Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about the NEW ProQuest Statistical Abstract of the United States.
If your question isn't here, please contact Customer Service at order@bernan.com or call 1-800-865-3457.
- What is the Statistical Abstract?
- Why are ProQuest and Bernan publishing it?
- Why is the new edition more expensive than past editions?
- If the Census isn’t producing the data anymore, how will ProQuest create the Statistical Abstract?
- Will the copyrighted content still be included? How will ProQuest acquire it?
- Will the new edition contain the same tables as the traditional Statistical Abstract?
- Will there be new tables in the 2013 edition to reflect current issues of interest?
- How will the new edition of the book compare in the look and feel with the traditional version?
- Do I need to do anything if I already have a standing order for the Statistical Abstract of the United States with Bernan?
- In addition to the book being sold by Bernan, will there be an online version?
What is the Statistical Abstract?
Published annually by the Federal Government since 1878, The Statistical Abstract of the United States is the best-known statistical reference publication in the  country, and perhaps, the world. You’ll find it behind nearly every reference desk in U.S. libraries. Its 1400 statistical tables come from about 400 different sources, which are identified below each table. Librarians value the Statistical Abstract as both a ready-reference answer book (“How much corn is grown in Iowa?”) and a guide to statistical sources (“What organization has the most authoritative data on foreclosures?”).
In the spring of 2011, the Census Bureau announced that the edition that year would be the last one produced at government expense. Despite protests from librarians and journalists and despite petitions to Congress, the Census Bureau unit that published the Statistical Abstract was eliminated in November 2011.
The Census Bureau did not kill the Statistical Abstract because its research value had diminished. No, the Census Bureau was being asked to do more with less money, so the Statistical Abstract funds were shifted to new and existing data collection efforts. In the current budgetary climate, the aggregation of statistics for research support and convenience seemed less essential than the collection of original data.
Return to Top
Why are ProQuest and Bernan publishing it?
Content aggregation for research support and convenience is what ProQuest does. Updating the Statistical Abstract is a natural for ProQuest. They bring to the task a team of 25 statistical editors in Bethesda, MD who acquire, describe, and explain social science statistics every working day. Additional staff has been hired who are dedicated to producing the Statistical Abstract and who can draw upon the expertise of the fuller statistical editorial team.
ProQuest is uniquely suited to the demanding editorial support that will be required to continue the high quality of the Statistical Abstract. The staff is experienced in the accurate compilation of statistics from various sources and their correct annotation, enabling ProQuest to preserve the Statistical Abstract's dual role as answer book and source guide.
Bernan is the leading provider of government publications and has been serving the library market for 60 years. Bernan has kept alive in print format many valued data books that the government no longer prints, such as Business Statistics of the United States and Handbook of U.S. Labor Statistics.
ProQuest and Bernan believe that this resource is too important to the library community to disappear. That’s why we are partnering to keep it available.
Return to Top
Why is the new edition more expensive than past editions?
The Census Bureau published the Statistical Abstract through government funding. Bernan and ProQuest are not being subsidized to produce it, so the price needs to reflect the very considerable expense involved.
A major concern in taking on this effort is that libraries have paid so little for so long for this book, and as a result, some perceive the price as very high. But when you consider the comprehensiveness of the data and the tremendous work, expertise and costs involved in compiling this uniquely valuable reference, it still provides excellent value. Feedback from the librarian community was very positive and allayed our concerns.
Return to Top
If the Census isn’t producing the data anymore, how will ProQuest create the Statistical Abstract?
The Census Bureau did not create the data. They compiled it from hundreds of public and private source data providers. ProQuest has existing relationships with all of the public sources and a great many of the private ones, as well as some new ones.
Return to Top
Will the copyrighted content still be included? How will ProQuest acquire it?
About 10% of the content in the Statistical Abstract was copyrighted. It is important to recognize that the Statistical Abstract was never a static document. Every year approximately 40 tables were removed and new ones were added.
There will be only 17 copyright tables from last year's edition not included in the 2013 edition, and 6 of those 17 tables are being replaced with Federal data. Altogether, rights have been secured to 93% of the copyright tables from last year's edition.
Return to Top
Will the new edition contain the same tables as the traditional Statistical Abstract?
The 2013 edition will be virtually identical to previous editions, with updated information. In fact, the new edition will have approximately 1,420 tables, which is actually a few more than last year's edition. It will continue to provide valuable, detailed bibliographic documentation, an updated back-of-the-book index, and updated introductory sections. Each edition of the Statistical Abstract is unique, but like the versions previously compiled by the Census Bureau, the editors adhered to the same methodology and utilized the same sources whenever possible.
Return to Top
Will there be new tables in the 2013 edition to reflect current issues of interest?
Yes, there will be 23 new tables in the 2013 edition, including several tables compiled by the Congressional Research Service. Guided by recommendations from our Librarian Advisory Board, these new tables reflect hot button topics of broad interest, including data on mortgages, studen loan debt, religion, same sex households, child obesity, U.S. trade with China, and more.
Also, the preface for the book is being written by Lars Johnson, Consulting Editor for the new edition and former Chief of the Statistical Compendia Branch at the Census Bureau. Lars was a Census Bureau statistician for 35 years and he brings great experience and insight into the usefulness and history of this important reference.
Return to Top
How will the new edition of the book compare in the look and feel with the traditional version?
The new edition will be identical to previous editions of the Bernan Press Library Edition of the Statistical Abstract. Unlike the 6" x 9" traditional government edition, which came in both hardcover and paperback versions, the new edition will be 8 ½" x 11" hardcover with a sturdy binding designed to withstand heavy use and frequent photocopying in libraries. Importantly, the text and tables will be presented in an easily readable format with 25% larger type than in the previous government editions.
Return to Top
Do I need to do anything if I already have a standing order for the Statistical Abstract of the United States with Bernan?
If your library/organization has a standing order with Bernan for the Statistical Abstract, your standing order will stay in place for the ProQuest Statistical Abstract of the United States. In the coming months, Bernan will be contacting all of our standing order customers to inform them of the new publisher, pricing, etc. We will not change your order unless you direct us to cancel or change the quantity of your standing order(s) for the Statistical Abstract. Standing order customers will receive the pre-publication discount as well as any applicable multi-volume discount.
Return to Top
In addition to the book being sold by Bernan, will there be an online version?
Yes. An online version of the Statistical Abstract will be available from ProQuest as a stand-alone or as an add-on to their Statistical Insight product. Click here to learn more about the online Statistical Abstract available from ProQuest.
Return to Top |
