online resource but also a description or annotation of the magazine. I find this very useful for someone who is doing quick research or who needs a starting point for further research.
 

New Serial Titles

Citation

New Serial Titles: A Union List of Serials Held by Libraries in the United States and Canada. Washington D.C.: Library of Congress, 1953-. Monthly with cumulations.
 
Purpose

A union list of serials held by libraries in the US and Canada
Authority:  Library of Congress Cataloging Distribution Service and American Library Association
 
Scope

A two volume annual cumulation of new publications and publications whose titles have changed
 
Format

Two large volumes with entries listed alphabetically as well as eventual computerized support.
 
Arrangement: Entries are included, alphabetically, for all titles based on titles cataloged by the Library of Congress and cooperating libraries. Entries for serials, which are not in the Roman alphabet, are created through use of Romanization schemes accepted by the American Library Association.
 
Entries: Entries are presented in a traditional “catalog card” format.
 
Special Features:  Alphabetically listed titles make for easy searching, as well as the notation of any title changes
 
Use & Overall Evaluation:  There is a lot of information in two large volumes, which make for heavy reading. There are also no subject headings so one must know the name of the publication before searching, which is also a bit difficult.
 
National Union Catalog Pre-1956 Imprints (JR)
 
Citation: National Union Catalog Pre-1956 Imprints, A Cumulative Author List Representing Library of Congress Printed Cards and Titles Reported by Other American Libraries. 754 vols. London:Mansell, 1968-1981
 
Purpose: A repertory of the principal portions of cataloged collections of the major research libraries in the US and Canada.
 
Authority: American Library Association and Bemrose UK Ltd.
 
Scope: All works in the Catalog were printed or in the case of manuscripts written before 1956. Used with the current National Union Catalog issued by the Library of Congress, these two catalogs provide a continuous record of the printed word from the invention of movable type to the present day.
Format: in computer output microform
 
Arrangement: Three parts: NUC Books, NUC Audiovisual Materials and NUC Cartographic Materials. Each of these parts appears as a Register with indexes.
 
Entries: Indexes are: A name index (author/corporate name), a title index; a subject index; and a series index. Items in the registers are numbered in the sequence they are added. Items in the indexes are in alphabetical order.
 
Special Features: Each main entry is uniquely identified by a simple alphanumeric code. The first entry under each letter of the alphabet begins a new numerical sequence, which runs consecutively through the alphabetic segment. Each main entry is assigned an identifier, which locates within that sequence and which is in the form of seven digits preceded by the appropriate letter of the alphabet.
 
Use & Overall Evaluation:   This is very useful since this catalog, together with the newly printed version, provide a continuous record of the printed word from the invention of movable type. This is extremely important for not only history but for anyone who is searching for a print that was created.
 

PubList.com (NF)

Citation
PubList.com. Infotrieve. http://www.publist.com/  (on list)

Purpose
This site provides access to documents of magazine and journal articles, book chapters, conference papers, newsletters among its over 150,000 publications in print and digital format. This is a fee-based service and supplies documents that adhere to copyright laws.

Authority  
Frederick Bowes, III, a prominent figure in publishing, founded PubList.com in 1988 to provide document delivery services to the information industry, including businesses and libraries. In 2000, Infotrieve purchased PubList.com as an addition to the services it already provided in document delivery. Infotrieve provides document delivery, staff and technology services for 50% of the Fortune 500 companies in addition to colleges and universities, specialized, and public libraries.

Scope

Based on information on the PubList.com website, this is the only web-based reference for over 150, 00 domestic and international print and electronic publications including magazines, journals, e-journals, newsletters, and monographs".

Format
PubList.com is only available online. There are no print or CD-ROM versions.

Arrangement
This database of more than 150,000 magazines, journals, newsletters, & other periodicals is searchable by title, subject, publisher and ISSN. It is browseable by complete lists of title, publisher and subject. There are advanced search capabilities and a detailed explanation of how to conduct a complete search, how to narrow your search if you get too many hits and how to broaden your search if you retrieve too few results. There is guidance on the use of abbreviations and acronyms as well as 50 stop words that will hinder your search.

Entries
PubList.com is currently undergoing improvements and the database is not available for searching.

Use and overall evaluation
Based on the information available on this website and the quality of the additional Infotrieve databases such as Medline and ArticleFinder, this would be a valuable resource for free retrieval of journal, magazine, newspaper and other periodicals. The format is user-friendly and the interface is simple and straight forward with clear instructions for even the novice searcher.

