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5856 results in Facet Publishing

Page 248 of 293

  • NAMES

  • Bob Duckett, Peter Walker, Christinea Donnelly
  • Book:
    Know it All, Find it Fast
    Published by:
    Facet
    Published online:
    08 June 2018
    Print publication:
    25 October 2008, pp 355-364

  • Summary

    Typical questions

  • • Have you got a book about the meanings of Christian names?

  • • I am trying to find out where the name Skipton originates from.

    • Considerations

    You can generally split this area into three subjects: the meaning of place names, the meaning of surnames, and the meaning of first names. Enquirers may be researching a place, doing their family tree, or choosing a name for their baby.

    Where to look

    Printed sources

    There are no general encyclopedias that will cover these subjects. You will need to look at more specialist dictionaries.

    People's names

    For first names there are several useful texts available:

    Cresswell, J. (1990) Bloomsbury dictionary of first names, Bloomsbury

    Dunkling, L. and Gosling, W. (1983) Everyman's dictionary of first names, Everyman Reference.

    *Hanks, P. and Hodges, F. (1990) A dictionary of first names, Oxford University Press

    For surnames, two of the best books available are:

    *Hanks, P. and Hodges, F. (1988) A dictionary of surnames, Oxford University Press

    Reaney, P. H. (1991) A dictionary of English surnames, 3rd edn by R. M. Wilson, Routledge

    *These titles have been partially incorporated into Hanks, P. et al. (2002) The Oxford names companion, Oxford University Press.

    There are also many books available about names around the world and their meanings. For example there are books on Welsh, Scottish, Irish, Muslim, Jewish and African names.

    Place names

    Try the following titles for British place names:

    Mills, A. D. (2003) A dictionary of British place-names, 2nd edn, Oxford University Press

    Room, A. (1988) Dictionary of place-names in the British Isles, Bloomsbury

    For world place names, the following is a good bet. It covers over 1000 of the world's more familiar place names:

    Room, A. (1987) Place-names of the world, Angus and Robertson

    Electronic sources

    An excellent site for first names is:

    Behind the Name: the etymology and history of first names

    www.behindthename.com

    For last names try:

    www.last-names.net

    NATIONALITY & IMMIGRATION

    See also Law

    Typical questions

  • • How do I get a passport?

  • • On what grounds can an overseas national qualify to be British?

  • • Is ‘English’ a nationality?

    • Considerations

    This subject is one to treat carefully. While, rightly, library staff must be wary of getting too involved in personal cases, enquiries may just be for student projects. There may also be language difficulties, and not just foreign languages.

  • QUOTATIONS & SPEECHES

  • Bob Duckett, Peter Walker, Christinea Donnelly
  • Book:
    Know it All, Find it Fast
    Published by:
    Facet
    Published online:
    08 June 2018
    Print publication:
    25 October 2008, pp 400-402

  • Summary

    Typical questions

  • • Who said ‘Let them eat cake’?

  • • Can you suggest some humorous quotes I can use for a talk I am giving?

  • • What's the correct wording of ‘All that glitters is not gold’?

    • Considerations

    Finding the source of quotations is a frequent task for library staff. There are numerous compilations of quotations. It is a subject beloved of crossword and quiz compilers. Writers and after-dinner speakers are also regular enquirers. Bear in mind that there is sometimes genuine uncertainty about the first recorded use of a ‘quote’ and it is worth checking more than one source if there is time.

    Collections of quotations are arranged in many ways, by subject, by first word, and by the person quoted. Although most books have indexes for the approach not chosen in the main sequence, it is useful to know which books in your stock are best for which purpose. There are numerous books on quotations; often you will have to look through all of them on the library shelves in search of the elusive quote. This is one of those categories of enquiries, especially for the phone enquirer doing a crossword, where one has to put a time limit on how long to spend searching. Perhaps a check in three sources is enough for the quiz addict.

    There are also books of quotations on particular subjects. These are generally located with other books on that subject, for example, medical quotes, biblical quotes.

    Where to look

    Quotations

    Andrews, R., Biggs, M. and Seidel, M. (1996) The Columbia world of quotations, Columbia University Press

    65,000 quotations from 5000 authors with 6500 subject categories. The 1996 print edition of The Columbia world of quotations is available online at www.bartleby.com/66

    Bartleby www.bartleby.com/100

    A website based on the 1919 edition of Bartlett's Familiar quotations. It has some 11,000 quotations.

    Bartlett, J. (1993) Familiar quotations, 16th edn, Little, Brown and Co.

