Comparing Encyclopedias and Factbooks/Almanacs and Evaluating School Reference Resources (Week 6 Assignment)

Factbook/Almanac 1. A factbook or almanac is usually an annual reference book that contains specific information about or related to a certain topic. 2. Almanacs or factbooks are usually smaller in scope than encyclopedias. 3. Factbooks and almanacs are general reference tools that provide basic facts about particular topics. 4. Factbooks “are used to quickly answer basic questions about places, time periods, and specialized subjects”. 5. An almanac can be defined as “a resource that provides useful data and statistics related to countries, personalities, events, and subjects”. 6. Factbooks are known as “authoritative sources for answering basic questions students might pose”.

Encyclopedia 1. An encyclopedia is “a series of books that contain general information about many topics or subjects”. 2. Encyclopedias generally have a larger scope than a factbook or almanac. 3. Articles within an encyclopedia offer the reader an overview of a subject, with additional sources of information listed. 4. An encyclopedia can be defined as “ a work that contains information on all branches of knowledge or comprehensively treats a particular aspect of knowledge, usually via articles arranged by subject”. 5. Encyclopedias are generally used to find more detailed information than can be found in a factbook/almanac. 6. The information within encyclopedias is often arranged alphabetically.

Both 1. Both resources are reference materials that contain information. 2. Most encyclopedias and factbooks/almanacs are now widely available online. 3. Both resources can be used to answer ready-reference questions. 4. Both encyclopedias and factbooks/almanacs contain indexes to assist readers in locating information within the resource.

SCHOOL LIBRARY RESOURCE WORKSHEET

WEEK 6

Student: Shelli Harrel

Date: 4/29/2015

DIRECTIONS:

Go to a school library (elementary, middle school, or high school).  Choose one of the following print reference resources that we learned about this week –dictionary, almanac, factbook, or encyclopedia. Discuss each section thoroughly.

Name of school library visited and grade level:

Pittsburg Intermediate School/ Grades 5-6

Resource (cite in APA format):

Johnson, A. ,& Allen S.(Eds.).(1998).The Kingfisher Children’s Encyclopedia. New York, NY: Kingfisher.

Authority of publisher and/or author:

According to the company’s website, Kingfisher is “a leading international publisher of illustrated information books” with a “reputation for creating authoritative yet accessible educational series alongside innovative stand-alone titles”.  Kingfisher publishes books on subjects such as natural history, science, geography, history, art and philosophy. With resources available in over 20 different languages, Kingfisher books are utilized all over the world.  As a division of MacMillan publishers, Kingfisher is part of a company with “a rich history in the book industry”. Macmillan Publishers is a “global trade publishing company owned by Verlagsgruppe Georg von Holtzbrinck, with imprints in the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Australia, South Africa, and around the world.”

Source: Kingfisher website, http://www.us.macmillan.com/publishers/kingfisher

            and Macmillan website, http://www.us.macmillan.com/about

Accuracy of information:

The information found in this resource appears to be quite accurate for the time that it was published. Looking at different reviews for this book, it seems that the readers appreciate the format in which the information is arranged and the fact that the book contains vivid illustrations and photos related to the content. According to a review on goodreads.com, the “inviting layout makes it quicker and easier for users to find the information that they seek and there is comprehensive coverage of all the topics a child could wish to research.” The introduction to the book states that it “has been written and checked by a team of specialist authors and consultants, and produced by a team of editors and designers with years of experience in children’s reference”.

Source: Goodreads.com website, http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2090197.The_Kingfisher_Children_s_Encyclopedia

Currency of information:

The information within this encyclopedia appears to have been current at the time of publication. At the end of the book, there is a twelve page fact finder section. Within this area, there are different dates and statistics listed, with part of that information including such facts as the population of the largest American cities. This information is dated 1996 and the within the section entitled “Highlights of the 20^th Century”, there is information dated up to 1998. Although these facts and the information presented in this resource, appear to have been current at the time that this book was published, by today’s standards it would not be considered current due to the fact that the information is approximately 17 years old.

Format:

The format of this book is arranged in such a way that it would be quite appealing to readers, especially within the target audience of young children. With a layout that contains “state-of-the-art graphics and illustrations” alongside important information, this resource is both “functional and inviting”. According to the review from goodreads.com, “headwords always appear in the upper left corner of the page for quick reference and all entries begin with a concise definition of the subject”. “Complex diagrams are fully annotated for easy comprehension,” while “Fast Fact boxes contain key facts and essential data”. The arrangement of information on each page of the book seems easy to read due to the appropriate placement of text amidst illustrations and reference boxes. In general, the format of this book makes locating information within this resource, a fairly easy process.

Source: Goodreads.com website, http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2090197.The_Kingfisher_Children_s_Encyclopedia

Scope:

The scope of this resource appears to be quite extensive for a book designed for young readers. Some of the topics that are covered include “ geography, science and technology, natural resources, animal life, transportation, communications, astronomy, history and prehistory, politics, religion, sports and the arts”. When browsing through the book, I noticed that there are additional facts and resources noted on almost every topic covered to allow the reader to explore the information further. In addition to the variety of topics address in this book, it also contains a twelve page fact finder section that gives information on such topics as: “Countries of the world, States of the United States, Presidents of the United States, Population of the Largest American Cities, The Provinces and Territories of Canada, the Prime Ministers of Canada, International Organizations, Biographies, and Highlights of the 20^th Century”.

Ease of use:

This resource is designed in such a way that it is extremely user friendly. The information is organized alphabetically and “a simple cross-referencing feature makes it easier to gather information on a particular topic”. At the beginning of the book, there is a page that clearly shows the reader how to use the encyclopedia by pointing out the various sections on each page. This page tells the reader that the book “provides information on two levels-quick reference and in-depth knowledge”. There are sections like “fast fact boxes” or “cross-reference boxes” that aid the reader in locating information quickly or exploring a topic further. In addition to these features, this resource also contains a lengthy index arranged alphabetically to assist the reader in locating particular information or illustrations.