Texas Reference Sources (TRS) is a supplement to the American Library Association's Guide to Reference Books (GRB) 11th edition (ed. by Balay) and, therefore, follows the arrangement of the latest edition of that publication. A new edition of GRB is scheduled for completion in 2004. An attempt has been made to coordinate arrangement and content with the forthcoming GRB, but some discrepancies may still exist.

Reference items are most generally defined as resources designed to be consulted for specific pieces of information rather than being read cover to cover. Traditional types of items normally classified as reference materials include encyclopedias, handbooks, manuals, almanacs, yearbooks, dictionaries, directories, statistical compilations, bibliographies, guides to the literature, chronologies, and indexes. Textbooks, general monographs, dissertations, theses, and periodicals may occasionally have reference value and are included if appropriate. Formats of reference resources can include print, microforms (microfilm, microfiche, microcard, microprint), card files, databases (CDROM and online), audiovisuals, and Internet web pages. In a departure from prior editions and because of the proliferation of important reference resources available in electronic formats, this edition of Texas Reference Sources includes electronic items in addition to print items. The same criteria for evaluating the usefulness of print resources have been applied to electronic resources.

The primary criterion for inclusion is usefulness for reference service. Other criteria for inclusion are accuracy, accessibility, authority, completeness, reliability, and usability. TRS is intended primarily to assist librarians providing reference service with a focus on Texas in various subject areas. It also doubles as a collection development and selection aid for libraries and as a guide for researchers and students needing to identify potential sources of information about Texas. To assist librarians wishing to acquire copies of resources listed, information about availability and pricing of publications is included, if known. Note, however, that such information is subject to change and should be used only as a general guide to the relative expensiveness of a resource. Works out of print but still useful are included in this edition. Such resources can sometimes be acquired through the used and rare book markets. Some online electronic resources may require subscriptions or purchase for access and such access restrictions are specified in their entries.

National and regional resources (especially those already included in Guide to Reference Books) generally are excluded from TRS unless there is a compelling reason for inclusion. If a national or regional resource is the best or only resource for Texas information on the topic, it is included. Descriptions of such items explain the importance, applicability and use of the resource for Texas information. If a resource from GRB is included, the 11th edition GRB number for the item is given in the entry in addition to its TRS number (e.g., GRB DB137). It was not possible to use numbers coinciding with the new edition of GRB still in progress.

Strictly local publications (e.g., Statistical Abstract of Austin) generally are excluded from TRS. The editors and reviewers consider local items for inclusion if they might be useful in a wider context.

While appearing comprehensive, TRS is, nevertheless, a selective list. Not all available resources are listed: only those which, in the opinion of the editors and reviewers, are most recommended for reference use. More than one source for the same type of information may be included if multiple sources are available. Annotations clarify differences among similar publications, particularly in relation to arrangement, coverage and intended audience. Sources known to be inaccurate, incomplete or outdated are not listed unless the annotation points out the specific types of errors or the limitations of the work and identifies why it may still be a useful reference source.

For items with multiple editions, the latest edition (as of the time of this compilation) is identified, if possible, with the date, number of pages, and price as appropriate. Serial publications issued regularly – semi-annually, annually, or biennially – are so identified in the description, and the publishing information is based on the most recent issue at the time of this compilation.

Entries are included in standardized formats. In a departure from prior editions and from GRB, the bolded title of a publication has been established as the first field in each entry after the TRS number. The title is followed by an author statement identifying the name(s) of the authors, translators, or editors (if any) of the publication. An edition statement (if any) appears after the author statement. This is then followed by publishing information (place, publisher, date). Pagination or volume information and illustration notes are followed by a series statement identifying series title and item number in the series when applicable. The cost, if known, followed by the ISBN or ISSN number concludes the physical description. Most entries include an annotation describing the applicability of the work to reference use for Texas information. Annotations focus on the most pertinent information about a work to give users some guidance about its coverage, arrangement, special features, history, and application as a reference source. The information is presented as succinctly as possible, taking into consideration the need to keep entries as short as possible to conserve space in the overall TRS publication.

Items available in multiple formats include information about alternate formats after the bibliographic description of the print version, which takes precedence. Online Internet resources include a URL current at the time of publication of TRS. Formats of full-text (PDF or HTML) are added when applicable. The uncertain nature of URLs over time cannot be avoided, so expect some URLs to change at a later date. The availability and coverage of electronic formats such as CDROMs and subscription databases may also change over time. Microforms will be identified by type (microfilm, microfiche, microcard, microprint) using the relevant abbreviation (Mfilm, Mfiche, Mcard, Mprint).

Many publications of Texas state agencies are available through the Texas State Publications Depository Program. A number of libraries throughout the state participate in this program and, therefore, provide access to these items in local libraries or through Interlibrary Loan services. To identify and facilitate the use of these items, a Texas State Documents Classification Scheme (TexDoc) number is included in entries, when applicable.

Some unevenness among the various sections of TRS is to be expected and the General Editor takes full responsibility for the relative inclusiveness of TRS. Items have been chosen through consultation among Section Editors, Section Reviewers, and the General Editor with a view to making the overall work as useful as possible within the confines of manageable space considerations for publication. Exclusion of particular items does not detract from their usefulness as reference sources under certain circumstances.

It is expected that TRS will be updated regularly and we welcome your contributions. If you have suggestions for additions or corrections or if you have comments to share about the usefulness of this compilation, please direct your comments to the General Editor or to the current chair of the TLA Reference Round Table Planning Committee.

John C. Hepner
General Editor

Copyright ©2007, Reference Round Table, TLA
Send comments and suggestions to: Beth Thomsett-Scott, bscott@library.unt.edu
Last Modified: March 2007