Riedling states an almanac is “a resource that provides useful data and statistics related to countries, personalities, events and subjects” (p.125) and notes that when “ a single figure or fact is required, the almanac can be very useful. Students enjoy facts and trivia; therefore almanacs are wonderful sources for browsing as information seeking”(p.38).
I have to agree that students love looking at these types of books- especially boys! Boys seem harder to motivate than girls says but perhaps the reference area is an area that can cultivate curiosity- or already does. I imagine the science and technology reference collection and Almanac’s are well used if children are given the opportunity and time to look at them. Anything with facts and figures, reliable or not, seems to intrigue children. I think having these books is important, maybe it's osmosis that will occur as students flip the pages but the internet is a "go to" place for specific information, students who browse our library shelves for pleasure need choices. Choices that may be accessible online, but also bound with old fashioned page numbers and that musty book smell! At Seaforth the students can check most reference books out which has increased circulation. There is the aspect of damage to consider but that has not been an issue for this school (yet...). I am not sure I have ever consulted a special dictionary, but that is not to say they are not important. I didn't know such things exist and in the school library I evaluated I don't think there were special dictionaries. I would love an animal dictionary for my son, he would enjoy a book specifically on animals with no mumbo jumbo to distract him.
Reading my classmates posts there is a real push to spend time, money and energy on digital/online resources. Perhaps I don’t feel I have the skills to navigate the online revolutions- is there a TL course that covers only online resources- reference, fiction, non fictions, picture books etc.? Perhaps there is an I will be taking it in the future. With them changing so often I imagine a course of that nature would be hard to keep current.
Rielding’s evaluating dictionaries and encyclopedias had some good points. The general evaluative guide Riedling suggests is authority (publisher), format (print- materials, arrangement of text, readability etc. but in addition to print the electronic dictionaries and encyclopedias contain links, maneuverability should be considered, and graphics should be evaluated. Perhaps another section called online sources should be written and additional evaluative tips should be outlined.
One classmates posting stated how her students enjoy using Worldbook online because it was reputable, reliable, and saved time in general because it was a one stop shop. She said they key was teaching them how to use the databases. I agree. Worldbook kids is a great start and I also like National Geographic for kids. My 2 year old is fascinated with the animals and loves to watch my searches. It’s scary but he knows how to click his way to the next screen.
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