    Cohen, J. M. and Cohen, M. J. (1998) The new dictionary of quotations, Penguin

    Farkas, A. (2002) The Oxford dictionary of catchphrases, Oxford University Press

    Jeffares, A. N. and Gray, M. (1995) Dictionary of quotations, HarperCollins

    Kemp, P. (2002) The Oxford dictionary of literary quotations, 2nd edn, Oxford University Press

    Knowles, E. (2000) The Oxford dictionary of quotations, 5th edn, Oxford University Press

    20,000 quotes from 2500 people.

  • EDUCATION – GENERAL

  • Bob Duckett, Peter Walker, Christinea Donnelly
  • Book:
    Know it All, Find it Fast
    Published by:
    Facet
    Published online:
    08 June 2018
    Print publication:
    25 October 2008, pp 172-209

  • Summary

    Typical questions

  • • How many women are there in higher education?

  • • Can you give me the address of … education authority?

  • • Have you got any information on educating my child at home?

    • Considerations

    It would be difficult to list all the types of questions you could possibly be asked about such a huge subject area, but suffice to say they usually fall into two categories; those relating to statistical or research information and those relating to contact details. In this book education has been divided into four chapters, on:

  • • general educational matters (includes statistics, law and research)

  • • schools and pre-school

  • • universities and colleges

  • • lifelong learning and e-learning.

    • Where to look

    General

    Education yearbook, Pearson

    Provides information and contact details of all those involved in education provision in the UK, including local education departments, central government, educational establishments and other educational organizations. There is also a section on overseas education.

    World of learning (2008) 58th edn, Europa

    Covers 30,000 academic institutions and 200,000 staff and officials. These include universities, colleges and schools of art and music among other institutions. Also available via online subscription: www.worldoflearning.com.

    Journals

    Times Educational Supplement

    TSL Education

    Tel: 020 7782 3000; Fax: 020 7782 3100

    www.tes.co.uk

    Weekly

    Times Higher Education Supplement

    TSL Education

    Tel: 020 7782 3000; Fax: 020 7782 3100

    www.timeshighereducation.co.uk

    Weekly

    Statistics

    For brief statistics on education use the chapters on education in Social Trends or Annual Abstract of Statistics, both published by the Office for National Statistics.

    For more detailed statistics use the excellent website of the Department for Children, Schools and Families www.dcsf.gov.uk. Many statistical publications can be downloaded freely. Go to ‘Tables and statistics’ and select ‘Research and statistics’ or ‘Local statistics about Education’. Highly recommended.

    OECD (2007) Education at a glance: OECD indicators, OECD

    400 pages of statistics and commentary. Available to download at www.oecd.org. Excellent.

    For research

    For research publications covering all aspects of education use the excellent website of the Department for Children, Schools and Families www.dcsf.gov.uk. Go to ‘Resources’ and select ‘Publications’ or use ‘Tables and statistics’ and select ‘Research and statistics’.

    Key Note Reports

    For free executive summaries of report titles listed under Education and Training visit www.keynote.co.uk. For details of obtaining full reports contact Key Note Tel: 020 8481 8750; Fax: 020 8783 0049.

  • ABBREVIATIONS & ACRONYMS

  • Bob Duckett, Peter Walker, Christinea Donnelly
  • Book:
    Know it All, Find it Fast
    Published by:
    Facet
    Published online:
    08 June 2018
    Print publication:
    25 October 2008, pp 13-61

  • Summary

    Typical questions

  • • What do the letters NACRO stand for?

  • • What does ibid. mean?

    • Considerations

    Abbreviations are shortened forms of a word or phrase, such as ‘tel’ for telephone, or ‘fax’ for facsimile. Ibid. is short for ibidem (Latin for ‘in the same place’). Acronyms are groups of letters made up of some or all of the first letters of a name such as BL for British Library, NACRO for the National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders, or CAMRA for the CAMpaign for Real Ale. Both abbreviations and acronyms are common in text and speech but they do cause difficulty for people unfamiliar with them. They are particularly common in technical or specialist writing where they are useful as a form of shorthand.

    Where to look

    Printed sources

    Most general dictionaries include the more common abbreviations and acronyms, either in the main alphabetical sequence or in appendices. Specialist subject dictionaries and handbooks often contain them, though obviously the subject area needs to be known first.

    Specialist dictionaries of abbreviations and acronyms include the following examples. They are usually shelved with general language dictionaries.