The Reader's Adviser (NF)

Citation
Sader, Marion (Ed.). (1994). The reader's adviser  (14th ed.) (Vols. 1-6). New Providence,
    New Jersey: R.R. Bowker/Reed Reference Publishing. (APA style)

The Reader's Adviser. 14th ed. 6 vols. New Providence, N. J.: R. R. Bowker/Reed Reference Publishing, 1994. (From list)

Purpose
This bibliographic source offers a readers' advisory reference for librarians and patrons to aid them in the selection of what the editors consider to be the world's greatest books and writings.

Authority
The idea for this advisory first originated from a bookseller, Bessie Graham, in 1921 as a guide for booksellers. This bibliographic source has been considered the seminal work in reader's advisory since its inception. Jennie Flexner, founder of the New York Library's reader's advisory advocated its use from the time it was first published to the time she retired. Because it was founded for booksellers, this series is not only a guide to the classics but incorporates contemporary as well as controversial literature. With 50,000 new titles published each year, The Reader's Adviser relies on volume and chapter editors who are specialists in their field to decide what to include and what to leave out.

Scope
There are six volumes including the index which cover the best of nearly everything available in the United States today that is written in English. These six volumes have 110 chapters written by 120 contributors. The scope of this source is extensive, ranging from technology to ancient poetry to Renaissance philosophy to the ethics of modern medicine.

Format
The Reader's Adviser is available in print format with a new edition published approximately every five years. This reference source has no illustrations. All of the volumes are compiled and published at the same time, in the manner of encyclopedias. With this 14th edition, the size of the book has increased from 6" x 9" to 7" x 10".

Arrangement
This source is broken down into five volumes with a sixth index volume. The volumes are arranged as follows:
Volume 1: The Best Reference Works, British Literature, and American Literature
         David Scott Kastam and Emory Elliott, Volume editors
Volume 2: The Best in World Literature, Robert DiYanni, Editor
Volume 3: The Best in Social Sciences, History, and the Arts, John G. Dproat, Editor
Volume 4: The Best in Philosophy and Religion, Robert S Ellwood, Editor
Volume 5: The Best in Science, Technology, and Medicine, Carl Mitcham and William F. Williams, Editors

Entries
Entries are listed alphabetically and are extensively annotated. In addition to books that are in print, this reference also includes valuable out of print works that most mid-size public libraries still have on their shelves. ISBN and prices are now included with each entry. The index is located in Volume 6 as well as individual indexes in each volume of names, titles and subjects.

Relation to similar works
This is currently the 14th edition of this work. Originally published in one volume, by 1968 there were 2 volumes, by 1977 there were 3 and by 1988 there were 6 volumes including the index.

Use and Overall Evaluation
Listed at $700.00 for the complete set, this would be a worthwhile addition to all but the smallest of public libraries. The format has not changed significantly in almost ninety years providing essential guidance from general information to specific knowledge for everyone from students to teachers, from librarians to casual and serious readers as well as booksellers.

Standard Periodical Directory (NF)

Citation
Banks, Beverly, & Ruggles, Jean (Eds.). (2004). Standard periodical directory. (27th ed.).
    New York: Oxbridge Communications.  (APA Style)

Standard Periodical Directory. 27th ed. New York: Oxbridge Communications, 2004.
(from list)

Purpose
This directory provides comprehensive information on periodicals published in the United States and Canada.

Authority
Published by Oxbridge Communications, Inc, a well respected and authoritative source of listings and information on periodicals in the United States and Canada. Their database contains over 70,000 listings and is used by census bureaus, copyright agencies, and post offices.

Scope
First published in 1964, the Standard Periodical Directory is considered the gold standard for research and reference questions on periodicals. This directory has over 2,000 pages with information on over 60,000 journals, magazines, newsletters, newspapers, yearbooks, online publications, college publications and directories.

Format
This one volume publication comes in hardcover, with some older editions available in paperback. Oxbridge Communications also offers this directory bundled together with the Oxbridge Directory of Newsletters, the National Directory of Catalogs, and the National Directory of Magazines as an online database called MediaFinder.
 
Arrangement
This print directory allows for browsing by title, type of format, subject, and geographical location. The online database allows searches by titles, circulation, category, print specifications, etc. Results are sortable by title, circulation, publication type, titles by company or state. Subscription options include the ability to download search results.

