Although solidly based on the incomparable resources of the Scott Polar Research Institute, in Cambridge, where Mills is Keeper of the Collections, and Speak is a Research Associate, extensive use was also made of research libraries in Canada, Alaska and Finland in the preparation of this Keyguide.
Its aim is “to provide a rapid reference source to what is currently known about the polar and cold regions” of the globe. To this purpose it is divided into three parts. The first, “Survey of the polar and cold regions and information sources relating to them”, offers an overview of the field and a general guide to its organisations, literature, and study resources. Opening with an outline of the nature and scope of polar research, and a chapter on the development of European scientific interest in the polar regions, together with the organisations and infrastructure within which this operated, it continues with a guide to appropriate education courses and possible careers.
At this point it is as well to underline the international scope of the authors’ coverage; already we are deep into the national research organisations and educational institutions of Canada, the USA, Denmark and Greenland, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Norway, Poland, the Russian Federation, Sweden, the UK, China, India, Japan, Argentina, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. This international emphasis is characteristic throughout. Before embarking on particular types of information sources, our authors insert a chapter on research strategy, explaining the function of the various types of reference works and how these resources can best be exploited. Next, in sound logical order, biographical, statistical, and mapping resources are described and listed, followed by a world‐wide review of specialist libraries, museums, and archives, and relevant book and periodical article references.
Part two, “Bibliography”, is unquestionably the Keyguide’s central core, providing an overview of the most important regional guides, bibliographies, general accounts, bibliographic databases, conference proceedings, reports, theses, current awareness tools, periodicals, and Internet resources. In addition to citing printed publications and established electronic sources, the authors assiduously point out Internet sites where much useful information may be located and updated. There follow sources of information, under 32 subject headings, each furnished with introductory explanatory descriptions where necessary, ranging from earth sciences to expedition logistics, from meteorology and climatology to mountaineering, from philately to place names, from mining and mineral resources to maps and atlases, etc.
Part three, “Directory of selected organisations”, lists national and international research organisations, libraries, archives, and other information services; museums; publishers; and specialist suppliers of polar and cold region books. By the use of bracketed and non‐bracketed numbers, a single index provides access to page numbers in part one, and to the running item numbers accorded to each publication and institution recorded in parts two and three.
Undoubtedly the most comprehensive combined listing of reference sources to the polar and cold regions of the world yet published, this Keyguide deserves the widest possible dissemination in university, research, and major public reference libraries.