    Acronyms, initialisms & abbreviations dictionary (2008) 38th edn, Gale. 4 vols

    Fergusson, R. (2004) Alphabet soup: an A to Z of abbreviations, Bloomsbury

    Fioretta, B. M. (2003) Elsevier's dictionary of acronyms, initialisms, abbreviations and symbols, 2nd edn, Elsevier

    Oxford dictionary of abbreviations, (1998) 2nd edn, Oxford University Press

    Paxton, J. (2002) Everyman dictionary of abbreviations, Dent

    Subject dictionaries may be found with the subject itself. Some examples are:

    Buttress's world guide to abbreviations of organizations (1996) 11th edn, Springer

    Ramsay, A. (2001) Eurojargon: a dictionary of European Union acronyms, abbreviations and sobriquets, Fitzroy Dearborn

    Electronic sources

    Two good websites are:

    The Internet Acronym Server www.ucc.ie/info/net/acronyms/acro.html

    Acronym Finder www.acronymfinder.com (180,000 definitions)

    Tips and pitfalls

    Ask the enquirer for the context in which the abbreviation or acronym was heard or read. This will help narrow the search. Is it in current use? Was it in a newspaper or a book? If so, what was the subject? Is it a technical term? Or a literary one?

    Beware the many abbreviations and acronyms that have more than one meaning. JSC can stand for Joint Stock Company and Joint Staff Council; ‘p’ for ‘page’ or ‘pence’.

  • Introduction to the second edition

  • Bob Duckett, Peter Walker, Christinea Donnelly
  • Book:
    Know it All, Find it Fast
    Published by:
    Facet
    Published online:
    08 June 2018
    Print publication:
    25 October 2008, pp xiii-xiv

  • Summary

    We were gratified by the enthusiastic reception given to Know It All, Find It Fast by reviewers, users, and those who purchased copies. We were not surprised though: all of us who work on the front line of enquiry service know how difficult it is to help new staff. There is a need for a quick guide to places where questions can be answered. The Reference Reviews award for the Best General Reference Work of 2003 was, though, a very welcome surprise.

    What was intended to be a leisurely revision during this year was not to be. Stocks were running out and rather than go for another reprint we decided to go for a full revision. The basic structure and layouts remain although there has been some revision of headings and content. A ‘General Sources’ section has been introduced to pick up those almanacs, encyclopedias and websites that have a wide application, and our experiment of relying exclusively on ‘see also’ references has been abandoned in favour of providing an index as well – librarians seem to want an index!

  • RAILWAYS

  • Bob Duckett, Peter Walker, Christinea Donnelly
  • Book:
    Know it All, Find it Fast
    Published by:
    Facet
    Published online:
    08 June 2018
    Print publication:
    25 October 2008, pp 403-422

  • Summary

    Typical questions

  • • Have you got maps of where old railway lines used to go?

  • • Who owns all the various railway services?

  • • Can I go by train to Gainsborough?

  • • How many passengers use the trains every day?

    • Considerations

    There is a huge interest in railways, both from the historical perspective (cultural and local history) and the modern concern for improving public transport services and reducing carbon emissions. Not forgetting the train spotters and model makers!

    Where to look

    General

    Butcher, A. C. (ed.), Railways restored, Ian Allen. Annual Overall picture plus technical details.

    A comprehensive guide to Britain's railways, 9th edn, Emap. Annual

    Guide and directory to the routes, operating companies and infrastructure of today's rail network.

    Glover, J. (2005) ‘Modern Railways’ dictionary of railway industry terms, Ian Allan

    Holland, J. (2007) Amazing and extraordinary railway facts, David & Charles

    Jackson, A. A. (2006) The railway dictionary: worldwide railway facts and terminology, 4th edn, Sutton Publishing

    The modern railway: directory, review, opinion, reference, Ian Allen. Annual

    Standard reference source for the railway industry.

    Thomas, D. St. J. et al. (1960–) A regional history of the railways of Great Britain, David & Charles

    The standard 14-volume series covering the UK.

    Ottley, G. (1983) A bibliography of British railway history, 2nd edn, HMSO;

    Supplement (1988), HMSO

    Railway directory, DVV Media UK. Annual

    Worldwide coverage of companies, personnel, statistics, suppliers and maps. Available also as subscription website.

    Journals and magazines

    Modern Railways Ian Allen. Monthly

    Fairly technical.

    The Railway Magazine, IPC. Monthly

    Today's Railways, Platform 5 Publishing. Monthly

    Maps and atlases

    Baker, S. K. (2007) Rail atlas of Great Britain and Ireland, 11th edn, Midland Counties Publications.

    Every operating line, whether passenger, private, freight or narrow gauge.

    Ball, M. G. (1996) European railway atlas, Ian Allen, 3 vols

    Wignall, C. J. (1985) Complete British railways maps and gazetteer from 1825 to 1985, OPC Railprint

    Timetables

    Bradshaw's April 1910 railway guide (1968 reprint) David & Charles

    Bradshaw's railway timetables were published from 1840. This reprint shows the full extent of the UK rail network at its height.

