Table of Contents

Introduction ------------------- Saturday, April 17
Bibliography Evaluations --------- Friday, April 16
Biography Evaluations ---------- Thursday, April 15
Directory Evaluations --------- Wednesday, April 14
Factbook Evaluations ------------ Tuesday, April 13
Geographical Source Evaluations -- Monday, April 12
Government Source Evaluations ---- Sunday, April 11
Index Evaluations -------------- Saturday, April 10
Reference Guide ------------------- Friday, April 9
Getting to Know Buley Library --- Thursday, April 8
Parts of a Book ---------------- Wednesday, April 7
Library Visit -------------------- Tuesday, April 6
Online Searching ------------------ Monday, April 5
Google Lab ------------------------ Sunday, April 4
Internet Search Lab ------------- Saturday, April 3
E-Books -------------------------- Friday, April 2
EndNote Web Bibliography -------- Thursday, April 1
Reference Questions, Set One -- Wednesday, March 31
Reference Questions, Set Two ---- Tuesday, March 30

*Please note that dates in the table of contents are solely used to order entries, and do not reflect the dates assignments were completed.

Introduction

This blog contains evaluations for various reference sources, including bibliographies, biographies, directories, factbooks, geographical sources, government sources, and indexes. (An asterisk following a citation indicates that the evaluation was included in a group compilation.) The blog also includes a reference guide and other assignments completed throughout the semester. It was created in partial fulfillment of the requirements for ILS 504 Reference Materials and Services, taught in Spring 2010 by Dr. Elsie Okobi at Southern Connecticut State University.

Bibliography Evaluations

1. American Book Publishing Record. New Providence, N. J.: R. R. Bowker, 1960- .*
a. Purpose: to provide a record of books published in the United States.
b. Authority: The American Book Publishing Record (APBR) has been published every month since 1960. It is published by R.R. Bowker, an established company that provides various products and services to librarians, publishers, and retailers, including assigning ISBN numbers for books published in the United States.
c. Scope: ABPR can be purchased monthly or annually. It provides information about non-fiction books, adult fiction, and juvenile fiction. It does not provide information about “governmental publications, subscription books, dissertations, new printings as distinct from reprints, reissue and other periodicals, pamphlets under 49 pages, specialized publications of a transitory nature or intended as advertising, and most elementary and high school textbooks.”
d. Format: The format of ABPR is dense. Information is arranged in columns, and the print is small. Subject headings are in bold, larger type. Authors’ last names are in small, regular print, but capital letters are used.
e. Arrangement: The non-fiction section is arranged by Dewey Decimal numbers. The adult and juvenile fiction sections are arranged by subject headings. Also, there are three indexes: author, title, and subject guide. These are arranged alphabetically.
f. Entries: Entries are based on Machine Readable Cataloging (MARC) information; they also include the ISBN number and price of the book (if provided by the publisher). The entries are current, as APBR is published monthly. Some entries contain summaries provided by the publisher..
g. Special Features: APBR is distinguished because of its scope and currency.
h. Use: This source is designed to be used by librarians and publishers. It could be used to locate publishing information about a title, find books on a particular subject, or to find books published by an author in the year the edition covers.
i. Overall Evaluation: APBR is a comprehensive source for bibliographic information on books published in the United States.

2. Bibliographic Index: A Cumulative Bibliography of Bibliographies. New York: H. W. Wilson, 1937- .*
a. Purpose: To provide information on bibliographies.
b. Authority: The Bibliographic Index is published by H.W. Wilson, a highly reputed company that publishes many reference books.
c. Scope: This book contains information on bibliographies printed in the Roman alphabet, which includes sources in languages other than English. It is published three times each year and contains items printed in the past five years. Its citations include bibliographies that list at least fifty sources, including those that are “published separately” and those that “appear as parts of books, pamphlets, and periodicals.” It does not include “non-print items, reprints, catalogs of library holdings, or bibliographies in clinical medicine or case law.”
d. The format of Bibliographic Index is dense. Pages are arranged in two columns. The print is small. Bold type is used to set off headings. There is a page of sample entries at the beginning of the book, which is useful for navigating information.
e. Arrangement: “The subject headings used in this Index conform to Library of Congress Subject Headings. Citations are arranged alphabetically by main entry under each heading.”
f. Entries: Entries contain a citation and brief explanation of the source.
g. Special Features: This source includes citations for materials published in other countries and in languages other than English. This gives Bibliographic Index a larger scope than other resources, although not all users will be able to utilize this feature.
h. Use: This source is designed to be used by librarians and researchers to locate sources about topics. An example of a question it might answer is, “What resources can I find on the history of libraries?”
i. Overall: Bibliographic Index is a comprehensive source for citations on thousands of topics. The online version contains additional citations that are no longer included in the print version. This source could be used to find information on topics when a journal database search is inadequate or when print sources are needed.


3. Books in Print. New Providence, N. J.: R. R. Bowker, 1948- .*
a. Purpose: To list books currently in print. Books in Print (BIP) is different than the ABPR because it includes books currently in print, rather than books published in a specific year.
b. Authority: BIP is also published by R.R. Bowker. (See first entry.)
c. Scope: This source lists information for books published since the mid-1970s. The print version contains over 2.5 million titles.
d. Format: A sample page found online showed three columns of small, dense print. Bold type was used for headings.
e. Arrangement: This source is arranged by Bowker’s own system of subject headings, which is similar to the Library of Congress subject headings. Sources are listed alphabetically by author within those headings.
f. Entries: Entries list publication information.
g. Special Features: An online version is available by subscription (BooksInPrint.com). This version has features not found in the print version, such as the ability to search for out-of-print books, and audio and visual material. Furthermore, it offers links to descriptive annotations and book reviews.
h. Use: BIP can be used to find bibliographic information on books that are in print. One question it might answer is, “What books can I find on architecture?”
i. Overall: BIP is a comprehensive source for books published after the mid 1970s. If space is an issue, the online version of BIP is a reasonable alternative to the print version.


4. Guide to Reference Books. 11th ed. Robert Balay et al, editors. Chicago: American Library Association, 1996.
a. Purpose: To provide bibliographic information for sources on many subjects.
b. Authority: This source is published by the American Library Association (ALA). According to Booklist, the ALA’s review journal, this books is a “reference standard.” It is cited by many other publications.
c. Scope: This source contains entries for close to 16,000 resources chosen by a panel of fifty librarians. It contains references for resources published in various languages. It is current up to 1994. Most of these references are available in print as opposed to electronic formats; Booklist writes that, “Though there continues to be extensive coverage of national and international bibliographies, there is no listing for OCLC's WorldCat or RLG's RLIN, both of which now dwarf the National Union Catalog.” (1996)
d. Format: Pages are arranged in three columns of small type with bold headings.
e. Arrangement: Entries are arranged by principal subject, then listed by subtopics. Some sections are also sorted geographically where noted. Also, this resource contains an index that interfiles author, title, subjects, etc. (In other words, there are not separate indexes for authors and for subjects.)
f. Entries: Entries contain title, author, publication information, reprint information, number of pages, and an annotation.
g. Special Features: The 11th edition contains more subject areas than the previous editions. It also contains cross-references that were not listed in previous editions.
h. Use: One example of a use for this source is to find a bibliography of bibliographies, or bibliographies on various subjects. (Balay, 1996, p. 2)
i. Overall: While this is certainly a useful resource, more current reference guides are available.


5. National Union Catalog Pre-1956 Imprints: A Cumulative Author List Representing Library of Congress Printed Cards and Titles Reported by Other American Libraries. 754 vols. Andover, MA: ALS, Inc., 1987.
a. Purpose: To find citation information and locations of printed material published before 1956 in the United States and Canada.
b. Authority: The National Union Catalog of Pre-1956 Imprints is a widely recognized resource. 27% of its material is not listed in WorldCat.
c. Scope: This source contains bibliographic information on printed materials in American and Canadian libraries that were published before 1956, including books, pamphlets, atlases, maps, and sheet music. It does not contain entries from works published after 1956, or those published outside the United States and Canada.
d. Format: The type is small with bold headings. Libraries often have this resource on microfilm because the printed work is 754 volumes long.
e. Arrangement: Entries are arranged alphabetically by author or title.
f. Entries:In addition to author, title, and other publication information, each title has a location listed so the source can be found by researchers.
g. Special Features: Some entries contain cross-references. This source also has added entries for material not found in the Library of Congress.
h. Use: This source is used for historical research. For instance, it could be used to find the location of a pamphlet published in the 1800s, or to verify the existence of a historical document.
i. Overall: This resource is invaluable to researchers who need to find prmary or secondary sources that were published before 1956.

6. New Walford Guide to Reference Materials: Science, Medicine, and Technology. Ray Lester, ed. Vol 1. London: Facet, 2005.
a. Purpose: To provide citations for reference materials related to science, medicine, and technology.
b. Authority: This source is distributed in the United States by Neal-Schuman Publishers and published was printed by Facet Publishing in the United Kingdom. Both companies are established reference publishers. (Neal-Schuman, 2010)
c. Scope: This source covers reference materials about science, medicine, and technology through 2004. It includes both print and non-print resources from across the world (but mostly resources published in English). All web addresses were checked before publication in April 2005. There is a second volume that covers social sciences.
d. Format: The guide is divided into three subject parts: science, medicine, and technology. Within those parts, it is further divided into subject groupings, fields, and resource categories (e.g. handbooks and manuals). Entries are in a medium-sized font with larger bold type for headings.
e. Arrangement: This resource contains a preface with instructions for use. It also contains a topic index and an author/subject index.
f. Entries: Each entry contains title, author, publication information, ISBN number, number of pages, cost, and an annotation. A web address is provided for print resources that have affiliated websites. Additionally, cross-references between sources are listed where applicable.
g. Special Features: Each subject section has a brief introductory essay.
h. Use: This guide can be used to find citations for resources such as a dictionary of medical terms, an earth science textbook, or a website about computer security.
i. Overall: This resource is excellent for in-depth research in the fields of science, medicine, and technology. The web addresses and cross-references make it especially helpful. Also, the comparatively large print makes this guide easy to read. One potential issue is that some web resources may have changed or no longer exist, as the guide was published five years ago.


