The annual list of the most Outstanding Business Reference Sources was announced by the Reference and User Services Association (RUSA) Book and Media Awards Ceremony at the American Library Association’s Midwinter Meeting.
Each year, the Business Reference Sources Committee of the Business Reference And Services Section (BRASS) of RUSA selects the outstanding business reference sources published since May of the previous year. This year, the committee reviewed 27 entries; of these, four were designated as “Outstanding,” six were selected as “Notable,” and one was designated as an “Overlooked Treasure,” which signifies that the work has been out for two or more editions, but previously not reviewed by the Committee.
To qualify for the award, the title must meet the conventional definition of reference: a work compiled specifically to supply information on a certain subject or group of subjects in a form that will facilitate its ease of use. With print reference materials being used less heavily in most cases, these works stood out based on their content, quality, and utility. The works are examined for the following: authority and reputation of the publisher, author, or editor; accuracy; appropriate bibliography; organization; comprehensiveness; value of the content; currency; unique addition; ease of use for the intended purpose; quality and accuracy of index; and quality and usefulness of graphics and illustrations. Each year, more electronic reference titles are published. Additional criteria for electronic reference titles are accuracy of links, search features, stability of content and graphic design. Works selected must be suitable for medium to large-size academic and public libraries.
The list includes:
Outstanding
“Business Scandals, Corruption, and Reform: An Encyclopedia” by Gary Giroux. (Greenwood 2013)
“Encyclopedia of Major Marketing Strategies” Volume 3, edited by Matthew Miskelly. (Gale, 2013)
“Gale Business Insights Handbook of Social Media Marketing” Edited by Miranda Herbert Ferrara. (Gale, 2013)
“Women and Management: Global Issues and Promising Solutions” Edited by Michele A. Paludi. (Praeger, 2013)
Notable
“Dictionary of Advertising and Marketing Concepts” by Arthur Asa Berger. (Left Coast Press, 2013)
“Encyclopedia of Emerging Markets” edited by Donna Craft. (Gale, 2013)
“Gale Business Insights Handbook of Global Marketing” (Gale, 2013)
“Handbook on the Geopolitics of Business” edited by Joseph Mark S. Munoz. (Edward Elgar, 2013)
“Sociology of Work: An Encyclopedia” edited by Vicki Smith. (Sage, 2013)
“The Oxford Handbook of Business and the Natural Environment” edited by Pratima Bansal and Andrew J. Hoffman. (Oxford University Press, 2012)
Overlooked Treasure
“Research Starters—Business” (EBSCO Publishing, 2008)
The Outstanding Business Reference Sources list is produced by the BRASS Reference Resources Committee. Contributing members include Ed Hahn, selections editor; Susan Hurst, chair; Jordan Nielsen nominations coordinator; Naomi Lederer; Glenn McGuigan; Anthony Raymond; Penny Scott; and Susan Sweeney.