    European rail timetable, Thomas Cook. Monthly

    Covers 40 countries including the UK, but does not give full details of purely local services.

  • CANALS & WATERWAYS

  • Bob Duckett, Peter Walker, Christinea Donnelly
  • Book:
    Know it All, Find it Fast
    Published by:
    Facet
    Published online:
    08 June 2018
    Print publication:
    25 October 2008, pp 94-154

  • Summary

    Typical questions

  • • Can anyone use a canal?

  • • Are towpaths public rights of way?

  • • Who owns rivers?

  • • What's a ‘navigation’?

    • Considerations

    After decades of decline and disuse, canals and inland waterways are seeing increasing leisure use (and some commercial use as well). Cruising in owned or hired narrowboats, and walking the large network of towpaths, are popular occupations. For the librarian this translates into enquiries about using the canals, their history, and perhaps even volunteering to help in restoration work. A ‘navigation’ is a river that has been made navigable, often by making a new ‘cut’ to avoid rapids, etc.

    Where to look

    History

    The standard history of the canals of the UK are the eight regional volumes by Charles Hadfield, published by David & Charles.

    An excellent historical encyclopedia is:

    Paget-Tomlinson, E. (2006) The illustrated history of canal and river navigation, 3rd edn, Landmark

    General

    Waterscape www.waterscape.com

    Gives information about waterside areas and the national waterway network.

    Edwards, L. A. (1985) Inland Waterways of Great Britain, 6th edn, Imray Laurie Norie & Wilson

    A detailed account of every canal and navigable river, giving history and detailed technical information.

    Towpath (monthly). Mortons Media Group www.towpathtalk.co.uk

    Newspaper for waterways users.

    Maps and guides

    Inland Waterways Map of Great Britain (2006) Nicholson/HarperCollins

    Full colour map.

    Nicholson guides to the waterways, Nicholson/Collins, 7 vols

    Nicholson's detailed regional guides to the canals and navigable waterways of the UK, with maps based on the Ordnance Survey showing locks and towpaths, and giving information on navigation, boatyards, services and local information, are the canal user's ‘Bible’.

    Pearson's canal companions, J. M. Pearson & Sons

    Less detailed than Nicholson, but adequate for the water user. The candid observations of places covered are a feature.

    Organizations

    British Waterways

    Customer Service Centre, Willow Grange, Church Road, Watford WD17 4QA

    Tel: 01923 201120; Fax: 01923 201102

    E-mail: enquiries.hq@britishwaterways.co.uk

    www.british-waterways.org

    British Waterways manage a network of two thousand miles of canals and navigable rivers. It has regional offices.

    Inland Waterways Association

    3 Norfolk Court, Norfolk Road, Rickmansworth WD3 1LT

    www.waterways.org.uk

    The campaigning group for the use, maintenance and restoration of Britain's inland waterways.

    Tips and pitfalls

    Like most hobbyists and enthusiasts, the user will often know far more about the subject than the librarian.

  • Unexplained, The

  • Bob Duckett, Peter Walker, Christinea Donnelly
  • Book:
    Know it All, Find it Fast
    Published by:
    Facet
    Published online:
    08 June 2018
    Print publication:
    25 October 2008, pp 454-461

  • Summary

    Typical questions

  • • Have you any books on interpreting dreams?

  • • Where are the most haunted places in the UK?

  • • Where can I find something on the Bermuda Triangle?

  • • How can I work out my horoscope?

    • Considerations

    The ‘unexplained’ covers a wide range of subjects from angels to zombies! Only a few of these subjects can be touched on here. Broadly speaking, the subjects fall outside the boundaries of orthodox science and one of the first considerations the librarian has is to find out whether the enquirer is a ‘sceptic’ or a ‘believer’, that is to say, is the enquirer investigating the subject, or are they serious about the subject? The sources used may vary accordingly. For better or for worse, there is a great popular interest in these subjects and there is a need to be well supplied with sources and information about them.

    Where to look

    General

    Bord, J. and Bord, C. (1996) Dictionary of earth mysteries, Thorsons

    Carall, R. T. (2003) The skeptic's dictionary: a collection of strange beliefs, amusing deceptions, and dangerous delusions, Wiley

    Available online, free, at http://skepdic.com.

