BRANCHES OF BIBLIOGRAPHY
A Bibliography can be defined as a well-organised list of printed, written or otherwise produced record of civilization. It helps as a guide the librarians and users in finding documents that they are not aware of (or not sure about their existence). Usually common in libraries are requests for documents by author, title or subject which are served with the help of library catalogue. But, in case a part of document is required or a document not in a library is required or author/title of a document is incorrect, the bibliographic tools help in locating the needed materials.
Based on the activities, to helpthe users, the following branches of bibliography can be identified:
- Analytical or critical
- Systematic or enumerative
- Descriptive
- Historical
- Textual
The above branches of bibliography have been identified for effective access to information and not just provide mere listings of printed documents. Of the five branches of bibliography, the major concern of librarians and users is for analytical and descriptive bibliographies as these aid in study and research and provide detailed description of documents as material objects; and enumerative or systematic bibliography which is a listing of books.