The Design of Bibliographies Observations, References and Examples

Subjects:

• Library & Information Science » Library & Information Science (General)
• Communications » Books & Publishing

Reviews:

• In Sidney Berger's The Design of Bibliographies: Observations, References and Examples we now have a concise . . . text that provides invaluable assistance in the evaluation of bibliographies based, in particular, on their intellectual and physical shape. Along with Donald Krummel's Bibliographies, which concentrates more on the content and the processes of compilation, it should become a standard tool, with special relevance for those involved in either the production or the evaluation and review of bibliographies. The text itself covers only forth-eight pages, but in that space Berger carefully describes, in well-chosen words and a readable text, all of the elements of arrangement, book design, content, format, layout, and shape that go into the production of a bibliography. His final chapter offers a few especially valuable preliminary insights into the steadily increasing role of computers and desktop publishing in the production of bibliographies. While Berger makes it quite clear what his preferences are on every aspect of the subject, his own lengthy, and well-annotated, 274-item bibliography of articles and books on bibliography shows that he thoroughly understands the field and allows the reader to seek alternative views. The most fun is found in the appendix, which contains a variety of facsimile examples of good and bad bibliographies along with Berger's critical comments on the good and, often, the bad features of each. Even the experienced bibliographer and reviewer can learn a good deal from this appealing and delightful text.
  —Wilson Library Bulletin
• Book designers need to be concerned with matters such as type size and style, page size, word spacing, line length, paper opacity, and legibility. Bibliographers need to ensure that the bibliographical data are accurate and that the elements are presented in an orderly and useful fashion. Working in consort, they can produce successful bibliographies. Above all, the organization of a bibliography should be readily apparent, and the elements in the individual entries should be distinguished by use of both typographic coding (bold, italic, capitals) and spatial coding (indentions, margins, line breaks). Those elements that Berger believes must be included, as well as those that might be, are set out along with a warning to quit before the bibliography outlives the bibliographer. A useful annotated bibliography of 289 works consulted, published between 1887 and 1990, is arranged by author and complements the text. The volume concludes with facsimile examples of pages from 35 bibliographies ranging from the well-known Bibliography of American Literature to A Bibliography of the Avocado, which was produced on a typewriter. Each example is accompanied by a critique of its design. Berger follows his own advice: the two-column format is appropriate to the page width (8.5 inches), and he provides a useful and well laid out subject index. He has assembled a wealth of sound advice for bibliographers, book designers, and publishers. Let us hope that they heed it.
  —Choice
• This concise work "provides invaluable assistance in the evaluation of bibliographies based, in particular, on their intellectual and physical shape." This appealing and delightful text will benefit even experienced bibliographers and reviewers.
  —The Journal of Academic Librarianship
• Berger offers sound research references and figures tied to the 52-page bibliography (the heart of this project).
  —ARBA

Table of Contents:

• Preface
• Introduction
• Book Design
• Bibliographies: Their Content and Shape
• Computers and Desktop Publishing
• Bibliography
• Appendix I: Facsimile Examples
• Appendix II: Legibility
• Index