7. OCLC Online Union Catalog. Dublin, Ohio: OCLC. http://www.worldcat.org/.*
a. Purpose: To find citation information for items, and also to locate items in libraries around the world.
b. Authority: The Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) is a global cooperative of libraries. Bibliographic references to its holdings are available at OCLC’s online database, WorldCat. WorldCat is the largest bibliographic database in existence.
c. Scope: WorldCat contains 1.5 billion items, including books, CDs, DVDs, and articles. It does not contain citations for some material published before the 1950s.
d. Format: The home page has prominently placed search field. Ten search results are displayed per page and they can be sorted by relevance, author, title, and date. The print is medium-sized. The website is available in English, French, German, Dutch, and Japanese (?).
e. Arrangement: This source is very easy to use for people who are familiar with the internet.
f. Entries: Entries contain publication and format information, a summary, and an option to “view all editions and formats.” Then there is a list of libraries where the item is located. Some entries also have ratings and options to preview the item.
g. Special Features: The “Find a Library” feature allows a user to enter his/her zip code to find a library that holds a particular item. The search feature automatically finds items in various formats: the search “oliver twist” yielded results for books, large print books, Braille versions, audiobooks, film versions on DVD and videocassette, sound recordings on CD, cassette, and LP, and articles. The “Advanced Search” feature allows users to make more specific searches. For users who need more help, WorldCat has an “Ask a Librarian” feature for live assistance.
h. Use: WorldCat can be used to find location and publication information for books.
i. Overall: WorldCat is a comprehensive bibliographic database. Many of its features are free, easy to use, and available to the public. However, it may be necessary to consult the National Union Catalog Pre-1956 imprints to find citations and locations of older material.


8. Public Library Catalog: Guide to Reference Books and Adult Nonfiction. 9th ed. Paula B. Etin and Juliette Yaakov, editors. New York: H. W. Wilson, 1989.*
a. Purpose: According to its introduction, “The Catalog is intended to serve the needs of public and undergraduate libraries, and the general library user.” It contains new subjects that pertain to the “pressures and interests of contemporary life,” such as sexually transmitted diseases and aging.
b. Authority: H.W. Wilson is a reputed publisher of reference materials.
c. Scope: The 9th edition (the one on E-Reserve) contains entries on reference materials published through 1988.
d. Format: This source has comparatively large type with clear headings. It is easy to read. Later editions are available electronically. (Fisher, 2007)
e. Arrangement: According to its introduction, “The Catalog is organized into three parts: Classified Catalog; Author, Title, Subject, and Analytical Index; (and) Directory of Publishers and Distributors.”
f. Entries: Entries contain author/editor, title, publication information, IBSN number, cost, and an annotation.
g. Special Features: This source contains a section titled “Directions for Use of the Catalog.” It also has a Directory of Publishers and Distributors for all titles listed in the Classified Catalog.
h. Use: This source can be used by librarians and patrons to find resources on various topics.
i. Overall: The most current edition (12th) of this resource was published in 2005.

9. Publist. http://www.publist.com
a. Purpose: To locate bibliographic information on articles in “magazines, journals, newsletters, and other periodicals.” Articles can also be ordered from this site in print or electronic format.
b. Authority: Publist is maintained by the Infotrieve Company, which provides information services for business clients. Publist was established in 1998.
c. Scope: Publist has access to 150,000 periodicals. It does not provide free access to full text articles; they need to be purchased.
d. Format: The homepage has a “Quick Title Search” field in the center. However, users have to create a profile to see search results, which requires the website to install cookies on the user’s computer. There is a link on the bottom corner of the page to Infotrieve Article Finder that allows users to search a smaller database (35,000 publications) without creating a profile.
e. Arrangement: Search results from the Infotrieve Article Finder contain citation information. Results cannot be sorted, but an advanced search option allows results to be narrowed. Also, results can be sorted by whether or not they have an abstract, or if they are available electronically.
f. Entries: Entries contain “access to […] titles, formats, publisher addresses, editor contacts, circulation data, and ISSN numbers.”
g. Special Features: An “Advanced Search” option allows users to search by title, publisher, and ISSN number. This feature also can limit searches to publications from particular countries.
h. Use: One question that could be answered by using Publist is, “What publications contain articles about lung cancer?”
i. Overall: Publist’s services are overlapped by journal databases subscribed to by many university libraries, so this site is not recommended for college students. Many public libraries also subscribe to journal databases, so most people can probably access Publist’s information for free. Publist and other Infotrieve resources would be useful for business clients.


10. Reference Sources for Small and Medium–Sized Libraries. 7th ed. Chicago: American Library Association, 2008.
a. Purpose: As it states in its preface, this book attempts “to serve as an authoritative buying guide for the purchase of reference collections for newly established libraries and for improving and expanding existing collections.”
b. Authority: This source has been published by the American Library Association since 1969.
c. Scope: This source provides information on reference sources in a variety of formats: print, electronic database, and CD-ROM.
d. Format: Pages are arranged in two columns. The print size is easy to read. Headings are larger and in bold type.
e. Arrangement: This source has twenty volumes. Each volume is divided by subject. Within those subject divisions, entries are arranged by formats (e.g. dictionary, electronic database). It contains an index which interfiles authors and titles.
f. Entries: Entries include the title, edition, IBSN, Dewey Decimal number, Library of Congress Catalog number, price range, and a critical annotation.
g. Special Features: The beginning of each section has an introduction from a subject-area expert. (American Library Association, 2010)
h. Use: This resource is designed to be used by librarians to determine which reference sources to purchase. For example, a librarian might use this book to find a cost-effective reference book on world geography. (O’Gorman, 2008. p. 279) It could also be used by library patrons to find available resources on various topics.
i. Overall: This book is helpful for librarians because of its scope, currency, and ease of use.


Additional References
“Facet Publishing (UK).” Neal-Schuman.com. 2010. Neal-Schuman Publishers, Inc. 27 February 2010. http://www.neal-schuman.com/blist.php?stype=series&scrit= Facet&frec=0&ord=pubyear.

Fisher, Valerie. “Valerie Fisher Evaluations.” ILS 504 Summer 2007 Group B Final Project. 2007. 27 February 2010. http://karikarp.angelfire.com/GroupBVal2_ GroupFinalProject_ILS504_Summer07.htm.

“Guide to Reference Books.” Amazon.com. 2010. 27 February 2010. http://www.amazon.com/Guide-Reference-Books-Robert-Balay/dp/0838906699.
“New Walford Guide to Reference Resources: Science, Technology and Medicine, Volume 1.” Amazon.com. 2010. 27 February 2010. http://www.amazon.com/New-Walford-Guide-Reference-Resources/dp/1856044955.

“Reference Sources for Small and Medium-Sized Libraries.” ALA.org. 2010. American Library Association. 27 February 2010. http://www.alastore.ala.org/ detail.aspx?ID=388.

“Reference Sources for Small and Medium-Sized Libraries.” Amazon.com. 2010. 26 February 2010. http://www.amazon.com/Reference-Source-Medium-Sized-Libraries-Sources/dp/0838909434.

Biography Evaluations

1. Almanac of Famous People. Ed. Jennifer Mossman. 2 vols. Detroit: Gale, 2007.*
a. Scope: Bopp describes this source as less comprehensive but more cost-effective than Biography and Genealogy Master Index BGMI). Although it indexes some of the same sources as BGMI, it focuses on the more famous biographees. (p. 400)
b. Accuracy: This source is published by Gale, a reputable information provider.
c. Currency: The ninth and most recent edition was published in 2007.
d. References: Each entry contains citations of reference works, essays, books, book reviews, and/or articles.
e. Entries: In addition to references, entries contain name, birth date, death date (if applicable), occupation, and a brief description of the biographee.

2. American National Biography. John A. Garraty, ed. 24 vols. New York: Oxford University Press, 1999.*
a. Scope: This source includes American biographees who have made significant contributions to history. It covers the following categories: pre-colonial and colonial history; politics, diplomacy, and military; religion; education; business; law and justice; medicine; science and technology; social sciences; social reform; literature, journalism, and popular writing; art, architecture, and applied arts; performing arts; sports; and miscellaneous. This is a retrospective source; all biographees included in this particular edition died before 1996.
b. Accuracy: This source is well-reputed in terms of accuracy. Thousands of authors contribute entries, and each entry is reviewed by a category-specific panel of editors who are experts in their field.
c. Currency: The 1999 edition is the most current print version; clearly, many notable Americans have died since its drafting in 1996. However, the online version is updated semi-annually with new entries and revisions to previously published entries.
d. References: Each entry closes with a descriptive bibliography of sources and further readings.
e. Format: This source is available in print or online by subscription. The print version has twenty-four volumes, in which biographees are listed alphabetically by last name. Also, there is a two-volume cumulative occupations index. Entries are arranged in two columns of medium print with bold headings. Entries vary in length from 750-7,500 words; each entry includes birth and death dates, early life, family life, career accomplishments, and references.

