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Unit 8: Encyclopaedia

(II) Popular Multi-volume Encyclopaedia for Adults: These encyclopaedias are for high school Notes
and college students. They are written in simple language and popular style. They can be
of great interest to the layman.

Example: Collier’s Encyclopaedia with Bibliography and Index/ by William D, Halsay.
New York: Macmillan, 1982. 24 volumes.

It was first published in 1949 in 20 volumes. It was continuously revised. It consists of
25,000 signed articles written by about 5000 contributors and editors. Biographies are
exhaustive. The Index entries are clearly displayed. It contains illustrations and maps.
(III) Multi-volume Encyclopaedias for Junior and Children: There are many junior and children
encyclopaedias as they are mostly referred by school going children although these are
also interesting and informative of adults.

Example: Oxford junior Encyclopaedia. Rev. ed. London: OUP, 1961. 12 volumes.
It was first published in 1961. It is designed for the inquiring minds of children over ten
years. Each volume is of one particular subject arranged in alphabetical order. There are
not bibliographies. Articles are in simple language.

Children’s Britannica. London: Encyclopaedia Britannica, 1981. 19 volumes.
It was first published in 1960. The American edition is known as ‘Britannica Junior’. It has
been continuously revised and has lucid language, clear print, and illustrations. It is
owned by many families as it is moderately priced.

The World Book Yearbook reviewing events of previous year is also published every
year.

(IV) One and Two Volume Adult and Junior Encyclopaedia: Since last half a century, publishers
are concentrating on producing one and two volume encyclopaedias due to rising costs of
production and advertising. They are arranged in alphabetical order and do not need to
have an index. They contain brief information and universal facts. They are more reliable,
economical, and handy to use. Example includes:
The New Columbia Encyclopaedia/ed. W.H. Harris and J.S. Levy. 4th ed. New York:
Columbia University Press, 1975.
It was first published in 1935 as ‘The Columbia Encyclopaedia’. It is a compact volume and
planned for quick reference. It contains over 59,000 concise articles designed for use by
families and small libraries. It includes short biographical sketches and geographical
information. Each article has a short bibliography of two to three articles. It also contains
maps and line drawings.
The Random House Encyclopaedia. New rev. ed. New York: Random House, [1983].

It is comparatively a recent addition to encyclopaedias. It is in two parts - Colorpedia and
Alphapedia.

The Colorpedia consists of short articles grouped in seven sections. It includes many
illustrations in four coloured photo plates and drawings. Every section progresses from
broader to narrower subject, e.g., ‘Universe’ to ‘Man and Machines’.

LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY 167