Entries
More than 16,000 magazine entries are arranged alphabetically with circulation information, ISSN numbers, the names of key staff members, subscription rates and advertising information. There are separate entries for over 15,000 newsletters, loose-leaf publications, email newsletters, and other media publications. More than 2,800 publications by college students, which are hard-to-find outside of college campuses are arranged geographically by city and state in addition to the name of the college or university.Daily and weekly newspapers are also arranged in this geographical format. There are over 3,000 directories and databases listed as well as over 12,000 professional, technical and scientific journals.

Use and Overall Evaluation
The Standard Periodical Directory is an extremely comprehensive and authoritative guide to periodicals in Canada and the United States. The online database, MediaFinder, is $1295 a year and the 2009 hardcover directory is listed at $1895. It should prove to be a valuable collection development tool for librarians as well as a reference tool for patrons, especially those seeking business related information.

Ulrich’s Periodicals Directory  (NF)

Citation
Ulrich's periodical directory. (41st ed.). New Providence, New Jersey: Bowker LLC.

Purpose
This directory has provided comprehensive information on international periodicals since 1932.
It is considered an essential reference source for serials and contains the most up-to-date bibliographic information on newspapers, magazines, and journals. This reference is a must for any serials librarian.

Authority
Ulrich's Periodicals Directory has been the authoritative source for information on international periodicals for over 75 years.

Scope
This edition has information on over 172,000 serials published throughout the world. Bibliographic and access information for serials users, and subscription rates to the latest websites is included. Twenty different document delivery services are indexed that offer full text articles from over 55,000 serials listed in this publication. In addition to these offerings, this edition covers over 30,000 serials available exclusively online or in addition to the hard copy. 5,539 serials are indicated as available on CD-ROM and are identified by the use of a bullet in the title index and a notation in the main entry. 11,000 entries were added this past year.

Format
Ulrich's Periodicals Directory is available in hardcover, CD-ROM, and through online subscription.

Arrangement
The 2003 edition is a four volume set organized and cross-referenced under 896 subject headings. Information is classified and cross referenced under 896 subject headings. Since the 21st edition, each entry is assigned at least one Dewey Decimal Classification System number.
 
Volumes 1-3 classify information alphabetically and by subject.
Volume 4 classifies irregular serials and annuals.
Volume 5 lists newspaper indexes, US newspaper indexes, online serials, online services, a newspaper section divided into dailies, weeklies, then lists by name and geographic breakdown

Entries
Each entry contains extensive information on title, publisher, address and telephone numbers, editor, year first published, ISSN, Dewey Decimal and Library of Congress classification numbers, and British Library Shelf Mark. You will also find information on document delivery services, circulation, advertising rates, abstracts, online and CD-ROM availability, rights and permissions contacts, subject headings and subject codes, subscription and price information. Periodicals that have ceased publication are identified by a dagger icon in the title index and the 3,600 new serials that have been added since January 1, 2000 are identified by an upside down solid triangle.

Use and overall evaluation
This is a must-have periodicals directory for any public or academic library. Ulrich's keeps the information listed current and up-to-date by mailing inquiries annually to almost 80,000 publishers. They also allow publishers to update their information online on Bowker's website. Because most publishers establish prices for the upcoming year between the months of May and October, Ulrich’s publishes this directory in November to ensure the most up-to-date prices. Due to increasing costs, Ulrich no longer publishes an Update so updated information is available at their website www.ulrichsweb.com. Because of their on-going inquiries, they also include serials which have ceased or suspended publication. The list price for this directory is $966. A nice inclusion in the preliminary pages is a listing of serials librarians who have won the Bowker / Ulrich’s Serials Librarianship Awards.

What Do I Read Next? Reader's Adviser  (NF)

Citation
What Do I Read Next? Reader's adviser. Thompson Gale.
http://0-rqst-agent.auto-graphics.com.csulib.ctstateu.edu/LoginModule/Goto.aspx?cuid=rqst&dataid=52 d

Purpose
What do I Read Next? is a readers' advisory database that provides the most up-to-date recommendations for any genre of book lover. Now, when a patron asks "What do I read next?" librarians have an excellent resource that is easy enough for readers of all ages to use.

Authority      
Gale has relied on librarians, book and literary critics, as well as experts in the field, including top editors, to compile recommendations of the "best of the best" fiction and non-fiction books published nationally as well as internationally.      