3. Biography and Genealogy Master Index. 2nd ed. Detroit: Gale, 1980-. Annual.*
a. Scope: This indirect source contains 12 million biographical citations, mostly from American publications. Bopp describes it as “offer(ing) the most comprehensive current and retrospective coverage,” pointing out that it even indexes Biography Index. (p. 398)
b. Accuracy: Gale is a well-reputed source of reference materials.
c. Currency: The print format was first published in 1980. It has “eight base volumes and annual updates.” (Bopp, p. 398)
d. References: As this source is an index, it is essentially all references.
e. Format: This source is available in print and online.
f. Entries: Entries are listed alphabetically according to surname, as the name appears in the work cited. Each entry includes the birth date of the biographee (as well as the death date, if applicable), and an abbreviated citation for the direct source. There is also a key to help decipher these abbreviations. (Bopp, p. 399)

4. Biography.com. A&E Television Network. 2010. http://www.biography.com.*
a. Scope: This source has over 25,000 biographies of notable people from the past and present. While it focuses on notable personalities, it also includes more obscure figures – for example, the early Christian priest Arius, born in 250 C.E.
b. Accuracy: In a disclaimer in Biography.com’s Terms of Service, A&E Television Networks (AETN) states that, “ALTHOUGH CONTENT IS GATHERED FROM SOURCES AETN CONSIDERS RELIABLE, AETN DOES NOT ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCURACY, EFFICACY, OR USE OF SUCH CONTENT.” Biography.com has a feature that allows users to report suspected inaccuracies.
c. Currency: Biography.com is updated with new content daily.
d. References: The copyright holder of each entry is listed; however, no author or bibliography is provided. However, links to “Related People,” Related Works,” and “Related Sites” are provided where applicable.
e. Format: This site is easy to navigate. Users can search for biographies by name, keyword, category, or through an alphabetical index.
f. Entries: Entries are easy to read, both in terms of layout and language; they vary in length depending on the biographee, with an emphasis on popular figures. For example, the entry on Arius is one paragraph long, while the entry on Michael Jackson is five pages.

5. Biography Index: A Cumulative Index to Biographical Material in Books and Magazines, September 2005-August 2006. New York: H.W. Wilson, 1946-.*
a. Scope: This indirect source indexes citations on practically every person who is written about in a nationally published book or magazine within the covered time period. This includes everyone from famous politicians on the cover of Newsweek to teenage reality television contestants who appear in TV Guide articles.
b. Accuracy: H.W. Wilson has a well-regarded reputation for accurate reference materials.
c. Currency: This source is published quarterly and then compiled each year. The library I went to did not hold the most recent editions.
d. References: As this source is an index of citations, it is basically all references.
e. Format: The bulk of this source is an index of biographees arranged in alphabetical order by last name; this index is formatted in two columns of small print with bold headings. In addition to the main alphabetical index, Biography Index includes several supplemental sections. It has a sample entry, a key to periodical abbreviations, a checklist of composite books that are analyzed, and an index of professions and occupations.
f. Entries: Entries contain citations.

6. Cambridge Biographical Encyclopedia. Magnus Magnussen, ed. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press, 1990.*
a. Scope: This source includes living and dead biographees from all over the world, focusing primarily on Europe and the United States. The 1990 version includes more twentieth-century figures and more women than previous editions, and includes more “popular spheres, such as sports, media, and jazz.”
b. Accuracy: Cambridge University publications are well-reputed in terms of accuracy. However, one reviewer from School Library Journal noted that some well-known figures were omitted, such as Ringo Star. (Amazon.com)
c. Currency: The most recent edition was published in 1996.
d. References: This source does not contain bibliographic references. However, if one biographee is mentioned in another biographee’s entry, his/her name is in bold print to indicate the cross-reference.
e. Format: This single-volume source includes a preface, acknowledgments, a list of contributors, and approximately 14,000 short biographical entries.
f. Entries: Entries are arranged in two columns with bold print used for headings. Each entry includes “birth and death dates, place of birth, profession, pronunciations, descriptions of achievement, cross-references.”

7. Contemporary Authors. Detroit: Gale, 1962-.*
a. Scope: This source includes current authors of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry (excluding those published through vanity or author-subsidized presses). It also includes notable journalists, screenwriters, and playwrights. Most authors are from English-speaking countries, but recent volumes include authors who write in other languages. As the title implies, most authors are alive at time of publication; however, the source does include some “literary greats of the early twentieth century.”
b. Accuracy: Gale is a reputed publisher of reference materials. Some information is supplied by the biographee.
c. Currency: This source is published irregularly. Generally, two volumes are produced each year. Also, the whole work is indexed twice each year. The volume I used to evaluate this source, Volume 265, was published in 2008.
d. References: In addition to listing the author’s works, each entry closes with biographical and critical sources, and a listing of online resources if available.
e. Format: Each volume is arranged alphabetically by author’s last name. The index is essential for determining where an author’s listing is located. In fact, there are 363 physical volumes of this source, including the Original Series, the Permanent Series, the New Revision Series, and the Autobiography series.
f. Entries: Entries are easy-to-read, with large print, bold headings used for titles of new entries, and italic headings used for sections within entries. Each entry includes the author’s name, birth date, death date (if applicable – for instance, in the case of F. Scott Fitzgerald), career highlights, professional organization memberships, awards/honors, writings, “sidelights” (an interview section), biographical and critical sources, and online resources. Some entries feature black and white photographs.


Additional References

Bopp, Richard E. and Linda C. Smith. Reference and Information Services: An Introduction. 3rd ed. Englewood, Colorado: Libraries Unlimited, 2001.

“Cambridge Biographical Encylcopdia.” Amazon.com. 2010. 8 April 2010. http://www.amazon.com/ Cambridge-Biographical-Dictionary-David-Crystal/ dp/0521567807.

Directory Evaluations

1. AcqWeb's Directory of Publishers and Vendors. Acqweb. 2004. 4 April 2010. http://www.acqweb.org.*
a. Scope: This is a directory of American publishers and booksellers.
b. Format: This website has several search options. The main page has links to publishers’ websites, which are organized in various ways: alphabetically, geographically, and by subject. There is also an email address directory, which is arranged alphabetically.
c. Entries: Entries are simply links to publisher websites.
d. Currency: This website was last updated in August 2004. The Acqweb homepage is no longer maintained.


2. American Book Trade Directory, 2000-2001. 46th ed. Medford, NJ: R.R. Bowker, 1999.*
a. Scope: This source lists book retailers and wholesalers in the United States. It also includes sellers of books in languages other than English.
b. Format: According to Bopp, “The directory is divided into four main sections: retailers and antiquarians, wholesalers of books and magazines, book trade information, and dealers in foreign language books.” (p. 337) Within those sections, it lists retailers alphabetically by state, and then alphabetically by city. Additionally, the directory includes an alphabetical index and an index organized by type of store (i.e. educational bookstores).
c. Entries: Entries include contact information and type of retailer.
d. Currency: This source is updated annually.

3. American Library Directory, 2000-2001. 53rd ed. 2 vols. Medford, NJ: R.R. Bowker, 2000.*
a. Scope: American Library Directory attempts to list all libraries in the United States, including public libraries, university libraries, and private libraries held by organizations. For instance, the entry for Norwalk, CT included the public library, the Norwalk Community College library, a medical library held by Norwalk Hospital, and a private library held by Xerox Corporation.
b. Format: This source is divided into two volumes; within the volumes, listings are organized alphabetically by state, and then divided alphabetically by town. The first volume includes a sample entry, table of contents, and listings for libraries from Alabama to Rhode Island. The second volume lists libraries from South Carolina to Wyoming, libraries in Puerto Rico and other regions administered by the United States, libraries in Canada; it also contains an organization index, a personnel index, and a section titled “Library Information.” It does not contain an index of special collections.
c. Entries: Each entry includes the library’s name, contact information, size, holdings, special collections and programs (if any), automation information, vendor information, and database subscriptions. Also, it provides the names and contact information for any branches.
d. Currency: This directory is published every year.

4. American School Directory. ASD Data Services LLC. 2010. 4 April 2010. .*
a. Scope: This source attempts to list all public and private K-12 schools in the United States. It contains information on approximately 105,000 schools.
b. Format: This source is a website; there is no print counterpart. The homepage is easy to navigate. Users must subscribe to services in order to search the website.
c. Entries: Information varies according to the subscription purchased. The minimum subscription includes school name, address, telephone number, and type (i.e. public, charter, etc.); the maximum subscription additionally includes the principal’s name, the school’s email address and fax number, statistics on number of students and number of computer’s, the school’s colors and mascot, “wish-list” items, and district contact information.
d. Currency: ASD.com contacts schools directly to get information. The website is updated every week during the school year. Once a school is listed on ASD.com, the listing cannot be removed unless the school closes.

5. Annual Register of Grant Support: A Directory of Funding Sources, 2009. 42nd ed. Medford, NJ: R.R. Bowker, 2008.*
a. Scope: This source covers grants in humanities; international affairs and urban studies; special populations (i.e. Native American); urban and regional affairs, education; social sciences; physical sciences; life sciences; and technology and industry.
b. Format: In addition to its main section, this source includes a table of contents and a section on proposal-writing. It also has several indexes: entry listing, subject, geographic, and personnel.
c. The entries contain the foundation’s name, contact information, information about its purpose, information about grant eligibility, and other information were applicable. Entries are arranged in three columns of small text with bold headings.
d. Currency: This register is updated every year.


