This double volume of Encomia, which covers the years 2014 and 2015, represents the third volume of the bulletin published in a conveniently searchable online format. To the branches of the International Courtly Literature Society that have contributed bibliographical entries here, my deepest gratitude. I strongly encourage branches that did not submit material to do so in the future. As always, the efforts and diligence of bibliographers, coordinators, and bibliographical correspondents are what make this publication possible.
I would like to extend special thanks to Logan E. Whalen and Rupert T. Pickens, who co-edited the double volume for 2012 and 2013. The quality of the result is a tribute to their commitment to the ICLS and to this bibliographic endeavor. As for my own experience with Encomia, I began as a contributor in the mid-1980s when entries were submitted on hard-copy forms that were mailed–via the post office–to one’s branch coordinator. Given that online searching and delivery of information was in its infancy, I would drive to the library of a neighboring Research I university to consult the publications that I was responsible for canvassing. 2005 marked the beginning of my service as coordinator for the North American branch. I have thus been involved in the compilation of Encomia for over three decades and have had the opportunity to follow its evolution closely. Thirty years ago, as we sat before our hard-copy forms in a library carrel, few of us could have imagined that this bibliographic bulletin would eventually be published as an electronic document.
Finally, you may notice that Encomia no longer includes a member list. The decision has been made to eliminate this feature for two primary reasons: 1) trying to include member lists complicates the task of compiling the bibliography and can result in significant publication delays, and 2) finding members’ contact information can be easily accomplished through online searching, which was not the case 10when Encomia came into being decades ago. Should you not be able to locate contact information for another ICLS member online, please get in touch with the appropriate branch secretary to inquire. National branch officers are listed below and at http://iclsweb.org.
All best wishes to the members and friends of the ICLS.