    Guiley, R. E. (1992) Harper's encyclopedia of mystical and paranormal experience, HarperCollins

    Picknett, L. (1990) The encyclopedia of the paranormal: a complete guide to the unexplained, Macmillan

    Randles, J. (1996) The paranormal source book; the comprehensive guide to strange phenomena worldwide, Piatkus

    Rickard, B. and Michell, J. (2000) Unexplained phenomena: a Rough Guide special, Rough Guides

    Steiger, B. and Steiger, S. H. (2003) The Gale encyclopedia of the unusual and unexplained, Gale, 3 vols

    Williams. W. F. (ed.) (2000) Encyclopedia of pseudoscience, Fitzroy Dearborn 2000 A–Z entries relating to superstitions, alternative medicine, frauds, hoaxes, mistaken therories, etc.

    Wilson, C. (1987) The encyclopedia of unsolved mysteries, Harrap

    Astrology

    Parker, J. and D. (2001) Parker's astrology: the definitive guide to using astrology in every aspect of your life, 2nd edn, Dorling Kindersley

    Goodman, L. (1968) Linda Goodman sun signs, Pan The classic bestseller.

    Fenton, S. (1998) How to read your star signs, Thorsons

    Astrology.com www.astrology.com

    Astrology Gateway www.astrologygateway.homestead.com

    Dreams

    The alleged ‘meaning’ of dreams can be addressed in a number of books compiled specifically for the purpose. The enquiries relating to such popular beliefs like astrology need to be distinguished from orthodox scientific enquiries about the physiology and psychology of sleep and consciousness. In terms of the Dewey classification, between the 135s and the 150s.

  • OPTICIANS

  • Bob Duckett, Peter Walker, Christinea Donnelly
  • Book:
    Know it All, Find it Fast
    Published by:
    Facet
    Published online:
    08 June 2018
    Print publication:
    25 October 2008, pp 365-366

  • Summary

    Typical questions

  • • Can you give me the telephone number of … optician?

  • • How do I find out if … optician is registered?

    • Where to look

    Directories

    For an alphabetical list of opticians use the Opticians’ register, General Optical Council:

    www.optical.org

    Try also:

    Optical yearbook, Reed Business Information. Annual

    or

    Find an optician www.nhs.uk/England/Opticians

    Journals

    Optician

    Reed Business Information

    Tel: 020 8652 8250

    Weekly

    Websites

    Association of Contact Lens Manufacturers www.aclm.org.uk Excellent links to other eyecare sites.

    Eyecare Information Service www.eyecare-information-service.org.uk

    General Optical Council

    41 Harley Street, London W1G 8DJ

    Tel: 020 7580 3898

    www.optical.org

    The statutory body that regulates the optical professions.

    Complaints

    For complaints against an optician refer to the General Optical Council:

    www.optical.org.

  • SAINTS

  • Bob Duckett, Peter Walker, Christinea Donnelly
  • Book:
    Know it All, Find it Fast
    Published by:
    Facet
    Published online:
    08 June 2018
    Print publication:
    25 October 2008, pp 423-436

  • Summary

    Typical questions

  • • Who is the patron saint of librarians?

  • • I want to know more about St Ia.

    • Considerations

    General encyclopedias cover the more common saints but try and make sure you have a specific dictionary or encyclopedia, too.

    Where to look

    Printed sources

    Farmer, D. H. (2004) The Oxford dictionary of saints, Oxford University Press

    This dictionary contains concise accounts of the lives, cults and artistic associations of around 1250 saints from Great Britain and Europe. Make sure you have a copy!

    Watkins, B. (2002) The book of saints, 7th edn, ARC Books

    Biographical dictionary of 10,000 saints.

    Electronic sources

    Catholic Online: Saints and Angels www.catholic.org/saints

    An excellent resource. Most saints are covered. Lives, patronages and feast days are all shown.

    SIGNS & SYMBOLS

    See also Alphabets & Scripts

    Typical questions

  • • What's the sign for a low bridge?

  • • What does the symbol on this packaging mean?

  • • What does ‘?’ in chess notation stand for?

    • Considerations

    Signs and symbols are used almost everywhere, on labels giving washing instructions, on the machines that do the washing, on keyboards and on documents. And this is before looking at the symbolism used in art and in cultural history. Information about many symbols, in art or on road traffic signs, for example, will be covered in books on the subject or in general encyclopedias in the case of cultural symbols such as the cross or swastika. A number of specialist works do exist which display symbols whose meaning may be unknown. Obviously, arrangement is problematical!

    Where to look

    Printed sources

    Foley, J. (1993) The Guinness encyclopedia of signs and symbols, Guinness Publications

    Modern symbols such as trade marks.

    Liungman, G. (1995) Dictionary of symbols, W. W. Norton Strong on classical symbols.

