Living and Static Reference Works

Some of Springer Nature’s reference works are published as living references which are online first, real-time snapshots (article collections) of a reference work which is in development or is being updated.

  • The living editions are delivered well in advance of the static, printed reference publications (which are not available until complete), and continuously offer new and up-to-date content.
  • Each online-first entry has its own DOI and is fully citable.
  • If the image of the reference shows LIVE!, then it is a living reference work:

Logo of Springer Reference Live with a yellow background and a downward arrow

  •  The book page will show Living Edition under the title:

Springer Link logo with text 'Global Encyclopedia, Living Edition' and 'Editors: Ali Farazmand' highlighted.

  • The search results page will show Living Reference Work Entry:

Screenshot of a digital library interface showing a selected article titled "Blind Identification of Output via Sparse Representations" by Satish Nagarajaiah and Yongchao Yang, categorized as a Living Reference Work Entry and marked as in-depth.

  • Static reference works are listed as Reference Work Entry:

Screenshot of a digital library entry titled "Unnamed Ruby" from the "Dictionary of Gems and Gemology (2009)", with an option to download the PDF

  • Currently, it is unfortunately not possible to sort the entries by the date they were added. Additionally, there is currently no way to receive updates when a new entry appears.


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