The list of literature is an integral part of any scientific work, it not only reflects the source study base of the study but also shows the author’s competence and ability to find and analyze literature.
As Umberto Eco noted, “... the regulation of a bibliographic description constitutes the beauty of scientific etiquette. Their observance indicates a habit of science, and their violation reveals a vulgarian and an ignoramus and often casts a disgracing shadow on a work that would seem decent at first glance ... ”
The correctness of the design of the list of references in scientific work must be given serious attention. The basic requirements for the design of scientific work are formulated by the Higher Attestation Commission of the Republic of Belarus in the Instructions on the Procedure for Completing Qualified Scientific Work ...” Specific examples of the bibliographic description of documents are contained in the “Examples of the design of the bibliographic description ...”, compiled on the basis of current GOSTs, as well as in methodological recommendations prepared by bibliographers of the National Library of Belarus.
It’s quite difficult to apply these standards without specific training, therefore, applicants for academic degrees, graduate students, undergraduates have questions about the description of various types of documents. Free educational activities for everyone are held in the library every month to clarify the current rules of the bibliographic description.
For organized groups, Educational activities on the correct compilation of bibliography are carried out according to preliminary applications for organized groups both in the library itself and on the territory of educational and scientific institutions. The target audience and the thematic focus of scientific work are taken into account for educational purposes.
For several years, the National Library of Belarus has been conducting such classes for students and researchers from various universities and research institutions. Long-term partnerships, for example, have been established with the Academy of Postgraduate Education – the next meeting for graduate students of the Academy was held in the library on December 23, 2019. The researchers of the Academy studied the current regulatory documents on the topic of the lesson, sorted out typical examples of bibliographic descriptions, and had an opportunity to ask their questions.
You can get individual consultation on individual cases of compiling bibliographic descriptions from the on-duty bibliographer of the Reference and Information Services Department in room No. 257 (2nd floor). The opening hours of the reading room correspond to the library’s opening hours.
Reference and Information Service Department
