The Humanities: A Selective Guide to Information Sources, 5th Edition

The burgeoning number of information sources and the continuing diversification of formats are revolutionizing library and scholarly practice today. While accessing information is easier than ever before, evaluation of resources has become increasingly more difficult. Mapping the vast terrain of knowledge in the field of humanities, this book offers information professionals and students of library and information science an up-to-date and reliable guide to approximately 1,400 of the most important and representative information sources in this immense discipline. Blazek and Aversa chart the entire humanities field, with chapters on humanities in general, philosophy, religion (including mythology and folklore), visual arts, performing arts, and langauge and literature. They present alternate chapters on "sources" and "access" for each subject. The "sources" chapters give full descriptions of key print and electronic reference tools. Sections within these chapters are arranged according to topics and type of publication (eg. bibliographies, indexes, dictionaries). When appropriate, the authors reference additional readings and reviews. The "access" chapters discuss how and where to find and retrieve information. Each consists of several sections - a working definition of the field, a section on use and users, a section on major divisions of the field, and a section on computers. These chapters also list important collections, research centres and organizations, and furnish other helpful information for students, librarians and researchers. Now in its 5th edition, Blazek and Aversa's new work covers a broader territory and more sources than previous editions. For the first time the authors have included web resources and their URLs on a highly selective basis. In addition, all sources have been reviewed and descriptions have been updated and in many cases expanded. Computerized databases (both online and CD-ROM) are integrated with the books. Detailed annotations give users an in-depth view of the sources and thorough indexes provide easy access. Designed for faculty and students in schools of library and information science, this text is a helpful guide for reference librarians and a reliable aid to collection development specialists in public and academic libraries. Humanities scholars, reference publishers and others with information needs in this broad discipline should also find the book useful.

Review :
"Now in its fifth edition, the book remains the guide in the field, with extensive updating, expansion, revision of text content ... Librarians and researchers will still find this book, with its high standard and fine tradition, to be an indispensable, up-to-date guide to information patterns and sources in the humanities. Highly recommended for all academic libraries."