As we do not subscribe to a database within the district, I decided to evaluate the online encyclopedia students may use through the Public Library
Resource: Columbia Encyclopedia
Format: online at the Gibsons Public Library through the Student Research Center
Scope: the encyclopedia notes it is the largest one volume encyclopedia database unmatched in scope and reputation for accuracy and authority. It contains 51,000 entries on a vast range of topics including current hot topics, updated geographical political and statistical information. It has 84.000 cross-reference links for the most complete and up to date encyclopedia ever produced. The database uses entries from the Columbia Encyclopedia the Canadian Reference Centre which includes Canadian, American and Uk periodicals, full text reference books and biographies and over 550,000 photos, maps and flogs. The middle search plus database provides full text to 140 popular middle school magazines with lexiles indicators.
Emphasis: List of search topics indicate it covers arts&media, business, careers,health math,history, science, technology, sports social studies, english and language arts as well as current issues
Authority: Articles from the encyclopedia use over 200 editors and academic advisors. Articles from the encyclopedia cite where the information was taken from and the year of publication and author. The magazine, newspapers, radio and tv news transcripts are signed and cited for reference.
Style: the style of writing is for upper intermediate students to adult as articles are taken from many periodicals and newspapers. They do have a lexile scale at the bottom of the search page to limit your results but I found it didn’t affect my results.
Recency: The online encyclopedia is updated daily. The periodicals have up to date articles on the Chile earthquake, mostly from new outlets and periodicals.
Viewpoint and Objectivity: I typed in First Nations and found a variety of articles on Canadian First Nations issues. When typing in native people history and geography as well as articles on stereotypes resulted pointing to an objective view.
Arrangement and Entry: search is by subject topic, which you can break down into subtonic, or you can do keyword or boolean search. When the each come up I really like that the result list indicated where the results came from such a magazines, biographies, newspapers etc.
Index: subject is broken down into subtopics and then you can type in your search within the subtonic
Format: There are illustrations and photos but I found I did not have access to all the photos that were included especially in the html full text. You can enlarge the font by highlighting and zooming in. A dictionary is available to look up unfamiliar words.
Cost: free use with library card or you can go to free site encyclopedia .com which uses columbia encyclopedia entries.
Evaluation: I found that I would not really use this encyclopedia with elementary students as the reading is at a fairly high level. The graphics are not strong as most searches come up as html full text and photos are not seem. I think it is fine for everyday need of info as I can get articles from various media sources. but I would not honestly pay for this encyclopedia as it does not appeal to me and definitely wouldn’t appeal to students.
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