Page:A Bibliography on Thirukkural.pdf/23

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Value of Bibliography

Bibliography is of immense value to a student specializing in any branch of study. There is quite a large accumulation of printed materials today and a student would be at a loss, not knowing what books to choose, unless bibliography helps him. Thus it is clear that bibliography is something more than mere collection of-title-pages. It acually helps to disseminate knowledge. It enables a student to make a regular, systematic study of books concerning the subject of his choice. There are yet many special fields of which little is known and bibliographers will be doing a great service to research scholars and students if they touch upon these special fields also.

Methods

There are two distinct methods of compiling a bibliography-(i) the analytical and (ii) the systematic. The analytical method is the method of classification of books in a rational manner. The bibliographer will be able to do this, only when he has found out (a) the work or works that every volume contains (b) the edition of the volume and (c) whether the copy is perfect. The briefest library catalogue must contain the above particulars. The bibliographer might come across certain old books which do not contain these