Books for a Reference Library: Being Lectures on the Books in the Reference Department of the Free Public Library, Birmingham (Classic Reprint) - Hardcover

Unknown Author

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0656356170 ISBN 13: 9780656356171

Publisher: Forgotten Books, 2018

Synopsis

Discover Birmingham’s Free Library treasures: a guided tour of the Reference Library’s holdings and how to use them.

This first series of lectures unlocks the wealth inside the Birmingham Free Public Library’s Reference Department. It explains the library’s purpose, the breadth of its catalog, and how readers can find reliable, broad-based knowledge across subjects—from law and jurisprudence to botany, classical literature, and art. The goal is to make a vast collection approachable and useful for both casual readers and serious students.

In clear, accessible language, the volume discusses how books are chosen for the Reference Library, what counts as “literature” versus “technical detail,” and how catalogues can guide readers through a sprawling collection. It blends historical context with practical guidance, showing how to pick the right books for study, research, or personal enrichment. The work frames a culture of public access to knowledge and invites readers to explore the library as a treasure house of ideas.

• How the Reference Library organizes its collections and why some works are included as general literature rather than technical manuals
• Guidance on reading across categories such as law, classics, botany, and the arts
• Context for the evolution of key reference works and how to navigate long bibliographies
• Insights into building a habit of informed reading using a public library’s resources

Ideal for readers curious about library science, local history, and anyone seeking a practical path through a large reference collection.

Edition details

• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0656356170
• ISBN 13: 9780656356171
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 200