The Literary Encyclopedia is an expanding global literary reference work written by over 1750 specialists from universities around the world, and currently provides over 4200 authoritative profiles of authors, works and literary and historical topics. 

The Literary Encyclopedia provides

• biographies of writers and other prominent figures whose lives are of interest to literary readers
• descriptive profiles of literary works and other cultural texts
• articles on literary topics and historical events
• lists of recommended internet resources
• historical timelines
• author timelines
• a Glossary of literary terms (for quick definitons)
• A "Stylebook" which helps correct errors in punctuation and expression
• and in February 2008 will begin adding annotated lists of recommended reading

The first Earth Summit of 1992, held in Rio de Janeiro, issued a document that is now famous as Agenda 21. This document refers to the Earth's life support systems, considering the whole of our planet as a grand intensive care unit which supports all forms of life (both natural and human engineered systems). The EOLSS is based on this concept and the above definition of 'life support systems'.

Unlike most encyclopedias, the contents of which are alphabetically arranged, EOLSS has a thematic organization. It can almost be regarded as an 'encyclopedia of encyclopedias', presenting a wide range of major core subjects in a process of gradual development, from broad overview to great detail.

EOLSS, a compendium of sixteen encyclopedias, is being developed under the auspice of UNESCO-EOLSS Joint Committee. Subjects covered include: Earth and Atmospheric Sciences; Biological, Physiological and Health sciences; Mathematical and Physical Sciences; Chemical Sciences; Water Sciences and Engineering; Energy Sciences and Engineering; Environmental and Ecological Sciences and Engineering; Food and Agricultural Sciences; Human Resources Policy and Management; Natural Resources Policy; Development and Economic Sciences; Regional Sustainable Development; Social Sciences and Humanities; Institutional and Infrastructural Resources. EOLSS is augmented and updated on a monthly basis.

You can access EOLSS at http://www.eolss.net/. Please click on 'Access for Institutions' on the left pane. When you get to the Search page, you may either browse the Table of Contents or perform a keyword search. EOLSS is augmented and updated on a monthly basis