A selective bibliography on the environment in the Reference and Melitensia Departments of the University of Malta Library

Abstract

This work is the second bibliography on the environment, based on holdings of the University Library, published in the last recent years. The first, entitled, "Environment - a select bibliography," was published in 1992 and compiled by Anita Ragonesi and Joanna Felice. This bibliography was limited to 100 titles from foreign studies. Since then, interest from students and other environmental conscious persons has grown considerably. TI1e concern of the public for environmental matters has increased as shown in the recent outcry against the proposed cement plant. Moreover, several new opportunities for environmental studies have arisen in the University of Malta. Many graduate theses and undergraduate dissertations or long essays have been submitted. One of the authors, Anton Pizzuto is a graduate of one of these new programs. He is currently the Director of the Cleaner Technology Center and Head, Scientific Division of Malta University Services Ltd., focal point on Cleaner Production of the Mediterranean Action Plan. On the other hand, Joanna Felice works as a Reference Librarian at the University Library and she is very much aware of the constant request of this important topical subject. Traditionally, the Melitensia Collection at the University Library was considered by many to hold interest only for readers from the humanities. However, a large number of works suitable for scientists and students of science are also held in this Department. In fact we document over 400 works from the area of local environmental science. Prominent Maltese scientists have written some of these works. For ease of Reference we have decided, after consulting experts in the field, that the bibliography be divided into works from the Reference Department (including encyclopedias, dictionaries, directories, Maltese legislation and legal notices) and Melitensia Department, (including papers, reports, monographs, graduate theses and undergraduate dissertations or long essays). Each holding shows title of work, author, publisher, year of publication and shelfmark. A keyword index and an author index have been included to facilitate the use of this bibliography. We are planning to up-date the bibliography regularly. [Preface by Joanna Felice and Anton Pizzuto]