6. D&B Million Dollar Directory. Dun and Bradstreet. 2010. 4 April 2010. .*
a. Scope: This directory includes information on public and private businesses in the United States that either make over 9 million dollars per year, or have at least 180 employees. According to Bopp, this source “has a broader scope than Standard and Poor’s Register of Corporations, Directors, and Executives.” (p. 344)
b. Format: This print resource is published in five volumes. According to the company website, “the first three volumes contain alphabetical listings, while the fourth and fifth are cross-reference volumes grouped geographically by state and by Standard Industrial Classification (SIC).”
c. Entries: Entries include “D-U-N-S® number; import/export indicator; public company and public family member indicators; company name, address, and telephone number; (incorporation information); trade style; parent company name; ownership date; annual sales; total employment; stock exchange/ticker symbol; (accounting information; […] industry classifications/business description; and company officers.” (Dun and Bradstreet, 2010.)
d. Currency: This source is published annually. However, the CD-ROM version, called Million Dollar Disc, is updated every quarter. (Bopp, 343.)

7. Directory of Research Grants. 33rd ed. 2 vol. Nashville, Indiana: School House Partners, 2010.*
a. Scope: This directory lists “more than 5,800 research funding programs” in the United States, including “search-related programs and projects, scholarships, fellowships, conferences, and internships.”
b. Format: This source is divided into two volumes. Grants are listed alphabetically by title; the first volume contains A-J and grant titles that begin with numbers (i.e. the 1 in 9 Grant for breast cancer research), and the second volume contains titles that begin with K-Z. In addition, each volume includes a table of contents, how-to-use section, subject index, geographic index, and an index by program type.
c. Entries: Entries are arranged in two columns of small print with bold headings. Each entry includes grant title, accession number, description, requirements, restrictions, application/due date, contact information, internet address, and sponsor information.
d. Currency: This directory is published every year.

8. Directory of Special Libraries and Information Centers. Christine Maurer, ed. 20th edition. Volume 1. Gale: Detroit, 1997.*
a. Scope: This source contains “more than 22,400 special libraries, research centers, information centers, archives, and data centers maintained by government agencies, business, industry, newspapers, educational institutions, non-profit organizations,” and societies in various fields of study. In addition to United States listings, it contains some listings in Canada.
b. Format: The first volume is divided into two parts. The first part contains listings A-M, organized alphabetically by the name of the library or collection; the second part contains listing N-Z. Both parts contain a table of contents; a user guide; lists of government, organization, and geographic abbreviations; several appendixes; and a subject index.
c. Entries: Entries are arranged in two columns of small text with bold headings. Each entry contains the name and address of the library/collection, phone number, contact person, and information on holdings.
d. Currency: This directory is published annually, but the most recent edition I could locate was published in 1997. (In fact, the reference librarian who helped me find it commented, “1997? I’m surprised we didn’t weed that.”) Information has certainly changed since then; for instance, no emails were listed with contact information, and holdings for one music collection included thousands of cassette tapes and videocassettes. According to its subtitle, the 2010 edition includes approximately 14,000 more entries than one I evaluated. However, since the closest 2010 edition is in Syracuse, NY, 192 miles away from my Connecticut home, 1997 was the best I could do. This source costs $1,474 from Amazon.com, so perhaps the cost prevents libraries from purchasing more recent editions.

Factbook Evaluations

1. Bowker’s Library and Book Trade Almanac. Dave Bogart, ed. 54th edition. Medford, NJ: Information Today, 2009.
a. Purpose: This reference is a compilation of reports and articles relating to libraries and publishing, including information on professional organizations and relevant legislation. It provides “practical information and informed analysis of interest to librarians, publishers, and others” in the information field. According to the editor, “...the demand for reliable and accurate information continually grows. Our aim is to answer that demand.” (Bogart, 2009, p. ix)
b. Authority: This reference is in its 54th edition. (It was formerly known as Bowker’s Annual.) Bowker’s is a well-known publisher of bibliographic materials, and is also involved with assignment of ISBN numbers. All contributors to the Library and Book Trade Almanac are well-qualified in the information science field.
c. Scope: This source includes the following parts: Reports from the Field; Legislation, Funding, and Grants; Library/Information Science Education, Placement, and Salaries; Research and Statistics; and Directory of Organizations.
d. Format: Entries are articles /reports written by contributors. Text is in one column of small print with bold type used for headings. Footnotes, references, and charts are included where needed.
e. Arrangement: This source begins with a table of contents. Each part (see “Scope) is divided into sections which contain one or more entries on that particular topic. Additionally, this source includes a list of National Information Standards Organization (NISO) Standards; a calendar of national and international information science and publishing events from 2009-2016; a list of acronyms; an index of organizations; and a subject index.
f. Entries: As stated previously, entries are reports or articles written by contributors. The information contained therein depends on the topic being addressed.
g. Use: This source provides information that is relevant to people in the information field, or those interested in learning about it. One question this source answers is, “What is the National Endowment for the Humanities, and how can it help my library?” Another question this source answers is, “What did the American Library Association do last year?”
h. Special Features: I was unable to find an online version of Bowker’s Library and Book Trade Almanac.
i. Overall: This is a reliable and useful source for information concerning libraries, publishing, and information science. It is a worthwhile purchase for a public or academic library.

2. Chase’s Calendar of Events. Holly Maguire, ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2005.
a. Purpose: This source provides a comprehensive list of holidays, anniversaries, and events. It focuses on the United States, but also provides some international coverage.
b. Authority: Chase’s Calendar of Events is currently published by McGraw-Hill, a reputed publisher of reference materials. It has been printed annually since 1957. (Maguire, 2006, p. 5)
c. Scope: This source provides dates of national US holidays, religious holidays, important dates to remember (such as when to change the clocks for daylight savings time), sponsored events, ethnic/international observations, sports events, astrological events, historic anniversaries, and birth anniversaries of important figures. Events are compiled in the spring of the preceding year, and the book is published in the fall of the preceding year. (MHProfessional.com, 2010.)
d. Format: Pages in the events section are arranged in two columns of medium-sized text with a line between the columns for easier reading. Bold type is used for headings.
e. Arrangement: This source contains a table of contents, a how-to-use section, a section of events for each month, many fact sections (such as a perpetual calendar and a guide to wedding/anniversary gifts), an index, information on how to order a copy for next year, and information on how to submit a date for publication.
f. Entries: Entries are arranged chronologically within the sections for each month. For instance, there are several entries for October 30th, including “Devil’s Night” and “Post, Emily: Birth Anniversary.” (Maguire, 2005, p. 555) Entries explain relevant information for each date or event, including contact information where applicable. (Maguire, 2005, Inside Front Cover) (MHProfessional.com, 2010)
g. Use: This source can be used to find information on a myriad of holidays, birthdays, and other events. (See “Scope.”) The editors note in the introduction that the dates are compiled months before publication; therefore, the dates of sponsored events may change and that it is important to verify event information with the sponsoring organization. (Maguire, 2005, p. 7)
h. Special Features: A CD-ROM version is available.
i. Overall: Certainly, Chase’s Calendar of Events is an interesting resource. However, much of the information remains static throughout editions. (For instance, John Adams’ birth anniversary will be the same in 2010 as it will be in 2011.) Also, much of the information can be found with a Google search or in various print references. Still, Chase’s Calendar of Events would be a worthwhile purchase for a public or academic library.

3. Post, Peggy. Emily Post Etiquette. 17th ed. New York: HarperCollins, 2004.
a. Purpose: The purpose of this book is to explain etiquette guidelines for a myriad of social situations. As this book was first published in 1922, the content has changed numerous times to reflect our changing culture.
b. Authority: Emily Post Etiquette is a well-reviewed publication in its seventeenth edition. Peggy Post is Emily Post’s great-granddaughter-in-law; she writes advice columns for the magazines Good Housekeeping and Parents.
c. Scope: This book addresses practically any social situation one could encounter. Its sections include Communications; Your Professional Life; Your Personal Life; Formalities; Entertaining and Entertainments; Travel and Tipping; Celebrations and Ceremonies; Gifts, Giving, and Thank-Yous; and Weddings.
d. Format: Type is easy to read. Bold headings of various sizes are used. Bulleted lists are interspersed throughout the chapters.
e. Arrangement: This book is arranged in sections (see “Scope”) which are divided into chapters; each chapter also has a list of subtopics addressed therein. For instance, the first chapter in the section “Weddings” is “Engagements.” This chapter addresses several topics, including the length of the engagement, dealing with future parents-in-law, and what to do in the case of a broken engagement. In addition to a table of contents, there is also an index. Finally, tabs on the side (like the letter tabs on dictionaries) show the book’s main sections.
f. Entries: Chapters are divided into topical sections. Information provided therein depends on the topic being covered.
g. Use: This book is sold in the “Weddings” section of bookstores, although its use reaches far beyond wedding etiquette. (See “Scope.”) It reflects modern-day situations and social mores; for instance, there is a section on how to format birth announcements from single mothers and from unmarried parents.
h. Special Features: Each chapter contains fun-to-read surprises. For instance, there are advice-column-style “A Question for Peggy” sections peppered throughout the book. There are also lists and charts inserted where applicable; for instance, there is a “Do’s and Don’ts for Houseguests” list in the Hosts and Houseguests chapter (Post, 2004, p. 466- 467), and a blank expense chart in the wedding-planning chapter (Post, 2004, p. 574-576).
i. Overall: This is an interesting and helpful resource for navigating the sticky situations of everyday life. It presents etiquette as a way of showing respect for oneself and others, rather than a set of rules made to exclude people (Post, 2004, p. 5).