    Shepherd, R. and Shepherd, R. (2002) 1000 symbols: what shapes mean in art and myths, Thames & Hudson

    For domestic symbols, such as washing temperatures and cleaning symbols, books on household work are useful, such as:

    Phillips, B. (1989) The Daily Mail book of household hints and tips, Dorling Kindersley

    Electronic sources

    Symbols www.symbols.com

    4500 Western signs in 54 groups from ‘ideograms carved in mammoth teeth by Cro Magnon man, to hobo signs and subway graffiti’. Interactive facility whereby you can describe the symbol you want.

  • Introduction to the first edition

  • Bob Duckett, Peter Walker, Christinea Donnelly
  • Book:
    Know it All, Find it Fast
    Published by:
    Facet
    Published online:
    08 June 2018
    Print publication:
    25 October 2008, pp xi-xii

  • Summary

    Answering questions from its users is one of the most important services undertaken by a library's staff. Yet it is also one of the most difficult, least understood, and most neglected of subjects. Despite years of working in reference libraries, information units and subject departments, the lack of help we frontline staff get to assist people with their enquiries is a constant source of amazement and irritation. And puzzlement. How do you train staff to answer questions? Manuals on question answering techniques – the social and psychological aspects – there are a-plenty. Lists of recommended reference books are also common. Courses on government publications, law reports, online searching and other specialist literatures and search techniques exist. These can help, of course they can, but all too frequently the questions fired at us out of the blue have not been covered on a course. And the majority of staff on enquiry desks do not have formal library qualifications and have not been on courses. And there is a queue, the phone is ringing unanswered, the photocopier has jammed, and your inquisitor is waiting impatiently for an answer. You are stressed and you can feel the panic rising. Few outsiders can understand the terror experienced by staff newly placed on public enquiry counters. Few of us who have been there will ever forget those early experiences.

    What is needed is a guide that staff can use to know where to find the answers, and quickly! Hence this book. We hope it will help.

    This book is intended as a first point of reference for library staff unfamiliar with the subject of the enquiry. It is aimed at general library staff and no prior knowledge is assumed. It is an A to Z because this is the quickest way to find a subject. Some typical questions are given to indicate the nature of the subject. Then follow a few background comments that will assist the member of staff to clarify the nature of the enquiry; before one can find an answer it is important to have asked the right follow-up question or questions to make sure the questioner and the questioned understand each other. Then come a few of the more commonly available sources that may help to answer the question. These include printed sources, electronic sources (mostly free websites), and some useful contacts for referral purposes.

  • Introduction to the third edition

  • Bob Duckett, Peter Walker, Christinea Donnelly
  • Book:
    Know it All, Find it Fast
    Published by:
    Facet
    Published online:
    08 June 2018
    Print publication:
    25 October 2008, pp xv-xvi

  • Summary

    The need for information, and the need for a guide for those whose job it is to find information, or to help others to find it, continues unabated. This, the third edition of ‘KIAFIF', is a thorough revision of the second edition of 2004. More than ever we find how rapidly the familiar landmark reference books have disappeared or become websites, sometimes free, sometimes only available on subscription, sometimes tricky to use. Websites appear and disappear with confusing rapidity; publishers and information producers change their names; sponsors and advertisers intrude; and the increasing dependence on computers and communications technology add further pressure on frontline staff.

    Our focus remains on these frontline staff working with the general public on library enquiry desks. As a consequence we have generally ignored the more specialist, academic and expensive resources, though some of the classic reference works to be found in our larger libraries, which are often cited, are included: Joseph Wright's English dialect dictionary (1898–1905) and the Victoria county histories are two such examples.

    In earlier editions we generally excluded subscription websites and CD-ROMs on the ground that most staff and members of the public would not have access to them, but now that most libraries subscribe to services such as Britannica, Infotrac, Credo, Ancestry and EBSCO, indeed often enabling library members to use them on their home computers, such exclusion no longer seems necessary. We have also continued to loosen the earlier tripartite division of resources into ‘Printed', ‘Electronic’ and ‘Organizations'. Such a division seems increasingly artificial and unsustainable. Some new headings have been introduced (e.g. Death, Funerals & Bereavement; Police & Security), some ditched (e.g. Textiles) and many modified (e.g. Books & Bibliographies; Tourism & Travel).

    We would like to acknowledge the valuable information to be found in Reference Reviews (Emerald) and Refer: Journal of the ISG (Information Services Group of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals). We also acknowledge the useful titles found on the shelves in many library reading rooms and bookshops, and suggestions from colleagues and members of the public.

    Finally, we re-iterate the point that the titles, websites and organizations listed are just some of many; those we know about and have found useful. Maybe you know of others.

