The Design of Bibliographies

The range of topics of bibliographies is unlimited and, since bibliographies are produced for the benefit and use of the reader, the compiler must present whatever data are relevant and organize it in a logical and useful fashion. Also, the work should be presented in a physical format which yields the greatest, most comfortable, and most aesthetic access to the data. The aim of the author and printer of a bibliography, Sidney Berger writes, should be the production of a useful and usable book. While the author must be concerned with the intellectual content and its organization, the book designer must concentrate on the physical elements of which bibliographies are composed--the type style and size, the size of the book, the arrangement of type and blank space on the page, ink color, and the weight, color, and gloss of the paper, etc.



The optimum design of a bibliography is essentially the optimum use of typographic elements. This book discusses the basics of book typography and then goes on to describe types and formats of bibliographies. Berger presents brief discussions of the elements of design that bibliography compilers and designers must consider--drawing from many relevant sources to create a generalized conception of the ideal bibliography. This book is a gathering of sound ideas about book design into a convenient volume, with a focus on the particular problems that bibliographies present. It includes appendixes with numerous examples and illustrations. This volume is of great use to book designers, compilers of bibliographies, and publishers who wish to improve or maximize their bibliographical formats.