4. Europa World Year Book. 2 vols. 50th edition. London: Routledge, 2009.
a. Purpose: This source provides comprehensive information on every country in the world.
b. Authority: Europa World Year Book has been published since 1926.
c. Scope: Every country in the world is included, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe. It provides “impartial economic, political and geographic background information and statistical data.” (EuropaWorld.com, 2010)
d. Format: Most pages are two columns of small, dense text.
e. Arrangement: This source is divided into two large volumes. The first contains alphabetically arranged entries for countries from Afghanistan to Jordan, as well as a listing of contact information 1,900 international organizations. The second includes entries on countries from Kazakhstan to Zimbabwe, in addition to an index of territories.
f. Entries: Entries contain information about countries, including “figures on area and population; health and welfare; agriculture; forestry; fishing; industry; finance; trade; transport; tourism; the media; and education.” Charts are included for statistic sections. The directory section of each entry contains “names, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, e-mail and internet addresses, plus other useful facts about organizations from the fields of government; election commissions; political organizations; diplomatic representation; judicial system; religions; the press; publishers; broadcasting and communications; banking; insurance; trade and industry; development organizations; chambers of commerce; industrial and trade associations; utilities; trade unions; transport; and tourism.” (EuropaWorld.com, 2010)
g. Use: This source can be used to research a particular country. Also, it could be useful as a reference for someone who is traveling or considering relocating to a particular country, because it lists contact information of government offices.
h. Special Features: Each entry begins with an introductory article that provides an overview of the country’s location, climate, recent history, economy, government, holidays and educational system. All information in the print version of Europa World Year Book is available by subscription at EuropaWorld.com.
i. Overall: This is a comprehensive and timely source for information about countries of the world.

5. Facts on File World News Digest with Index. New York: Facts on File, 1940-.*
a. Purpose: This source is designed to be used by people researching world events, focusing on “factual content, rather than opinion or analysis.” (Facts on File, 2010.)
b. Authority: This source has been published weekly since 1940. Facts on File is an imprint of Infobase.
c. Scope: This source compiles information from over “100 major newspapers, news magazines, other periodicals, and government and online sources from the U.S. and around the world into a permanent, researchable record.” (Facts on File, 2010.) Its sources are mostly from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and France. (World News Digest, 2010.)
d. Format: According to Worldcat, no Connecticut libraries held a print copy of a Facts on File: World News Digest yearbook, so no physical pages were available for examination. However, the entries in the online database were clear and easy to read. Bold print was used for headings.
e. Arrangement: Weekly editions are mailed to the library; they are designed to be put in a binder that is included in the purchasing cost. Additionally, the library receives monthly and quarterly indexes.
f. Entries: An online database entry about the recent earthquake in Chile contained an article, accompanying photos and charts, and a citation.
g. Use: This resource is used to find news article about world events. A researcher could use World News Digest to find articles about the recent earthquakes in Chile – or, a researcher could find articles about any major world event that occurred from 1940 to the present.
h. Special Features: In the print version, cross-references refer to early issues when needed and purchasing cost includes an atlas. Additionally, there is an online version available by subscription, which includes cross-references, many search options, and curriculum materials for educators. All online database entries are in full-text.
i. Overall: Worldcat was unable to locate a library in Connecticut that held the 2008 or 2009 World News Digest in print form. However, several local libraries held subscriptions to the online database. Therefore, it seems that the online version has surpassed the print version in ease of use.

6. Famous First Facts. 5th ed. Kane, Joseph Nathan; Anzovin, Steven; Podell, Janet. New York: H. W. Wilson, 1997.
a. Purpose: The purpose of this reference is to catalog “notable American firsts.” (Anzovin and Podell, 1997, p. vii)
b. Authority: H.W. Wilson is a reputed reference publisher. This source was first published in 1933; the 6th and most recent edition was published in 2006. Library Journal calls it "Perfect for trivia buffs or scholars seeking facts; a highly recommended staple for public libraries and American history collections." (HWWilson.com, 2010)
c. Scope: This reference book covers “firsts” of various topics, from agriculture to writing implements. While not all the included “firsts” took place in the United States, the book does focus on American history. (Karjanis, 2010, p. 2)
d. Format: Text is arranged in two columns separated by a line. Bold type is used for headings.
e. Arrangement: “Following the preface, there is a section titled ‘How to Use This Book.’ This section explains that categories are listed alphabetically, and that each category has alphabetically arranged subcategories. Within subcategories, entries are listed chronologically and numbered by the order in which they appear in the book. Furthermore, Famous First Facts contains a table of contents and indexes of the following categories: subject, year, day, name, and geography.” (Karjanis, 2010, p. 3)
f. Entries: Entries contain approximately one paragraph of relevant information about each “first,” including the date it took place, where it took place, and who was involved.
g. Use: This source is useful for studying American history. One question it answers is, “Who was the first African-American to be granted a patent?” (Anzovin and Podell, 1997, p.318)
h. Special Features: Famous First Facts is available electronically, but it “(reflects) the content of the […] fifth edition,” rather than the most recent one. (HWWilson.com, 2010)
i. Overall: The 2006 version of Famous First Facts is clearly a more timely choice than the 1997 edition; however, the electronic version (with 1997 information) would probably get more use at a public or academic library than the print version. Therefore, a library considering the purchase of Famous First Facts would have to choose between currency and ease of use.

7. Guinness World Records 2009. New York: Bantam Books, 2008.
a. Purpose: This book catalogs world records in various categories.
b. Authority: Guinness World Records is the best-known book of records. It has been published since 1960.
c. Scope: This source includes records in the following categories: Space, Living Planet, Spirit of Adventure, Science and Engineering, Being Human, Human Achievements, Modern Life, Entertainment, and Sports.
d. Format: Text is small with bold headings and generally arranged in one column. There are many black and white pictures throughout the book.
e. Arrangement: In addition to the main section of the book (see “Scope”), Guinness World Records 2009 contains a table of contents, an introduction, a section on judging world records, a section titled “How to Be a Record Breaker,” an index, picture credits, acknowledgements, and a section titled “Stop Press.”
f. Entries: Entries contain information on the record that was broken – think “5 Ws.” Many entries also include pictures.
g. Use: This source is used to look up world records in practically any area – from the expected (World’s Oldest Person, p. 107) to the obscure (Insect with the Greatest Salinity Tolerance, p. 45) and the grotesque (Person with the Most Surgical Procedures to Look Like and Animal, p. 105).
h. Special Features: “Did You Know?” boxes are interspersed throughout the book. GuinessWorldRecords.com offers access to some records for free; the complete online database is available by subscription.
i. Overall: This is a fun, timely, and easy-to-read resource. It is a worthwhile purchase for public, academic, and school libraries. It would also make a good addition to a teacher’s classroom library.

8. Internet Movie Database. 2010. http://www.imdb.com/.
a. Purpose: Internet Movie Database (IMDb) is designed to provide information and reviews about movies, television, and videos posted online.
b. Authority: IMDb is owned by Amazon.com. It has been in existence (in some form) since 1990.
c. Scope: In addition to information about movies, TV, and online videos, IMDb has information on celebrities, movie and TV characters, film industry news, and special events.
d. Format: IMDb’s homepage is visually enticing. On March 18, the website was divided into three main columns, set on a colorful background based on the new TV show Breaking Bad. The larger middle column contained information and a video about Breaking Bad, as well as links to other news and information. The side columns contained pictures, links, and advertisements. There was a search field and navigation tabs across the top of the page, which remained there when I navigated to other parts of the site.
e. Arrangement: IMDb’s homepage leads users to five categories of information, accessible through tabs on the homepage: movies, TV, news, videos, and community. Within each of these categories, the database covers various areas; for instance, “Now Playing,” “Showtimes and Tickets,” “Trailers,” “DVD and Blu-Ray,” “Independent film,” “Top 250,” “Genre,” and “Road to the Oscars” are all listed under “movies.” Furthermore, the database allows for user interaction; under “movies,” users can pick “Browse,” where they can learn about and rate movies, and “My Movies,” where users can make personalized lists of their favorite films. In addition to tabs and links on the homepage, IMDb has a help section and a site index that lists categories alphabetically.
f. Entries: For each listing, IMDb includes the title, user rating and reviews, Motion Picture Association of America rating (i.e. PG-13), year of release, director, writer(s), production company, cast members, genre, plot summary, run time, language, related articles, and trivia. Also, access to production company contact information is available by subscription.
g. Use: This resource is great for finding both objective and subjective information about movies and television. One question it answers is, “Who was in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective?” Another question it answers is, “Would Aliens be appropriate for my seven-year-old to watch?”
h. Special Features: Users can contribute content to IMDb; one feature that utilizes user-generated content is “Character Biographies.” A user can click on a picture of a character and find out about his/her “life.” For example, the character biography of Ace Ventura (the protagonist in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective) begins: “Ace Ventura is a professional pet detective renowned the world over. Preferring to help animals rather than people, Ace worked cases near his Miami home for some time. Ace received his big break when he was referred to a case involving the Miami Dolphin's mascot, Snowflake.”Most IMDb features are available free of charge. More features are available by subscribing to IMDbPro. Also, aspiring actors can create a resume on IMDb (at a small monthly cost, of course).
i. Overall: IMDb is a fun, informative, and mostly free source. It is important to note, however, that IMDb is certainly influenced by advertisers, and that some user-generated content is not verified by IMDb staff.

