Page 175 - DLIS006_INFORMATION SOURCES AND SERVICES

Information Sources and Services

Notes 8.4 Format

Some people can confuse an encyclopaedia with a dictionary, although they are inherently quite
different. A dictionary offers definitions of words, occasionally accompanied by illustrations, to
provide the reader with the meaning of individual’s terms or phrases. On the other hand, an
encyclopaedia explores topics in greater depth and more often includes illustrations, maps, and
photographs. While most encyclopaedias are organized alphabetically, some are arranged by
categories or cross-referenced articles to allow for easier reading.
Readers can find a wide range of subjects within these volumes, making them excellent research
texts. Historical events, such as the dates and major battles of various wars; scientific information,
like pertinent data regarding different theories; and popular culture, such as names and short
biographies of various celebrities, can all be found in these volumes. As time goes on, publishers
make revisions and release new volumes with more information, to keep them relevant.

8.4.1 Historical Encyclopaedias

Pliny the Elder wrote the first documented encyclopaedia in the first century BC with the help of
his nephew. This work consisted of 37 volumes and covered subjects ranging from anthropology
and human physiology to agriculture, painting, and pharmacology. Through the following few
centuries, encyclopaedias adopted a religious overtone. The first Christian edition was published
in 560 AD, and the first Muslim volume came to light soon after.
One of the longest encyclopaedias ever was created in 1403 when the Yongle Encyclopaedia was
published in China. It consisted of 11,000 handwritten volumes; most of the original work has
been lost through the centuries, and less than 400 volumes survive today. The word
“encyclopaedia” comes from the Greek enkyklia paideia, which means “a general knowledge.”
It has been in use for at least 500 years, since the publishing of Encyclopaedia, or Knowledge of
the World of Disciplines in 1559.

8.4.2 Modern Formats

In the 20th century, the Encyclopaedia Britannica became the most well-known western work of
this type. Topical encyclopaedias also came into popularity, covering topics as varied as
economics, bioethics, or Judaica. Toward the end of the century, many publishers began releasing
them in digital formats such as Compact Discs (CDs) and Digital Versatile Discs (DVDs).

Some encyclopaedias have become entirely available online, with no corresponding print version.
One of the most important advantages of online encyclopaedias is that they can be edited
frequently, so they remain up to date. Traditionally, a single writer wrote an encyclopaedia
alone or as a collaborative effort with peers, but a team of writers, who often have no face to face
contact with each other, can now put together numerous volumes at a distance.

Self Assessment

State whether the following statements are true or false:
11. A dictionary offers definitions of words, occasionally accompanied by illustrations, to
provide the reader with the meaning of individual’s terms or phrases.
12. An encyclopaedia presents topics in brief and more often excludes illustrations, maps, and
photographs.
13. Most encyclopaedias are not alphabetically organized.
14. In the 20th century, the Encyclopaedia Britannica became the most well-known western
work.

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