RRT's Bibliographic Committee chose Sheehey's Guide to Reference Sources as the format to follow because of its wide use as a standard reference tool. The same headings and section titles found in the Guide to Reference Sources were used in Texas Reference Sources with the prefix "T" to indicate Texas.

RRT's Bibliographic Committee asked the TLA membership to recommend reference titles with Texas as the main emphasis. Lois Bebout, the committee's chair, divided the suggested titles among approximately 20 librarians with expertise and interest in different fields. These volunteers became the subject editors of the various sections. These editors were charged with writing annotations on each work.

As each section was completed, it was reviewed by a second editor. The first edition was published in 1975. Supplements were compiled in 1976 and 1977. These were published in the Texas Library Journal. In 1978, Lois Bebout and her editors compiled a new edition. In 1984 and 1986, additional supplements were compiled. New reference sources since the last major compilation were included. New editions of works were evaluated on their own merit with references to older editions given.  Sources and prices were given for the titles if available.

A third edition was published in 1987. The fourth and latest edition, published in 1993, was edited by Walter F. Bell, with Deborah L. Barlow as Associate General Editor.  The members of the TLA Reference Round Table owe Lois Bebout a great deal of thanks and appreciation for her driving force and energy in seeing that this project has been developed, nurtured, and
completed over the years. Hopefully her dedication will serve as an inspiration to continue this project in the years to come.

Please give your consideration to joining in the work of preparing a new edition, one for the 21st century. A call for editors is also available in this issue of the newsletter.

This article, written by Lynne Hambric, originally appeared in the March 1985 issue of the RRT Newsletter. Data bringing the editions up to date was added by the editor.

• Jeanne Pyle jpyle@sfalib.sfasu.edu
• Will Stuivenga stuiveng@amigos.org