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U.S. government directories, 1970–1981: A selected, annotated bibliography
125
Reviews
an in-house librarian. A perfect place to communicate this wisdom is in a textbook such as this one. Another serious flaw in this work is that, despite its publication date of 1983, it cites no sources dated later than 1979. This oversight, for which no explanation is offered, diminishes the authority of an otherwise reasonably solid textbook. Simple without being simple-minded, Public Agency Communication has a place in libraries supporting academic programs in public administration from the community college level and up. Libraries in public agencies should consider it for purchase, as should larger public libraries.
U.S. Government
Directories,
1970-1981:
A Selected,
Annotated
Bibliography
Compiled by Constance Staten Gray Littleton, Colorado: Libraries Unlimited, Inc., 1984, 272 pages, $35.00. ISBN 0-87287-414-I. LC 83-2680 1. Reviewed
by Michael Vocino
Michael Vocino is Government Publications Librarian at the University of Rhode Island Library, Kingston, Rhode Island 0288 l-0803. There are a phenomenal number of informational resources available from the federal government. Any bibliographic tool designed to help in accessing government information/publications is a welcome addition to the literature. Constance Staten Gray’s book is just such an effort. It is impossible to write about this compilation, however, without mentioning two previously published works on the same subject: Directories of Government Agencies, by Sally Wynkoop and David Parish (Libraries Unlimited, 1969); and Guide to U.S. Government Directories, 1970-1980, by Donna Rae Larson (Oryx Press, 1981). Gray’s effort is the successor to these previously published directories, and her annotated bibliography expands and builds upon the earlier two. What does this item include? “Directories” is defined very loosely as “. . . alphabetical or classified lists of organizations, individuals, businesses, places, laws, programs and so forth which usually state purpose and give addresses, contact persons and telephone numbers” (Preface). This volume strongly emphasizes subject access. Arrangement is by categories: area and places; associations and organizations; businesses, corporations, and industries; data sources; establishments and institutions; government agencies (general); government agencies (subject); individuals; information sources and systems; laws and regulations; and programs, activities, facilities and services” (Preface). These categories are the chapter headings and within each chapter the directories are arranged alphanumerically by SuDocs classification code. There are four appendices (“Regional Federal Depository Libraries;” “GPO Sales Publications Reference File; ” “U.S. Government Bookstores;” “U.S. Gov-
120
C;OVCRNMENT
INFORMATIOK
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Vol. ANo.
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ernment Departments and Agencies”). which include information readily found elsewhere. However, the availability of this information in one volume might prove useful for some libraries. Ms. Gray has also included subject and title indexes. Both are comprehensively well done. Access is enhanced with a good system of cross references. It might be important to note that the Gray book is much more comfortable to use than Donna Rae Larson’s previous effort. Physically, the former work is of a more traditional size. The latter is somewhat oversize and less comfortable inhand. The choice of type for the Larson book was unfortunate. especially that used for indexing. It has not been clearly established whether the additional year of coverage provided by Gray w>u-rants the publication of this compilation. What is clear, however, is that the subject access stressed by Gray does justify bet publication even in view of the ten-year overlap with Larson. Gray supplements and surpasses Wynkoop and Parish based on currency alone if nothing else. In terms of substance and style, however, Gray has the slight edge. A well wrought reference tool, this compilation would be a well chosen purchase for all depository library documents collections. It is also recommended for virtually all general collections except the most specialized or underdeveloped. It will only serve to enhance the coverage provided by government-published bibliographic tools.
Reviews
an in-house librarian. A perfect place to communicate this wisdom is in a textbook such as this one. Another serious flaw in this work is that, despite its publication date of 1983, it cites no sources dated later than 1979. This oversight, for which no explanation is offered, diminishes the authority of an otherwise reasonably solid textbook. Simple without being simple-minded, Public Agency Communication has a place in libraries supporting academic programs in public administration from the community college level and up. Libraries in public agencies should consider it for purchase, as should larger public libraries.
U.S. Government
Directories,
1970-1981:
A Selected,
Annotated
Bibliography
Compiled by Constance Staten Gray Littleton, Colorado: Libraries Unlimited, Inc., 1984, 272 pages, $35.00. ISBN 0-87287-414-I. LC 83-2680 1. Reviewed
by Michael Vocino
Michael Vocino is Government Publications Librarian at the University of Rhode Island Library, Kingston, Rhode Island 0288 l-0803. There are a phenomenal number of informational resources available from the federal government. Any bibliographic tool designed to help in accessing government information/publications is a welcome addition to the literature. Constance Staten Gray’s book is just such an effort. It is impossible to write about this compilation, however, without mentioning two previously published works on the same subject: Directories of Government Agencies, by Sally Wynkoop and David Parish (Libraries Unlimited, 1969); and Guide to U.S. Government Directories, 1970-1980, by Donna Rae Larson (Oryx Press, 1981). Gray’s effort is the successor to these previously published directories, and her annotated bibliography expands and builds upon the earlier two. What does this item include? “Directories” is defined very loosely as “. . . alphabetical or classified lists of organizations, individuals, businesses, places, laws, programs and so forth which usually state purpose and give addresses, contact persons and telephone numbers” (Preface). This volume strongly emphasizes subject access. Arrangement is by categories: area and places; associations and organizations; businesses, corporations, and industries; data sources; establishments and institutions; government agencies (general); government agencies (subject); individuals; information sources and systems; laws and regulations; and programs, activities, facilities and services” (Preface). These categories are the chapter headings and within each chapter the directories are arranged alphanumerically by SuDocs classification code. There are four appendices (“Regional Federal Depository Libraries;” “GPO Sales Publications Reference File; ” “U.S. Government Bookstores;” “U.S. Gov-
120
C;OVCRNMENT
INFORMATIOK
QUARTtRLY
Vol. ANo.
l/l’185
ernment Departments and Agencies”). which include information readily found elsewhere. However, the availability of this information in one volume might prove useful for some libraries. Ms. Gray has also included subject and title indexes. Both are comprehensively well done. Access is enhanced with a good system of cross references. It might be important to note that the Gray book is much more comfortable to use than Donna Rae Larson’s previous effort. Physically, the former work is of a more traditional size. The latter is somewhat oversize and less comfortable inhand. The choice of type for the Larson book was unfortunate. especially that used for indexing. It has not been clearly established whether the additional year of coverage provided by Gray w>u-rants the publication of this compilation. What is clear, however, is that the subject access stressed by Gray does justify bet publication even in view of the ten-year overlap with Larson. Gray supplements and surpasses Wynkoop and Parish based on currency alone if nothing else. In terms of substance and style, however, Gray has the slight edge. A well wrought reference tool, this compilation would be a well chosen purchase for all depository library documents collections. It is also recommended for virtually all general collections except the most specialized or underdeveloped. It will only serve to enhance the coverage provided by government-published bibliographic tools.