Cuneiform to Computer provides a brief history of how reference works developed, but concentrates on how they reflect attitudes of their particular period of publication. Each chapter focuses on a basic reference form and highlights the major titles in its evolution. Stress is on the inter-relationship of reference sources with social change and development.
William A. Katz is Professor at the School of Information Science and Policy at the State University of New York at Albany. He is editor of The Reference Librarian and The Acquisitions Librarian. He is also editor of Magazines for Libraries and has compiled a second edition of The Columbia Granger's Guide to Poetry Anthologies, as well as the seventh edition of his Introduction to Reference Work.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Preface Chapter 2 Reference Books from Cuneiform to Computers Chapter 3 Encyclopedias Chapter 4 Commonplace Books to Books of Quotations Chapter 5 The Reference of Time: Almanacs, Calendars, Chronologies, Chronicles Chapter 6 Ready Reference Books: Handbooks and Manuals Chapter 7 Dictionaries Grammar and Rhetoric Chapter 8 Maps and Travel Guides Chapter 9 Biography Chapter 10 Bibliography, Serials, and Indexes Chapter 11 Government Documents Chapter 12 Epilogue Chapter 13 Chronology
