Who´s who

                                                                      An example of online Database:     Who´s who

 I) Definition

 Who’s who is a bibliographic database, that is to say a database of bibliographic records. It is an annual British publication of bibliographies of about 30,000 notable living British people, listed alphabetically. [1]("Who´s who (UK)."1)

The first publication was printed in 1849.It became rapidly the first biographical book of its kind. Today, it is among the world's most recognised and respected works of reference in its kind.It is edited since the very beginning by the same editor house: A & C Black. An annual publication is edited every year. Moreover, a complete online edition was created in 2005. This implies that Who´s who can now be listed as an online database.

 The online edition of Who's Who offers online access to unique autobiographical statements written by over 120,000 people who have made their mark on British life[2](Oxford University Press 8). Several tools are available, and simplify your search: you can refine and re-order search results. Besides, the possibility to e-mail entries and accurate citations will be available by 2010, and will significantly improve the use of Who´s who as an online bibliographic database of reference.

In order to access Who’s Who online, people need to subscribe. Different types of subscriptions are available: a personal one, or an institutional one (which can be used if your university is registered).  With the personal subscription, people have access to more than 100,000 bibliographic references, and are informed of regular updates throughout the year. However, the cost remains high (295£ for an annual subscription).

 New entries are listed every year. Future candidates are chosen according to their influence on British Society, to their distinction in their professional work, and to their reputation. In order to choose them, a Selection Board meets regularly during the preparation for each edition to discuss potential entrants. At the end, Who´s who lists people from diverse social categories, and from several professional backgrounds such as listing of the holders of UK hereditary titles, from Duke to baronet, who are invited automatically, senior judges, musicians, politicians, film directors …

 One thing to bear in mind is that once a person appears in this book, she remains listed until death. Moreover, it is worth mentioning that another edition exists, listing people who used to appear in the Who´s who, but who are no more of this world.

    To put it in a nutshell, this useful database will interest people working in government, political organizations, business, cultural institutions, education but also students interesting in British History and society.

II) References

 Oxford University Press. "WHO´S WHO 2010 & WHO WAS WHO." A & C Black. 2009.Web. Oxford University Press. <http://www.ukwhoswho.com/public/home.html>.

"Who´s who (UK)." wikipedia. 17/10/09 2009.Web. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Who%27s_Who_(UK)>.

 III) See also

• Who´s who Official Website
• Database