|
1. Introduction
|
1. IntroductionMost publishing ventures, whether book publishers, journals, or newspapers, develop a house style guide for their writers and editors to supplement the standard reference works. The NDLP Writer's Handbook provides a guide to the writing and editorial policies and practices of the National Digital Library Program of the Library of Congress. It is designed to serve the needs of those involved in creating material (known as the collection framework) to accompany the American Memory collections offered on the World Wide Web. Creators of frameworks include NDLP project leaders and teams; writers, editors, and curators in the various Divisions of the Library of Congress; and outside consultants. The primary authority for writing and editing in the NDLP is The Chicago Manual of Style, 14th edition (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1993). Other useful reference works are listed in the section on Editorial Support. The purpose of the writer's handbook is to provide guidance for issues that are not covered by the Chicago Manual, that need further clarification, or that deviate from Chicago recommendations. Online publication offers opportunities and bears constraints quite different from print publication and the conventions of online publication are still evolving. This handbook hopes to contribute to shaping those conventions. "American Memory" is the name used by the Library of Congress for the multiformat historical collections that the Library offers on the Internet. The American Memory collection framework materials must speak to a broad audience of interested Web users ranging from lifelong learners to subject specialists, from elementary-school students or high-school teachers to members of Congress. To reach a global online audience, collection frameworks should convey information in a clear and coherent style using language that is appropriate in tone and substance. Presentations should be informed, accurate, and balanced. The writing should be technically correct and stylistically consistent. The NDLP Writer's Handbook details various aspects of NDLP writing and editorial work and procedures. To help users find particular sections, a simple navigation bar runs down the left side of every screen. Links to each document on the handbook home page and to the handbook search page appear on each page. Entering any section or a part of any section of the handbook will cause the title of that section to appear bolded in the left navigation bar. The contents of the handbook are as follows:
This handbook was launched and guided though its formative stages by Jeff Finlay. It is the outcome of hard work, energetic discussion, and commitment on the part of Library of Congress staff from October 1998 through June 1999. In particular, the efforts of the following people are acknowledged:
|