Page 10 - DLIS405_INFORMATION_STORAGE_AND_RETRIEVAL

Unit 1: Introduction to Library Science

Whether or not individual professional librarians contribute to scholarly research and publication, Notes
many are involved with and contribute to the advancement of the profession and of library science
and information science through local, state, regional, national and international library or
information organizations.

1.3 Development of Library Science Literature

Development of library and information science literature is mapped on the literary outputs available
through Library, Information Science and Technology Abstracts (LISTA). The findings vividly
indicate that the growth of literature in library and information science is on increase. Professionals
and researchers all over the world have embraced the scholarly publication revolution from various
disciplines, to which library and information science is no exception.
The study provides a detailed description of library and information science literature published in
various formats. In country-wise output, U.S.A. ranks first with 301 (37.76%) publications. It also
gives a thorough insight of the growth and development of library literature in a chronological
order. It is surprising to know that the decade of 1980s ranks first with 155 (19.44%) publications.
Furthermore, to specify the growth and development of library and information science literature,
coverage policy and source type are also traced out. Core publications rank first with a literary
output of 485. Among the literary wealth, academic journals hold the first place harvesting 409
publications and forming 51.31% of the total publications.
A number of studies have been conducted on the growth of library and information science literature.
A study conducted by Bottle and Efthimiadis (1984) investigated the sampling issues of LISA (Library
and Information Science Abstract), ISA (Information Science Abstract), RZI (Referativnyi Zhurnal
Informatics Abstract), BS (Bulletin Signaletique) and CCA (Computer & Control Abstracts) for the
year 1983. Journals (71%) are the dominant format. The study clearly indicates that literature coverage
in the field of library and information science has increased dramatically. 1391 distinct journal titles
were identified in the coverage of LISA, ISA, RZI and BS.
Most of the literature originated from North America (38%) and Western Europe (34%). 1545 journals
were identified from Ulrich’s Guides. Ali (1985) provides an overall picture of growth of librarianship
and information science literature (academic research and practitioner’s literature) and various outlets
available for reporting research findings, with special emphasis on United States and Great Britain.
During the last ninety-two years, many journals have been published in Asia, but many have ceased
publication for various reasons. At present, over two hundred journals in library and information
science are published in Asian countries.
All these studies make it clear that the growth is multidimensional. The present study is to gauge
once again the growth of LIS literature in the revolutionary era of ICT (Information Communication
Technology) when the publication channels have been tremendously increased and the sharing of
ideas and findings have become much more easier and affordable.

Objectives

The study was initiated with the following objectives:
• To trace the intensification of literature chronologically. The study attempts to delve deep to
discover the growth of library literature published worldwide as per LISTA indexing and ab-
stracting service in different communication channels.
• To map the geographic distribution of the literature. The study makes an effort to identify the
various world regions from where library and information science literature is being published.
• To outline the coverage policy and source type of the published literature. Since the library and
information science literature is being published in different formats, the present study will
identify them and also show the amount of literature being published through all these sources.

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