9. A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses and Dissertations. 6th ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1996.*
a. Purpose: This manual is designed to help students to research and write college-level papers – according to one reviewer, “everything from undergraduate papers to doctoral dissertations.” (Amazon.com, 2010.)
b. Authority: This manual was first published in 1937 by Kate Turabian; the seventh and most recent edition was published in 2007 with revisions by Gregory C. Colcomb, Wayne C. Booth, and Joseph M. Williams, all distinguished writers and English professors. The current version reflects The Chicago Manual of Style. (Amazon.com, 2010.)
c. Scope: “This new edition includes information on the components of a long formal paper; the mechanics of writing style, from abbreviations to quotations; how to prepare and refer to tables and illustrations; the most commonly used systems of citation, including how to cite electronic documents; manuscript preparation and hints on word processing software; and formatting some of the complex features found in many research papers, including over two dozen sample pages.” (Turabian, 1996. Back cover.)
d. Format: This source is easy to read. Bold print is used for chapter headings. Blue, bold type is used for subject headings, and examples of various items are printed in blue using a contrasting font. (Turabian, 2007. p 297.)
e. Arrangement: This manual contains a table of contents, the main section, an appendix on paper submission, a bibliography, and a subject index. Topics are divided into chapters. Prose has a conversational tone, often directly addressing the reader. For instance, a line in the introduction of the seventh edition advises the reader, “You can’t plunge into a project blindly.” (Turabian, 2007. p 3.)
f. Entries: Entries are formatted according to the topic being addressed. For instance, the introduction has regular prose with some bullet points. The chapter about comma use alternates explanation with examples.
g. Use: This source is helpful to use during the writing process. For instance, it provides information on effective note-taking and drafting strategies. Furthermore, it explains citations and has a section on writing style and mechanics.
h. Overall: This is a well-reviewed and authoritative source that would be useful for patrons of academic and public libraries. It is especially useful for upper-level undergraduates, graduate students, and PhD students.

10. MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. Joseph Gibaldi, ed. 6th ed. New York: Modern Language Association of America, 2003.*
a. Purpose: The purpose of this resource is to guide writers of research papers through the writing process, and to provide a standardized format for arranging research papers.
b. Authority: The MLA Handbook has been published since 1977; the seventh and most recent edition was published in 2009. Its format is accepted by educational institutions as a way to arrange research papers on humanities topics, “especially language and literature.” (“What is MLA Style?” 2010)
c. Scope: This source includes the following chapters: Research and Writing, Plagiarism, the Mechanics of Writing, The Format of a Research Paper, Documentation: Preparing the List of Works Cited, Documentation: Citing Sources in a Text, Abbreviations, Selected Reference Works by Field, and Other Systems of Documentation.
d. Format: Pages are formatted according to the information contained therein. For instance, some sections are instructional prose, other sections have lists and/or bullet points, and still other sections contain illustrative diagrams. Print is easy to read. Bold, red, capitalized print is used for section headings; bold, red print is used for main headings; and bold, black print is used for subheadings. Examples are shown in a contrasting font.
e. Arrangement: This source is arranged in chapters by topic. It also contains a table of contents and a subject index.
f. Entries: Entries contain information that is suggested by its main heading and/or subheading. For instance, the entry under the section heading “CITING ELECTRONIC SOURCES,” the main heading “An Article in an Online Periodical,” and the subheading “An Article in a Scholarly Journal” contains information on how to cite a scholarly journal article that is published in an online periodical. (Gibaldi, 2003. p. 207-222)
g. Use: One question this source answers is, “How do I format an MLA-style works cited page?” (Gibaldi, 2003. p. 321) Another question it answers is, “What is plagiarism and how do I avoid it?” (Gibaldi, 2003. p. 65-75)
h. Special Features: The MLA Handbook has many diagrams to explain formatting. It also has extensive citation examples. Having used this handbook as both a student and a teacher, I haven’t encountered a type of source that was not included in the MLA Handbook’s citation examples.
i. Overall: This is a resource that every public and academic library should have. It is inexpensive and widely used. In fact, high school and college students who write many MLA-style research papers should purchase a copy so they have it on hand.

11. Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. 4th ed. Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association, 1994.
a. Purpose: APA style is used for scholarly writing in “the social and behavioral sciences,” and its rules are “detailed in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association.” (APA, 2010.)
b. Authority: APA style is a standard format accepted by educational institutions for certain types of writing. As this source is published by the organization that put forth this style, clearly it is authoritative. The most recent edition was published in 2009.
c. Scope: Topics covered in this manual include organizing a manuscript, writing mechanics, writing without bias, and citing sources.
d. Format: Print is easy to read. Bold type is used for chapter headings. As with the MLA Handbook, format depends on the information being conveyed.
e. Arrangement: This manual contains chapters for various topics, appendices, and a subject index.
f. Entries: As with the MLA Handbook, the information in the entries varies according to the topic that is being covered.
g. Use: One question this source answers is, “How do I format my psychology manuscript?” Another question it answers is, “How can I avoid plagiarism?” (“Basics of APA Tutorial,” 2010.)
h. Special Features: The manual contains diagrams and illustrations where necessary. The APA website contains a basic tutorial on APA style.
i. Overall: This source is another must-have for public and academic libraries because it is easy to read and widely used. It is the authoritative source for APA style.

12. Physicians’ Desk Reference. 60th ed. Montvale, N.J.: Thompson PDR, 2006.
a. Purpose: Physicians’ Desk Reference (PDR) is a commercially produced resource that provides information on prescription drugs. Its intended audience is physicians.
b. Authority: PDR has been published annually since 1946.
c. Scope: This source includes information on over 3,000 drugs whose manufacturers “participate” with the publishing company. It contains comprehensive information on the use, pharmacology, side effects, and interactions of each drug.
d. Format: Entries in the Product Information section are arranged in three columns of small text; lines separate the columns for easier reading. Bold is used for headings.
e. Arrangement: PDR has several sections. The Product Information section, which is the main section, lists drugs alphabetically by manufacturer. Other sections include a manufacturer index, a brand and generic name index, a product category index, a section on diagnostic product information, and a product identification guide. The product identification guide contains full-color photographs of pharmaceuticals in various dosage forms (for instance, a 200 mg pill and a 500 mg pill of the same drug). (PDR, 2006, p. 303)
f. Entries: A sample entry on Calcijex from the Product Information section provided the name and manufacturer contact information. It also contained information in the following categories: description, clinical pharmacology, indications and usage, contraindications, warnings, overdose, reactions, adverse reactions, dosage and administration, and storage directions. (PDR, 2006, p. 411-412)
g. Use: One question that could be answered using PDR would be, “What does the drug Humira look like?” (PDR, 2006, p. 301) Another question it would answer is, “How should Calcijex be prescribed?” (PDR, 2006, p. 411)
h. Special Features: There are many additional products that are marketed with PDR. These include the Monthly Prescribing Guide, the PDR Guide to Drug Interactions, Side Effects, and Indications, PDR for Nutritional Supplements, PDR for Herbal Medicines, and the PDR Pharmacopoeia Pocket Dosing Guide. Additionally, PDR is available online by subscription, in CD-ROM format, and as a pocket application called mobilePDR. Some information in these additional products is overlapped by PDR; however, they may be worthy purchases depending on the needs of the buyer. For instance, the PDR for Herbal Medicines would be a good purchase for a doctor who recommends herbal remedies in addition to pharmaceuticals.
i. Overall: PDR is an essential reference for doctors and medical libraries; it is also a good purchase for academic libraries. Public libraries may want to choose the consumer version, PDR Pocket Guide to Prescription Drugs, because of its easier reading level – or carry both PDR and the consumer version.

13. Time Almanac 2009 with Information Please. Boston: Information Please LLC, 2009.
a. Purpose: This source provides facts, news, and statistics with a focus on the United States.
b. Authority: The latest version I could find of the Information Please Almanac without any mention of Time was published in 1999. Everything after that was the Time Almanac with Information Please. According to the website Infoplease.com, “Information Please is part of Pearson, the world’s largest integrated education company. Pearson’s other primary operations include the Financial Times Group and the Penguin Group.” So, while the Information Please Company has published its almanac since 1947, I infer that corporate mergers have changed the almanac’s title along the way.
c. Scope: While this source has an international scope, it looks through an American lens. For instance, one of its Year in Review stories is “US in Afghanistan: The Longest War.” (p. 5) Sections in the Time Almanac include Year in Review; People; Awards; Nature, Science, Medicine, and Technology; World; United States; Business; Arts, Entertainment, and Leisure; and Sport.
d. Format: Print is small with bold used for headings. This source contains articles, lists, charts, pictures, and maps.
e. Arrangement: In addition to the main section (see “Scope”), this source contains a table of contents and an index. The main section is further divided into subsections; for instance, the first subsection under “Sport” is “Sporting Codes for Countries.”
f. Entries: Each entry includes information suggested by its title.
g. Use: This resource is used to find facts, trivia, United States statistics, world statistics, and information about recent news events.
h. Special Features: There is a 32-page color section that includes maps, flags of the world, and photos of important people and events.
i. Overall: This is an easy-to-use and reliable source. It is an excellent choice for any reference collection.

