What is bibliography? Briefly discuss the function and aims of bibliography.

What is bibliography? Briefly discuss the function and aims of bibliography.

Introduction : 

The term ‘Bibliography’ was first used by Louls Jacob de saint in his ‘’Bibliographia parisiana’ and become popular in the 18th century. It is come form the greek words ‘biblion’ and graphin’ . Biblion means ‘books’ and graphin means to write.’’ Thus etymologically(বুৎপত্তিগত) Bibliography means the writing of books. The meaning of the word  bibliography changed particularly since 1763 from ‘writing books’ to writing about books’
Currently bibliography is considered as ‘the technique of systematically production descriptive (বর্ণনামূলক) list of written or published records ( especially book and similar materials)’ and is defined as such a list . So produced and supposed to give sufficient details to fulfill its aim.

Definition of Bibliography: 

1.According to v.w clapp bibliography is the   systematic listing of records of human communication.
2.According to Bester man ; ‘A list of books arranged according to some permanent principle.’
3.According to Encyclopedia Britanica, Bibliography is the art or science of the description of books.

From the above definition it is clear that bibliography is the systematic list of books on a particular subjects

Aims and purposes of bibliography :

The UNESCO and library of congress in their survey report, 1950 have stated the following  aims and purposes of bibliography:
1. Its aim is to make it possible for intellectual workers to learn of publications recording the developments in their fields of interest not only in their own countries but also through out the world.

2. To promote (উন্নীত করা) the effectiveness of a particular project in research.

3. To contribute (অবদান) to the cultural development and enjoyment which are derived from records of learning and culture. 

4.Assist in promoting useful application of existing knowledge and making the application which have been developed in the country widely known to all countries.

5.The main purpose of Bibliography entry is to give credit to other outdoor work we have consulted (আলোচনা) in our research. 

6.Another purpose of Bibliography is to make easy for curious (অদ্ভুদ) order to find the source.

7. It is a way for some one reading his research to find more information on a particular topic.

8.To know the sources for example if we submit a paper or a thesis,  a Bibliography stated the sources which helped your research.

9.Bibliography entries are usually writer in a hanging indent (বক্রভাবে) style. 

Function of Bibliography : 

The function of bibliography is given below:
1. Bibliography is keys to the vast accumulation (আহরণ) of literature. It helps scholars to keep up to date and well informed on current literature in his/her field of interest. 

2. It has a great importance for quick and easy access to    information. 

3. It acts as a book selection tool. A subject bibliography  would indicate what is available on a given  subject and   similarly an author bibliography would indicate and authors previous publication and so on.

4.A Bibliography acts as a location tool.

5.In enables a research scholar to know what materials are already available there on a subject. 

6.To create new interest among general readers, bibliography has a great importance.

7.It also provides list of prior (পূর্বে) records of civilization which are the prime sources of information an any subject.

8.A Bibliography also helps us to ascertain bibliographical data about an author. 

9.It also helps us in finding out materials on a subject.

10. A Bibliography help in saving time labor of the readers. 

11.As the financial capacity of a library is often limited. In library book selection is largely dependent on a bibliography.

12. As its preserves all books, good, bad and indifferent, from oblivion(বিস্মৃতি/ভুলে যাওযা). It gives a comprehensive survey of the whole field of a subject.

13. It also helps us two ways : 
(i) In finding out materials on a subject. 
(ii) In preparing new Bibliographies for readers.

14. It is aimed at the librarian, the general scholar and lay man requiring data on a subject.

15. Thus it is a short of universal catalogue. 

Conclusion: 

A Bibliography is a systematic list of books or records. It is very important to scholars or readers to find information easily and quickly. The Bibliography is sometimes called works cited or works consulted. Bibliography entries must be written in a very specific format, But that format will depend us the particular style of writing we use.