Scope
Because Gale has relied on the recommendations of experts in the field of literature, many of the titles on this database are award winners or best sellers. In addition, many of the titles appear on recommended reading lists available through schools, book groups, and public libraries. There are over 115,000 titles in the database covering all the genres, from historical fiction to horror to romance and even non-fiction.  gives you and your users over 115,000 titles, more than 62,500 plot summaries, 561 awards titles, recommended reading lists and biographical information.

Format
Books in Print is available in print format as well as an online database.

Arrangement
The interface is simple, straightforward and easy to use. On the left section you may search by author, title, or series. There is also a custom search option. You may also browse under these headings: Help Me Find a Book, Genre Searcj, Award Winners and Top Pics, and Who? What? Where? When? which allows you to search by character, topic, setting and time period.

Entries
Search results are returned in list format with the author's name and title of the book as well as a notation about additional information. There are thorough annotations on each entry as well as plot summaries on over 50% of the listings.

Special features
With their custom search page, readers and librarians can create personalized reading profiles to locate books. There are also specialized searches for finding similar books, and a feature that lets you create personalized reading lists. There are links to recommended lists as well as awards a book you have chosen has earned. The site keeps readers and librarians up-to-date with award winners, forthcoming titles, and monthly "themes". On the left sidebar there are links for monthly highlights, Gale Databases, Help, and Comments.

Use and overall evaluation
This is a terrific resource for any librarian in any setting, from grade school through college and on to a public library setting. This tool is sure to give librarians the confidence to guide readers to create their own "what to read next list" as well as giving librarians a tool to quickly and confidently create any type of "what to read next" reader's advisory.
 

Books In Print

            
Citation:
Books in Print. (1948-). New Providence, N. J.: R. R. Bowker.

Purpose:
Published in 1948 as an index to the Publisher’s Trade Manual.

Authority:
Published by R.R. Bowker

Scope:
Indexes all books published or distributed in the US with over 3 million entries

Format:
7 volumes in print as well as available online.
 
Arrangement:
Arranged by title and author.

Entries:
Contains entries with bibliographic information for all editions

Special Features:
Includes reviews as well as the bibliographic information.

Use and Overall Evaluation:
Provides access to many entries and is easily searched online  

            
Guide to Reference Books (NF)

Citation:
Balay, R., Carrington, V. F., & Martin, M. S. (1996). Guide to reference books. Chicago: American Library Association

Purpose:
Helps to select reference resources.

Authority:
American Library Association.

Scope:
Approximately 15,500 titles.  Coverage dating from the 18th century to 1993.

Format:
Print version until the year 2000, then in 2001 the online version is available only.

Arrangement:
Divided  into the following parts general reference works, humanities, social and behavioral sciences, history, science, technology, and medicine.  

Entries:
Entries are based on MARC records and are annotated to impart the scope, arrangement, and features of each reference source.

Special Features:
Easily searched by the table of contents and or the index.

Use and Overall Evaluation:
Very useful in finding the best reference source when searching for information.

New Walford Guide to Reference Resources (NF)

Citation:
Lester, R. (2005). The new Walford guide to reference resources. 3 volumes. London: Facet.

Purpose:
Provides sources of reference information available in the UK and other non-US locations.

Authority:
Facet / Library Association Publishing

Scope:
Provides suggestions for resources across all disciplines

Format:
Cotained in three volumes.  Science, Technology, and Medicine,  Social Sciences, and Arts, Humanities, and General Reference.

Arrangement:
Entries are by subject area.

Entries:
Entries include print and online sources.

Special Features:

Published over 3 years, it is the most substantial work of its kind in the English language. Provides a pathway through the huge quantity of information now accessible via the web.

Use and Overall Evaluation:

The focus is on resources that are most likely to be found and used within public, government, education or business information services

Public Library Catalog (NF)

Citation:
Yaakov, J. (1994). Public library catalog: Guide to reference books and adult nonfiction. Standard catalog series. New York: H.W. Wilson.

Purpose:
Lists recommended reference and nonfiction books for adults, classified by subject.

Authority:
H.W. Wilson.

Scope:
Contains a listing of non-fiction books published in the US, or published in Canada or the UK and distributed in the US.

Format:
In print and online

Arrangement:
Arranged by Dewey decimal classification, author, title, subject, and analytical index and also directory of publishers and distributors.

Entries:
Arranged by Dewey Decimal Classification s well as an in-depth key to the information in Classified Catalog

Special Features:
The most highly recommended titles are noted.

Use and Overall Evaluation:
An excellent source for collection development