Better Business Bureaus often receive inquiries regarding direct mail
solicitations that offer to include the recipient in a biographical
directory. Many of these directories have prestigious-sounding titles
or expensive bindings often patterned after "Who's Who" type
publications. The solicitations may be accompanied by a request for a
"membership" fee or for an order of one or more copies of the
directory. Some publishers charge nothing for a listing, but require purchase
of the book by those listed, for a substantial amount. In most cases,
the company doesn’t turn down any nominee or entry. Families of a
recently deceased person may also be contacted for information or
photographs of the deceased for inclusion in a biographical sketch.
The number of these publications covering various professions and
geographic areas is ever increasing. Included among these are
publications of doubtful value, usually highly complimentary of the
individuals listed. Many of these publications are short-lived. From
time to time, biographical publications have been issued by firms whose
names imply connection with well-known historical societies or
projects. Investigation has shown that in many cases, no connection
exists.
Many of these directories claim that inclusion in their publication is
a form of networking that will help you land business opportunities and
gain important contacts. Before entering into a publication, it is a
good idea to ask the company for specific names of companies and
individuals who use these books for reference. Follow up by contacting
the people that they claim use their publication to see if they
actually do use it.
In promotional literature for these directories, a pre-assigned
Library of Congress catalog card number may be prominently mentioned.
Consumers should be aware that this number does not convey an
endorsement by the Library of Congress. It merely indicates that the
publisher has applied to the Library of Congress to catalog the book in
its system. The Library of Congress contains many books and works of
varying qualities.
For more information, write to, Library of Congress, 101 Independence
Ave., S.E., Washington, D.C., 20540. Call (202) 707-5000 or visit www.loc.gov.
Contact Your Local Reference Librarian
Several publications commonly available in local libraries offer a
selective listing of biographical works that have been reviewed by
librarians for their reference value. These review publications, e.g.,
The Guide to Reference Books, Volume I, by William Katz; Fundamental
Reference Sources by Cheney and Williams; and Reference Books for Small
and Medium-Sized Public Libraries may also include descriptive comments
on the contents of a biographical work. Contact your local reference
librarian for additional information or call the American Library
Association, Reference Books Bulletin Office, 50 East Huron Street,
Chicago, IL 60611 at 312-944-6780. You may also visit their web site at
www.ala.org.
Guidelines for Determining Validity
If you are solicited for inclusion in a biographical work, be realistic
about your own accomplishments. Determine if the appeal is based
strictly on personal vanity.
The following guidelines may be useful in determining the validity of a biographical reference.
1. What selection process is used in choosing an individual for a
biographical work? Did a friend or relative submit your name? Did an
organization or association to which you belong submit a membership
list to a publisher? Did the publisher comb other existing directories
in which you appear?
2. Do individuals selected for inclusion write their own biographical sketches?
3. Will the publisher include a person's sketch if the
individual declines purchase of the biographical work? Some companies
offer their directories free of charge while others charge as much as
$1,000 for each copy.
4. Does the biographical work contain "evenness of entry"? For
example, are well known individuals omitted or given equal coverage
with lesser known inclusions?
One reference specialist at the Library of Congress suggests thinking
of two or three individuals who should be included by the nature of
their accomplishments in the area covered by a particular work. Are
these individuals ignored while lesser knowns are noted? If so, the
validity of the reference work may be in question. Be careful of offers
for first editions. There is no assurance of its quality or that it
will ever be published.
5. Is the publisher a well-known producer of these works? Most
libraries will only purchase well-known and useful biographical
dictionaries.