  • HEALTH & HEALTHCARE

  • Bob Duckett, Peter Walker, Christinea Donnelly
  • Book:
    Know it All, Find it Fast
    Published by:
    Facet
    Published online:
    08 June 2018
    Print publication:
    25 October 2008, pp 250-271

  • Summary

    Typical questions

  • • Can you give me the address of … hospital?

  • • Do you know an organization for …?

  • • What are the symptoms of …?

    • Considerations

    Healthcare queries can be those about particular medical conditions, health issues or finding contact details of a hospital or healthcare institute or organization. As well as using the specialized sources, it is useful to use the Directory of British associations, CBD Research, for enquiries relating to organizations involved in health or medical conditions and issues. For enquiries relating to prescriptive drugs and medicines see MEDICINES & DRUGS.

    Where to look

    Dictionaries

    There are some excellent medical dictionaries and encyclopedias available, which will probably answer in sufficient detail the lay person's medical queries, particularly Black's medical dictionary, edited by Dr Harvey Marcovitch, 41st edition, 2006, Scarecrow Press. This gives 5000 definitions and descriptions of medical terms with cross-referencing to further information.

    Stedman's abbreviations, acronyms and symbols (2003) 3rd edn, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

    75,000 abbreviations in the field of health and medicine.

    Try also:

    Lock, S., Last, J. and Dunea, G. (2001) Oxford illustrated companion to medicine, Oxford University Press

    This covers all the major medical and nursing subjects as well as the history of medicine and complementary therapies.

    There are also a number of excellent family health encyclopedias available:

    British Medical Association complete family health guide (2005) Dorling Kindersley

    A medical encyclopaedia which features information on screening, drug treatments and surgery with symptom charts to aid in the interpretation of symptoms. There is also an explanation of medical genetics and what they mean for your health and 2000 medical websites on every disorder.

    British Medical Association A–Z family medical encyclopedia (2004) Dorling Kindersley

    Apple, M. (1999) Hamlyn encyclopedia of family health, Hamlyn

    This offers diagnosis and treatments for more than 200 ailments using orthodox and complementary medicines.

    Komoroff. A. L, Harvard family health guide, Cassell

    Carroll, S. (2003) The Which? guide to men's health, Which?

    Robinson, A. (2003) The Which? guide to women's health, Which?

    Directories

    For contact details for hospitals and trusts there are a number of directories but remember also to use telephone directories for listings under hospitals.

    The Institute of Healthcare Management yearbook, Beechwood House Publishing Ltd. Annual

    This provides a comprehensive reference to both the NHS and independent healthcare. It includes details of departments, agencies and management contacts.

Know it All, Find it Fast
  • An A-Z Source Guide for the Enquiry Desk
  • Bob Duckett, Peter Walker, Christinea Donnelly
  • Published by:
    Facet
    Published online:
    08 June 2018
    Print publication:
    25 October 2008
  • There is a queue, the phone is ringing, the photocopier has jammed and your enquirer is waiting for a response. You are stressed and you can feel the panic rising. Where do you go to find the information you need to answer the question promptly and accurately? Answering queries from users is one of the most important services undertaken by library and information staff. Yet it is also one of the most difficult, least understood subjects. There are still very few materials available to help frontline staff - often paraprofessional - develop their reader enquiry skills. This award-winning sourcebook is an essential guide to where to look to find the answers quickly. It is designed as a first point of reference for library and information practitioners, to be depended upon if they are unfamiliar with the subject of an enquiry - or wish to find out more. It is arranged in an easily searchable, fully cross-referenced A-Z list of around 150 of the subject areas most frequently handled at enquiry desks. Each subject entry lists the most important information sources and where to locate them, including printed and electronic sources, relevant websites and useful contacts for referral purposes. The authors use their extensive experience in reference work to offer useful tips, warn of potential pitfalls, and spotlight typical queries and how to tackle them. This new edition has been brought right up-to-date with all sources checked for currency and many new ones added. The searchability is enhanced by a comprehensive index to make those essential sources even easier to find - saving you valuable minutes! Offering quick and easy pointers to a multitude of information sources, this is an invaluable reference deskbook for all library and information staff in need of a speedy answer, in reference libraries, subject departments and other information units.

  • JOBS

  • Bob Duckett, Peter Walker, Christinea Donnelly
  • Book:
    Know it All, Find it Fast
    Published by:
    Facet
    Published online:
    08 June 2018
    Print publication:
    25 October 2008, pp 287-293

  • Summary

    Typical questions

  • • I need a list of recruitment agencies?

  • • Can you tell me where to look for … jobs?

