After taking the time to explore the various indexes, abstracts, databases, bibliographies, biographies, directories, encyclopedias, thesauri, fact books, almanacs, and yearbooks suggested through this course, I now see that there are many excellent research resources available to teacher-librarians, students and teachers. There truly is an overwhelming multitude of print, non-print, and electronic information resources. Choosing appropriate reference resources is a task that takes time and effort on the part of the school’s teacher-librarian. They would need to take the time to review the content of these types of resources and to decide which resources are a good fit for the school while considering the needs of the students and teachers. Reidling states the following:
“The selection of resources for a school media center situation depends on the needs – both known and anticipated – of the school, community, and student population served. Meeting curriculum needs is a major criterion for placing items in the media center collection. One of the most important tasks of a school librarian is to help students and teachers find the best materials available – in all formats – to support teaching and learning.” (Riedling, 2013, p. 32, 18)
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Reidling also offers useful tools to assist school librarians in evaluating reference resources. These tools allow the TL to ensure that reference resources meet the students’ and teachers’ informational needs. She suggests using the following evaluation tools and criteria:
Content Scope, Accuracy, Authority and Bias, Arrangement and Presentation, Relation to Similar Works, Timeliness, and Permanence, Accessibility and Diversity, and Cost. (Reidling, 2013, p. 22, 23)
The school division I am currently working with subscribes to the EBSCO databases. Based on Reidling’s criteria, EBSCO databases are a good choice. Sources are current and accurate. The subscription includes a multitude of databases covering a wide range of topics. Our current subscription includes 11 databases; Explora Canada, EBSCOhost Databases- Science and Literary Research, Explora Primary Middle, Canadian Points of View – Understanding Current Affairs, Canadian Reference Center, Canadian Literary center – Professional Development Collection, Science Reference Center, EBSCO Host, Consumer Health Complete, Explora Educator’s Edition and History Reference Center.
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Each database provides links, images, videos, articles, and other resources. The only difficulty with the databases is that finding the information the students are looking for can be like finding a needle in a haystack. Using these databases offers an excellent opportunity for the TL to teach research skills such as how to narrow down the search by using specific words, choosing specific publication dates, by choosing only Canadian search results or by selecting only information from magazines. As for younger students, EBSCO offers Explora Primary Middle. This database is easy to read and navigate, offers read-aloud, create a note, create a citation and other useful tools.
https://www.ebsco.com/products/ebscohost-platform
Another great database for biographies is the online resource Dictionary of Canadian Biography. This website allows the user to search by region of birth, the region of activity, the region of activities and other features and by character’s name A – Z. The site provides images, timelines, and articles. This database is very easy to use and would be appropriate for students in middles school based on the reading level and content. This is a free database.
DK offers an interesting online encyclopedia for kids. The encyclopedia comes in the form of an e-book. Throughout the book, there are special keywords and features that, when clicked upon, lead the students to images, articles, streaming videos, and other online information. This type of format would be very appropriate for younger students who are learning how to search for relevant information. The keywords are already chosen for the students and they lead the student to specific information on safe websites. The e-book retails for CA $19.99.
https://www.dk.com/ca/book/9780756673734-online-encyclopedia/
image by DK.com
Another worthy online database is Britannica Kids. The website offers information at various reading levels, it is accessible across all mobile devices, it has 100 000 articles updated regularly, offers a text-to-speech option, articles, images, videos, an interactive world atlas and access to multiple types of dictionaries. There are three search windows on the main page organized by grade and the information is categorized by removing the guesswork in narrowing down a search. This database is appropriate for all students.
The LLC is a learning hub for all members of the school community. All members throughout various age groups can expect that the library is equipped with the tools needed to efficiently seek needed information. Teacher-librarians have a large collection of databases from which to choose. Using specific criteria and by investigating reference resources, and by making choices based on the needs of the students, they will be able to create a virtual and physical space for optimal learning.
Riedling, Ann Marlow, et al. “Reference and the School Library: An Overview.” Reference Skills for the School Library: Tools and Tips, 3rd ed., 2013.