The present bibliography is based on the 'Bibliographic Reports' (Bibliographische Berichte), which were the general authority on bibliographies from 1959 to 1987. The purpose of the International Bibliography of Bibliographies 1959-1988 is to make available the entire records in cumulative form, presented in a consistent classification according to subject. In all there are 82,609 titles and 119,417 bibliographic entries. Comprehensive indexes allow optimal access and readers from specialist fields, librarians, archivists and information managers can all benefit from secondary bibliographies when selecting and evaluating bibliographies.