    • Considerations

    There are numerous places where jobs are advertised. For instance, there are a number of specialized newspapers on the market that are devoted to advertising jobs in specific regions; see Willings press guide for title details. In addition, many of the trade and professional journals have a job section as do the national and local newspapers. Finally, there is the internet. There are hundreds of job sites, some better than others: it is probably useful to look at and bookmark a few which you feel would be beneficial to your library users. You may be asked about employment agencies, which can usually be found listed in the Yellow Pages. For research into job titles and social grades a useful book is Occupation grouping: a job dictionary (2006) 6th edn, Market Research Society.

    Where to look

    General

    Executive grapevine: the UK directory of executive recruitment (2008) International edition, Executive Grapevine

    Executive grapevine: UK directory of talent management (2007) Executive Grapevine

    Britain's top employers (2008) Corporate Research Foundation

    www.britainstopemployers.com

    Major employers of Europe 2004 – the job finder's directory, 4th edn, Graham & Whiteside

    Available at www.biz-lib.com/info/80487.pdf.

    Apprenticeships

    ApprenticeMaster Alliance 6 Blackstock Mews, London N4 2BT

    Tel: 020 7359 8391

    www.apprentice.org.uk

    Links school leavers and graduates with experts for long-term apprenticeships.

    Apprenticeships (Learning and Skills Council)

    www.apprenticeships.org.uk

    Volunteeering

    Pybus, V. (2006) Directory of international voluntary work, 10th edn, Crimson Publishing

    Virgin guide to volunteering, Virgin Books

    Ausenda. F. (2007) Green volunteers: the world guide to voluntary work in nature conservation, Crimson Publishing

    Ausenda. F. and McCloskey. E. (eds) (2008) World volunteers: the world guide to humanitarian and development volunteering, Crimson Publishing

    Ford, L. (2007) The ‘Guardian’ guide to volunteering, Guardian Newspaper Ltd

    Working abroad

    For an excellent guide to considerations and further information consult:

    Griffith, S. (2007) Work your way around the world, 13th edn, Crimson Publishing Try also:

    Boothby, D. (2002) Directory of jobs and careers abroad, 11th edn, Vacation Work

    Griffith, S. (2008) Summer jobs worldwide, Crimson Publishing

    Hobbs, G. (2006) Directory of jobs and careers abroad, Crimson Publishing

    Overseas Job Centre www.overseasjobcentre.co.uk Excellent for contacts for work, articles, links and publications.Newspapers

    Listed below are the days on which newspapers publish job advertisements.

  • TAX

  • Bob Duckett, Peter Walker, Christinea Donnelly
  • Book:
    Know it All, Find it Fast
    Published by:
    Facet
    Published online:
    08 June 2018
    Print publication:
    25 October 2008, pp 437-453

  • Summary

    Typical questions

  • • Where can I find the contact for my local tax office?

  • • What is inheritance tax?

  • • I need some help with my council tax, who do I talk to?

    • Considerations

    Tax information is for the tax specialist. There are a number of general publications which can clarify basic enquiries. If these are not sufficient for the query you are dealing with refer the enquirer to a local tax consultant or one of the contacts below. Some of the most commonly asked questions are about forms of tax, such as income tax, VAT, corporation tax, inheritance tax, capital gains tax and council tax. There is an excellent section on government revenue in UK Yearbook, The Stationery Office. It explains the collection of taxes and taxation policy and defines the main forms of taxes, dividing them into taxes on income, taxes on capital, and taxes on expenditure. It also mentions local government revenue.

    Where to look

    Directories

    Any of the following are good for tax rates and facts. It is essential that you are using the current edition:

    Homer, A. and Burrows, R., Tolley's tax guide 2007–8, Butterworth

    Vass, J., Daily mail tax guide 2007/2008, Profile Books Ltd

    Levene, T., The tax handbook 2008/9: a complete guide to the UK tax system, Which?

    For more analysis and developments try:

    International Tax Review

    Euromoney Institutional Investor

    Tel: 020 7779 8999

    www.internationaltaxreview.com

    Ten issues per year

    BDO Stoy Hayward's orange tax guide, Lexis Nexis

    This contains up-to-date legislation relating to National Insurance contributions, stamp duty and VAT.

    BDO Stoy Hayward's guide yellow tax guide, Lexis Nexis

    This contains up-to-date legislation relating to income tax, statutes, corporation tax and capital gains tax.

    Walton. K. and Dolton, A. (2007) Tolley's tax cases, Lexis Nexis Butterworths

    Council tax

    Queries regarding council tax are best dealt with by the council tax department of your local authority. You will find the telephone number in your local telephone book or use www.yell.com or www.upmystreet.com to locate. There is a significant amount of information on the internet which may answer some enquiries. Go to the Local Government Finance Index www.local.communities.gov.uk/finance/ stats/ctax.htm.

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