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News from CILIP
12 April 2007
For immediate release  (Please copy to online discussion lists)

Outstanding Shortlist for Reference Awards 2006

Pastel painters, crematoria, and weapons feature among this year's shortlist for the printed category of the Besterman/McColvin Award, whilst Business Law and African American Studies feature on the shortlist for the electronic category. The full list of titles nominated will be published on the CILIP website - it emphasises how wide and varied the range of reference works printed and published electronically in Britain each year continues to be. 

The 2006 winners will be announced at the Awards Ceremony, to be held at 10:30am on Wednesday 18 April 2007 at the Library and Information Show, NEC, Birmingham. 

The Awards, which are judged by a panel of expert librarians, have been rewarding excellence and promoting awareness of outstanding reference products since 1970. They consist of The Besterman/McColvin Medals for works of reference and the Walford Award for an individual who has made a sustained contribution to bibliography.  

The Reference Awards are organised and administered by the Information Services Group of CILIP: the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals and sponsored by Nielsen BookData, the market leaders in provision of information and e-commerce services for the book industry worldwide.


THE PRINTED SHORTLIST

Death Redesigned: British Crematoria - history, architecture and landscape. Author: Grainger, H: published by Spire Books. [978-1-904965-07-7] 

Amanda Duffy, Chair of the Besterman/McColvin Printed Panel says, "This book examines the special historical, social and cultural conditions that lie behind the 251 crematoria in Britain. The buildings, some by leading architects, often display real architectural merit, and many are set in gardens representing the very finest traditions of twentieth-century landscape design. An illustrated gazetteer provides comprehensive information about each site.

A well-presented book with clear layout and numerous illustrations. The text is detailed and informative but at the same time very readable and there are many excellent bibliographical references. It will become a standard reference work within its field."


Dictionary of Pastellists before 1800.  Author: Jeffares, N: published by Unicorn Press. 
[978-0-906290-86-6]

Amanda Duffy, Chair of the Besterman/McColvin Printed Panel says, "The Dictionary includes records of 20,000 pastels in public collections or known from exhibition and auction catalogues; entries on 1250 named artists; 5000 reproductions (2000 in colour); a survey placing the major artists of the various schools in an historical context and explaining the technical features of pastel; a list of exhibitions from 1704 to 2005; a topographical index locating pastels in public collections worldwide and an index of some 7000 sitters.

A comprehensive coverage of the area, presented in a very useable and attractive way. The range and content of the indexes is impressive and the highest standards of book production have been successfully employed." 


Weapon. Consultant editor Richard Holmes.  Published by Dorling Kindersley. 
[978-140-531619-4]

Amanda Duffy, Chair of the Besterman/McColvin Printed Panel says, "The 4,000-year illustrated story of weaponry from stone axes to heavy machine-guns, swords to sniper rifles. Key weapons from every era are presented in detail and the mechanisms that operate them are displayed and explained. Top fighting forces are profiled and the weapons, tactics and fighting methods they've used revealed.

An impressive example of a 'picture as information' book with illustrations that are clear, well sized and very helpfully labelled. The scope is comprehensive and the book is extremely good value for money. A work for both the specialist and the lay person."


THE ELECTRONIC SHORTLIST

Business Eye Directory of Business Support Services. Published by Welsh Assembly Government
		www.businesseye.org.uk 
Some of the judges' comments: "The initial impact is clear and colourful". "News areas are updated daily and the links all worked effectively with all the documents being up to date". "Information was very accessible by topic and the arrangement was logical and very clear". 


Oxford African American Studies Centre. Published by Oxford University Press
		www.oxfordaasc.com 
Some of the judges' comments: "Very impressive, with good searching and navigation". "Attractive and of immediate interest." "Scope and coverage was well explained and includes primary sources, maps, images etc. and it is based on authoritative reference works".


Statute Law Database. Author: Department of Constitutional Affairs: published by HM Government
		www.statutelaw.gov.uk 
Some of the judges' comments: "A noble and much needed project". "Looked complicated but it was also clear that this will make a huge difference to the ease with which librarians and public can now search for legislation". "Highly authoritative - although entries dependent on quality of legislation". "Date of last update given plus an explanation of planned additions".


NOTES TO EDITORS

CILIP: the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals 
CILIP is the leading professional body for librarians, information specialists and knowledge managers, with around 22,000 members working in all sectors, including business and industry, science and technology, further and higher education, schools, local and central government, the health service, the voluntary sector, national and public libraries.  For more information about CILIP, please go to www.cilip.org.uk.

CILIP Information Services Group
ISG supports members' interests in the provision of information services by promoting activities that improve the effectiveness of information provision to all sectors of society. The ISG liaises with all bodies within the information profession which are concerned with information transfer to promote a wider understanding and appreciation of the importance of information work, within our profession and more widely within the industry. ISG hopes to extend its training programme, particularly in the area of continuing education and to stimulate and develop new ideas through the exchange of information. ISG has recognised expertise in specific areas, such as official publications, as well as a publications programme, including the journal Refer. Geographical coverage is through regional sections offering visits, seminars and other local events. Its cross sectoral appeal is reflected in current membership from all types and sizes of library and information unit. For further information go to www.cilip.org.uk/groups/isg/isg.html.

Nielsen BookData
Nielsen BookData is proud to sponsor the ISG (CILIP)/BookData Reference Awards for the fifth year running. We believe this award allows us to recognise and reward excellence in reference material across the library and information industry ensuring that reference professionals are fully appreciated for their commitment and contribution to our industry. BookData is the leading provider of information services to libraries and library suppliers worldwide. We create and maintain timely, accurate and unique content-rich records for English-language books and other published media, collected from publishers in over 70 countries. We then disseminate this information to public, academic and corporate libraries and library suppliers via a range of professional subscription services. BookNet, a division of BookData, provides transactional services including EDI messaging, allowing the industry to trade electronically. For further information on any of our services please contact Paul Dibble, Head of Data Sales, on 0870 777 8710 or by email Mailto:[log in to unmask]

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