Periodicals, whether new or centuries-old, still publishing or defunct, are explored in this series as institutional histories analyzed collectively and in social context. Most volumes are dedicated to magazines of a particular genre, subject or topical area, or interest or readership. The periodicals selected are profiled in narrative essays ending with summaries of publication history and documentation of information sources. Most volumes provide extensive introductions, classified appendixes, and bibliographies, and all are fully indexed. The series also includes other types of reference books on periodicals, such as checklists and indexes, and comprehensive newspaper dictionaries are planned.