14. Whitaker’s Almanack 2005. Lauren Simpson, ed. London: Stationery Office, 2005.
a. Purpose: This resource is marketed as “today’s world in one volume.” It is designed to “keep (readers) up to date with current affairs.” (WhitakersAlmanack.com, 2010.)
b. Authority: Whitaker’s Almanack has been published yearly since 1868. Reviewers call it “easy-to-use and instantly accessible.” (Johnson, 2009)
c. Scope: This is a British publication, so its sections on news, government, dates, and infrastructure pertain to the United Kingdom (UK). It contains the following information: “extensive data on every world country; reviews of the year in archaeology, architecture, art, broadcasting, business, dance, film, literature, classical and pop music, opera, science, theatre and politics; obituaries of key figures from the UK and overseas; comprehensive results of major sporting events; meteorological observations and temperature, rainfall and sunshine charts; key religious, civil and legal dates in 2010; forthcoming sport and arts events; and news summaries covering UK events, legal affairs, arts and the media, economics and business, environment and science, sport, and international events.” (WhitakersAlmanac.com, 2010)
d. Format: Pages are arranged in two columns of small print. Bold type is used for headings.
e. Arrangement: This source contains a table of contents, a main section, a reference sections, and an index.
f. Entries: Entries are formatted according to the information provided therein. Entries from a sample page on public offices contained contact information and a description of the office listed.
g. Use: This source can be used to locate government offices and official institutions. For instance, it has listings for the British Library, the National Library of Scotland, and the National Library of Wales. (Simpson, 2005, p. 231) This source can also be used to review information, such as time zones, world news events, astronomical events, currencies and exchange rates, etc. (Simpson, 2005, p. 6)
h. Special Features: Whitaker’s Almanack has thirty-two pages of full-color illustrations. Other versions and products are available from Whitaker’s, including Whitaker’s Concise Almanack, Whitaker’s Almanac Pocket Reference, Whitaker’s Almanac Little Book of Infinity, and Whitaker’s Almanack Quiz Book. (WhitakersAlmanack.com, 2010)
i. Overall: This source is reviewed favorably. It is reliable and accurate, in addition to being an excellent resource for learning about the United Kingdom.

15. The World Almanac and Book of Facts. Joyce, C. Allen et al. New York, NY: World Almanac Publishers, 2009.
a. Purpose: The World Almanac and Book of Facts is a reference source for the general public. Some sections, such as those on population statistics, are meant to inform; others, such as the “Off-beat News Stories” section are meant to entertain.
b. Authority: This resource is distributed by St. Martin’s Press, a long-established publisher. It is (according to the publisher) the “#1 bestselling American reference book of all time,” and has been called “concise, reliable, and accurate” by the New York Times.
c. Scope: World Almanac is published annually. It has sections on current events, health statistics, sports, entertainment, science, nations of the world, US cities and states, and US facts. One reviewer on Amazon.com complained that a section containing zip codes for the fifty states had been eliminated from the 2009 edition; however, the same reviewer said that the zip code section was reinstated in the 2010 edition. (Worldcat.org, 2010) (Amazon.com, 2010)
d. Format: This source uses small print with bold type for headings. Format of individual entries depends on the information contained therein. For instance, some entries are articles and some entries are lists.
e. Arrangement: This source contains a table of contents and an index.
f. Entries: Entries contain information suggested by the title.
g. Use: This almanac contains a wealth of information on news, health, science, the arts, and the United States government. One question that the 2010 edition answers is, “What were some important world events of 2009?” Another question it addresses is, “What is the most populous city in the United States?”
h. Special Features: The 2010 edition includes 16 pages of full-color photos and 16 pages of maps.
i. Overall: Many public libraries have the World Almanac and Fact Book because it is an interesting and reliable resource that focuses on the United States.


Additional References

“About Chase’s.” The McGraw-Hill Companies. MHProfessional.com. 2010. 17 March 2010. .

“About Europa World Plus.” EuropaWorld.com. 2010. Routledge. 19 March 2010. http://www.europaworld.com/pub/about.

“About Print Subscriptions.” Facts on File. .

“Basics of APA Style.” American Psychology Association. 2010. 12 March 2010. http://flash1r.apa.org/apastyle/basics/index.htm

“Company Overview.” Infoplease.com. 2010. Pearson Education. 19 March 2010. http://www.infoplease.com/aboutip.html

“Famous First Facts, 6th Edition.” HWWilson.com. 2010. 18 March 2010. http://www.hwwilson.com/print/fam1st_6th.cfm.

“Famous First Facts, Electronic Edition.” HWWilson.com. 2010. 18 March 2010. http:// www.hwwilson.com/databases/fam1stec.htm.

Johnson, Roy. “Whitaker’s Almanack.” Mantex.com. 2009. 17 March 2010. http:// www.mantex.co.uk/2009/07/24/whitakers-almanack/.

Karjanis, Jessica. “Parts of a Book Assignment: Famous First Facts.” Unpublished paper written for ILS-504 at Southern Connecticut State University. 5 February 2010.

“A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, Seventh Edition: Chicago Style for Students and Researchers (Chicago Guides to Writing, Editing, and Publishing) (Paperback).” Amazon.com. 2010. 14 March 2010. http://www.amazon.com/reader/ 0226823377?_encoding=UTF8&ref_=sib_dp_ptu#reader_0226823377.

“PDR: Physicians’ Desk Reference 2010.” Amazon.com. http://www.amazon.com/ PDR- Physicians-Desk-Reference-2010/dp/1563637480/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s =books&qid=1268829505&sr=8-1.

“What is MLA Style?” Modern Language Association. 2010. 12 March 2010. http://www.mla.org/style.

WhitakersAlmanack.com. 2010. 17 March 2010. http://www.whitakersalmanack.com/ whitakers.asp?page=home.asp.

“World Almanac and Book of Facts.” Worldcat.com. 2010. 18 March 2010. http://www. worldcat.org/title/world-almanac-and-book-of-facts-2009/oclc/276429956&referrer =brief_results.

“World News Digest.” Facts on File. 2010. 12 March 2010. http://factsonfile. infobasepublishing.com/DatabaseHome.asp?pageID=3&ISBN=1578520304&Tab= Sources.

Geographical Source Evaluations

1. Atlas of the World. 10th ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2002.*
a. Scope: This source is extremely comprehensive. In addition to 176 topographical and political maps that cover every country in the world, it includes a gazetteer of nations, street maps of 67 major cities, world statistics (i.e. country area and population) and informational sections on various topics.
b. Currency: The tenth edition was published in 2002, so population statistics will be slightly different today. However, countries’ borders are still the same.
c. Accuracy: Oxford University Press has an excellent reputation for accuracy, and employs a panel of geography experts in the making of this atlas. Place names are the ones used by the British Foreign Office and major publications such as Newsweek and the Washington Post.
d. Format: This atlas has keys to its world map pages inside the front and back covers. It opens with a forward and a table of contents, followed by the information sections and the maps section. The atlas closes with an alphabetical index of place names.
e. Illustrations: The full-color maps, charts, and photographs in this atlas are excellent; in fact, Library Journal calls the atlas “stunning.” One of the most attention-grabbing features is a section called “Images of Earth” which features photographs of major cities that were taken from space.
f. Overall: This is an accurate, comprehensive, and interesting atlas.

2. Chambers World Gazetteer. David Munro, editor. 5th ed. Edinburgh: Chambers, 1988.*
a. Scope: The Chambers World Gazetteer has approximately 45,000 entries. (American Library Association)
b. Currency: Published over twenty years ago, this is not current resource.
c. Accuracy: This is an accurate resource, but most statistics are from 1980. (American Library Association)
d. Format: This source is arranged alphabetically by place name.
e. Entries: Entries contain place name and brief information.
f. Illustrations: This source contains color and black and white maps.
g. Overall: This resource is not current and does not have as broad a scope as the Columbia Gazetteer of the World.

3. The Columbia Gazetteer of the World. Saul B. Cohen, ed. 3 vols. New York: Columbia University Press, 1998.*
a. Scope: This gazetteer catalogs approximately 163,000 places, including countries, states/provinces, counties, cities, towns, physical features (i.e. bodies of water), and special places (i.e. national parks). According to its introduction, its goal is for “maximum coverage.”
b. Currency: The 1998 edition reflected many of the world’s political changes, including the end of colonialism and the break-up of the former Soviet Union. The most recent print version, published in 2008, reflects changes in the world since then – for instance, the new location of Myanmar’s capital city and the decreased population of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. The most current version is online, and is updated continually.
c. Accuracy: Reference sources from the Columbia University Press are well-reputed for accuracy. According to its website, “The entries (in the Columbia Gazetteer of the World) reflect the input of specialists intimately familiar with a wide variety of sources, some of which are not readily accessible, and with personal knowledge of places and features that these sources have described.”
d. Format: The print version of this source is arranged in three volumes, with entries listed alphabetically; the first volume contains A-G, the second has H-O, and the third has P-Z.
e. Entries: “The entries include information on many of the following: demography; physical geography; political boundaries; industry, trade, and service activities; agriculture; cultural, historical, and archeological points of interest; transportation lines; longitude, latitude, and elevations; distance to relevant places; pronunciations; official local government place-names and changed or variant names and spellings. Their length varies from a brief notation on a small village to an essay on a country or region.” (ColumbiaGazetteer.Org, 2010)
f. Illustrations: The print version of source does not have illustrations. The online version has photographs to accompany some entries.
g. Overall: The Columbia Gazetteer of the World is an extensive, accurate source that reflects the world’s political and social changes.

4. Guide to Places of the World. 2nd ed. New York: Reader's Digest Association, 1995.*
a. Scope: This source contains 8,000 entries on places, including physical features suck as mountains and man-made attractions such as skyscrapers. (School Library Journal)
b. Currency: This resource is 15 years old; while much of the information remains the same, some important current information will be missing, and demographic statistics may be invalid.
c. Accuracy: Reader’s Digest is a trusted publisher.
d. Format: This source is arranged alphabetically by place name.
e. Entries: According to School Library Journal, entries vary in length and are written in a “lively […] style.” In addition to entries about places, this book includes “Day in the Life” stories about people around the world.
f. Illustrations: According to School Library Journal, this source’s “lavish photographs and charts are above average and sure to capture the interest of readers.”
g. Overall: While this source has a narrow scope, its conversational tone and high-quality illustrations make it a good reference book for a school or public library.

