Limitations

Every set of encyclopaedia has some limitations and the librarian must be vigilant about these limitations.

1. In order to keep the size of the volume under control, some good articles are omitted to yield to the pressure of including the new subjects. This effects the overall coverage of the set in a long run. 
2. It serves only as a background source of information. Reader has to refer to special encyclopaedias or those mentioned in the bibliographies appended to articles for detailed information. 
3. It is not possible to update annually incorporating all the literature in every field of knowledge by bringing out the supplement to encyclopaedia. The purpose of bridging the gap is not fulfilled by publishing the supplements. 
4. The national encyclopaedias do not follow the rule of objectivity but suffer from bias. The popularity of the publication is marred due to exaggeration in praising their own, country and not giving clear picture of the developments in other countries. 
5. The general encyclopaedias cannot treat all the topics equally and include all the developments in each and every field. Thus, it becomes necessary to publish more subject encyclopaedias to give detailed information in specific subjects.