What do you mean by encyclopedia? Briefly discuss the up-to-dateness and limitation of encyclopedia and 3 international encyclopedias.
Introduction:
The encyclopedia is regarded as a backbone of reference service. These are frequently used in the library. It is considered a storehouse of knowledge and a systematic summary of all information significant to mankind. However, it is best used for finding answers to background questions. It also provides facts, illustrations, development of an idea or concept in a particular period, various points of view on a given topic and other relevant information.
Origin of the word ‘encyclopedia’:
The word 'encyclopedia' is derived from two Greek words enkyklios' which means 'circle' and paideia' which means 'of learning'. Encyclopedia is a circle of knowledge.
Definition of encyclopedia:
The Oxford English Dictionary has defined an encyclopedia as "a literary work containing extensive information on all branches of knowledge, usually arranged in alphabetical order.
ALA Glossary of Library Terms defines encyclopedia as "a work containing informational articles on subjects in every field of knowledge usually arranged in alphabetical order, or a similar work limited to a special field or subject’’.
Criteria of Evaluation
The check list for the evaluation of an encyclopedia for the purpose of its study should consist of authority, 'scope, treatment, arrangement, format and special features.
Authority
The work should be authoritative, accurate and reliable. This can be judged on the basis of qualifications, experience, reputation of the sponsoring body, if any, publisher, author/s, editor/s, etc.
Scope
The purpose of the work must be kept in mind. It should also be seen whether the purpose has been adequately fulfilled. The coverage of the subject matter, class of leadership for which it is written, up-to date-ness of the material are other factors to be considered.
Treatment
It is to be seen whether the work is scholarly written or is just for a layman. Whether the treatment is based or unbiased, whether the information is thorough, reliable and complete.
Arrangement
It is essential that the information is provided in such a way as one should be able to find out easily and quickly. The arrangement should have sound basis. In case of encyclopedia, generally the subjects, names, topics etc. are arranged in one alphabetical order.
Format
It refers to physical get-up of the book. The quality of binding, the quality of paper, the kind of type face used for printing, the make-up of pages with headlines, the quality of illustrations, plates, etc. are also to be considered.
Special Features
In the end, it should be seen what the distinguishing features of the work are. Does it include additional information in the form of appendices? Are the bibliographies up-to-date and useful ? What are the other steps taken by the publishers to keep the publication up-to-date? Keeping all these factors in mind an overall judgment is required whether the set would be useful for a particular type of library.
Description of 3 Encyclopedias:
New Encyclopedia Britannica
Chicago, Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc. 15th edition published in 1974 in 30 vols.
Encyclopedia Britannia was first published in Edinburgh in 3 vols during 1768-1771, under the title “Dictionary of the Arts and Sciences” by "Society of Gentlemen". In its 2nd edition it grew into ten vols. Its third edition published in 1810 was in 20 volumes while the IX edition published between 1875-1889 was in 25 volumes. Actually it is three encyclopedias rolled into one, extending to 30 volumes. The three parts are as under:
Propaedia: (before learning) in one volume, is an index to all that is to follow. It is an outline of knowledge and a guide to be Britannica. The whole field of knowledge has been divided into 10 major categories, i.e.
(i) Matter and energy,
(ii) The earth,
(iii) Life on earth,
(iv) Human life,
(v) Human Society
(vi) Art
(vii) Technology
(viii) Religion
(ix) The history of mankind
(x) The branches of knowledge.
Micropaedia:
Which means “little learning” It is in 10 volumes arranged in alphabetical order and performs the ready reference function. Each reference is briefly discussed. There are about 12000 entries and there are a number of illustrations.
Macropaedia(big learning) and is in 19 vols. It expands all the references in the Micropaedia according to importance of the subject. It aims to educate serious readers who are interested in studies in depth.
Encyclopedia Americana
New York, Grolier Incorporated, 1976, 30 volumes.
This encyclopedia is based on the seventh edition of the German encyclopedia "Brockhaus Konversations Lexikon published during 1827-29. It was first published between 1829 and 1833 containing articles translated from the German work. In 1903, Encyclopedia Americana was published as a wholly new work. It was followed by several partial revisions and he continuous revision policy has kept the major items up-to-date.
It contains about 60,000 articles, 17,000 illustrations and 3,25,000 index entries. The last volume 30 is the index, arranged in alphabetical order. The writing style is clear, the index good and the general format including illustrations arrangement admirable, and type-size adequate.
Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences
New York, Macmillan, 1930-35 Reprinted 1951. Editor-in-Chief: E.R.A. Seligman.
It is the first comprehensive encyclopedia in Social Sciences. It covers the whole field of Social Sciences including all important topics in the subject of political science, economics, law, anthropology, sociology, penology and social work, and social aspects of ethics, education, philosophy, psychology, biology, geography, art, medicine, etc. It contains biographies of about 4000 eminent scientists and about 50 per cent of the articles are biographical.
Articles are by specialists and are signed. The bibliography has also been provided at the end of every - article. Arrangement is alphabetical with cross references.
Keeping Up-to-date
It is essential that an encyclopedia brought out by a publisher at an enormous cost, should be kept up-to-date. The new theories, inventions and discoveries render considerable portion of the set out of date. In order to deal with such problem, encyclopedia supplements, annuals or yearbooks are brought out. For example. 'Encyclopedia Britannica' is bringing out ‘Britannica Book of the Year' and Encyclopedia Americana brings out 'Americana Annual for updating the information given in the respective encyclopedia. The encyclopedias generally follow a constant policy of periodical revision or continuous revision and their new editions are brought out after some interval.
Limitations
Some of the major limitations of encyclopedias are described below:
(i) Due to the dynamic nature of universe of knowledge, encyclopedias become out of date very soon. The supplements or yearbooks to encyclopedias aim to fill up the gap but these are not able to serve the purpose fully;
(ii) Because of the problem of space, editors are forced to drop many fine articles in successive editions. As a result a library is forced to keep different editions of a given encyclopedia;
(iv) Many of the encyclopedias are biased to a particular point of view or country. This leads to shortcomings in the encyclopedias;
(v) Due to the vastness of knowledge no encyclopedia can be best in all the fields. It cannot give detailed information on all fields.
Conclusion
The reliability of encyclopedias, compared to other sources of information, is assessed constantly, through statistics, regular reviewing and editing. Encyclopedias are mostly needed in libraries and reference information center. To provide proper service encyclopedias should keep up-to-date.