5. Hammond Atlas of the World. Concise Edition. Maplewood, NJ: Hammond, 1996.*
a. Scope: This atlas contains maps of all the countries in the world. It also includes world statistics and maps on various topics such as population and climate.
b. Currency: This source was published fourteen years ago, so some statistics have changed since then.
c. Accuracy: Hammond verifies its information on place names and borders with the United States government and the United Nations.
d. Format: This source begins with a table of contents, a how-to-use section, and sections of information about cartography and world statistics. The main section of maps is arranged by continent. This atlas also contains a quick reference guide and an alphabetical index of place names.
e. Illustrations: This atlas has color maps and charts.
f. Overall: As this atlas is a “concise” version, it has fewer information sections than Oxford’s Atlas of the World. However, its map section is equivalent to Oxford’s, if less visually “stunning.”

Additional References

“Chambers World Gazetteer: An A-Z of Geographical Information.” American Library Association. DC Library. 2010. 11 April 2010. .

“Guide to Places of the World: A Geographical Dictionary.” Amazon.com. 2010. 11 April 2010. Review by School Library Journal. .

“Introduction to The Columbia Gazetteer of the World.” ColumbiaGazetteer.Org. 2010. 10 April 2010. .

Government Source Evaluations

1. American Statistics Index. Washington, D.C: Congressional Information Service, 1973.*
a. Scope: The scope of this source is very broad. According to the Congressional Information Service, “ASI covers every type of statistical publication (periodicals, series, special reports, annuals and biennials, etc.) regardless of whether issued by the Government Printing Office or an individual agency, whether in print or online or whether offered to libraries through the government’s depository library program.” (LexisNexis, 2010)
b. Currency: This source is published monthly, with quarterly and annual cumulations.
c. Accuracy/Authority: This index is published by the United States government’s executive branch.
d. Format: This source is available in print. Also, an online version is available by subscription through LexisNexis that covers 1973 through November 2009.
e. Entries: An entry in the index volume will provide keywords associated with a document, and then a number to find the abstract entry. The corresponding abstract entry will have bibliographic information and a short description. (Pickler Memorial Library, 2010)
f. Features: ASI has corresponding microfiche files available. (Pickler Memorial Library, 2010)
g. Overall: This is a current and comprehensive source for United States statistics.

2. The Book of the States. Lexington, Ky.: Council of State Governments, 1935- .*
a. Scope: This source provides information on the fifty states and six U.S. territories. It includes chapters on each state’s constitutions, intergovernmental relations, legislative branch, executive branch, judicial branch, elections, finances, and demographics.
b. Currency: This book is published every two years since 1935. The most recent edition was published in 2009.
c. Accuracy/Authority: The Council of State Governments is a nonpartisan organization with public and private affiliations.
d. Format: This source is arranged in chapters (see “Scope”). It opens with a table of contents, a forward, and an introduction; it closes with an index.
e. Entries: Entries vary based on the information contained therein.
f. Features: This source contains both historical information and current public policy data. Entries include tables, charts, and graphs where applicable. Two sections, “State Initiatives and Referendums, 2008” and “State Employees: Paid Holidays,” are only available online.
g. Overall: This is an interesting and reliable resource with a wealth of information on state governments and policies.

3. CIS Index. Washington, D.C.: Congressional Information Service, 1970-.*
a. Scope: The CIS Index is a companion to the CIS Microfiche Library. It provides access to government documents through “indicative abstracts, controlled vocabulary subject indexing, and accurate bibliographic information. Publications covered include all House and Senate documents and reports, congressional committee hearings and prints, and Senate executive reports and treaty documents.” (LexisNexis, 2010)
b. Currency: This source is published annually.
c. Accuracy/Authority: This source is published by the federal government.
d. Format: The print version of this resource has two volumes: one for abstracts and one for indexes.
e. Entries: Abstract entries contain brief explanation of a particular document. Index entries provide the location of a particular document in the CIS Microfiche Library. For editions 1984 and beyond, a separate Legislative Histories volume is also available.
f. Features: The index and microfiche can be purchased separately or together, although it seems counterintuitive to purchase one without the other. Also, the microfiche component can be purchased as a complete collection, or as “Hearings only, Limited Edition (committee prints and miscellaneous congressional publications), and Serial Set only (reports and documents).”
g. Overall: While this is certainly a comprehensive source, it is also very expensive -- $37,250 for the index and complete microfiche collection. (LexisNexis, 2010) According to Worldcat, this source is held mostly by major university libraries, such as Yale University’s Law School Library.

4. Code of Federal Regulations. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1949-.* http://www.gpoaccess.gov/cfr/about.html
a. Scope: This source contains “the codification of the general and permanent rules published in the Federal Register by the executive departments and agencies of the Federal Government.”
b. Currency: This source is revised annually; different sections are revised at different times throughout the year.
c. Accuracy/Authority: This source is published by the federal government.
d. Format: This source is available in print and online. It is divided into 50 titles (categories) of law. Each title is then divided into chapters. Pages are set up in two columns of medium-sized text with bold headings.
e. Entries: Each entry is the direct text of a particular law.
f. Features: The online version is available for free through the Government Printing Office website. It is searchable by keyword, title, and date (from 1996 to the most recent revision).
g. Overall: This is a comprehensive resource of United States laws.

5. Congressional Index. Chicago: CCH, 1937-.*
a. Scope: According to its table of contents, this source includes “summaries of public bills and resolutions, enacted bills and joint resolutions, vetoes, voting records, committee and subcommittee rosters, hear dates and topics, presidential nominations, treaty summaries and status, and biographical and directory information on members of Congress.”
b. Currency: This source is published weekly when Congress is in session.
c. Accuracy/Authority: This source has been published since 1937 by CCH Incorporated, a private information services company.
d. Format: The Congressional Index is a print source that is published in two loose-leaf volumes.
e. Entries: Entries vary according to the information contained therein. For instance, the section on voting records “lists the names of those voting in the minority of their parties as well as those who do not vote.” Entries in the Members of Congress section include the Congressperson’s name, “district represented, political affiliation, district and Washington office locations, tenure of office, committee memberships and a brief biographical sketch.”
f. Features: Laws are searchable in several ways: by public law number, House or Senate bill number, name of law, name of law amended, subject, and principal author.
g. Overall: This is an excellent resource for a person who needs to know exactly what is going on in Congress – and is willing to pay over $2,000 dollars for this information. It would be a worthwhile subscription for a large news or lobbying organization.

6. Congressional Quarterly. 2010. 11 April 2010. www.cq.com.*
a. Scope: This website provides current news and background information on the legislative branch of government. It includes profiles of legislators, information on bills and legislative debates, and information on lobbying.
b. Currency: CQ.com is a gateway to many print and online subscription services which vary in currency. For instance, CQ Weekly is updated weekly. CQ Today is published daily.
c. Accuracy/Authority: This website is maintained by the press organization CQ-Roll Call Group, which was founded in 1945 is a subsidiary of the Economist Group. (In other words, this is not a government source.)
d. Format: The homepage of this website is colorful and easy to navigate. Sidebars provide links to CQ-Roll Call’s subscription services and other information.
e. Entries: Most of this website’s information is available by subscription.
f. Features: One useful feature that is available without a subscription is the “Congress 101” section. It explains various legislative terminologies, such as gerrymandering and reconciliation.
g. Overall: It is difficult to make a comprehensive evaluation of this website without access to most of its content. However, it does seem reliable, unbiased, and useful for people who need in-depth information on current legislation.

7. GPO Access. 2009. 11 April 2010. http://www.gpoaccess.gov/index.html.*
a. Scope: This source is provided by the Government Printing Office, which “disseminates official information from all three branches of the Federal Government.” It gives access to legislative, executive, and judicial documents, including Congressional bills and records, conference reports, public and private laws, United States law code, the code of federal regulations, the federal register, presidential materials, and Supreme Court documents. It also has a catalog of government publications and links to other government resources.
b. Currency: This website catalogs government documents from 1994 to the present. It is updated regularly as new documents are published.
c. Accuracy/Authority: This website is maintained by the federal government; therefore, information on this website is the official and government-authorized. The GPO works with the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) to “provide for the permanent preservation and access to the online versions of the Congressional Record, the Federal Register, the Code of Federal Regulations, and other appropriate publications.”
d. Format: The homepage is arranged in three columns of links to various kinds of information. Along the top of the homepage, there are links for an alphabetical list of resources, a federal depository library directory, buying publications, help, and information about the GPO. There is a search field in the middle of the page which searches a catalog of government publications by keyword, title, author, or subject. A keyword search for “wildlife” yielded over 8,000 results.
e. Entries: The first result in my “wildlife” search was a report titled “Bank erosion, mass wasting, water clarity, bathymetry, and a sediment budget along the dam-regulated lower Roanoke River, North Carolina.” When I clicked on it, a brief explanation, bibliographic information, and a web link came up. I clicked on the web link to bring me to the actual document, which was in PDF format.
f. Features: One interesting feature of this website is a section called “Ben’s Guide to U.S. Government,” which provides educational information and materials to K-12 students, teachers, and parents.
g. Overall: This site contains a wealth of information; it is an important research tool in the fields of law, legislation, and government.


Additional References for Government Sources

“About CCH.” CCH.Com. 2010. 11 April 2010. .

“American Statistics Index.” Pickler Memorial Library: Truman State University. 2010. 11 April 2010. .

“CIS Index.” Worldcat.org. 2010. 11 April 2010. .

“Congressional Index.” CCH.com. 2010. 11 April 2010. .

“Congressional Information Service.” LexisNexis. 2010. 11 April 2010. .