World Book Online Reference Center by World Book
World Book Inc. (2013).  Reference Center.   Retrieved from http://www.worldbookonline.com/pl/referencecenter/home
Access through the library website and enter your library card number.

Plot Summary
World Book Online Reference Center fits simple research needs.  There are research tools including a dictionary, primary sources link, pathfinders, e-books, and a login to save and view previously viewed research.  There are also current event articles from Reuters and PBS from the United States and international events.  Also includes how to cite in MLA, APA, and Harvard styles.  The interactive map is powered by Google, and allows you to zoom and see the land terrain, drag the area to other parts of the country and world, and click on cities to find out more information.  World Book also includes maps, tables, and multimedia of the world.  There is also information on Life Skills such as beginning your life in the working world, setting up your first home, taking care of finances, and manners for eating in and dining out.  The computer basics information might seem too simplistic for technology savvy teens, but there is useful information about internet safety, using internet sources, and various social and internet media available.  One of the other tabs includes information for teachers on how to teach students to conduct research.  However, students reading it would also benefit.  Of course, World Book also acts a typical online encyclopedia where search terms are entered and article entries returned.  All articles also include citations.

Critical Evaluation
The home page contains a wealth of information but the graphics and boxes nicely separate the text into manageable chunks. The multi-colored boxes and graphics are in subtle shades, not garish and bright, and lend a serious, scholarly tone to the page. The search box is easy to locate at the left top. Students may type their word into the search box and select text, keyword or images. When the text appears it is divided into three categories: encyclopedia, e-books, and primary sources. With the current emphasis on primary sources, this is a good idea. The e-book section is a disappointment as it contains old books which are in the public domain. Newer, more exciting nonfiction books are excluded. The page is divided into boxes and appears crisp and clean. Along side the article are further links to books, web sites and magazine articles. The home page contains links to news articles by reputable news agencies – Reuters and PBS – which includes true news, not celebrity gossip.
The link to government sources is divided into California and United Sates internet sources. The page links to 44 California and 93 U.S .government sponsored web sites. This would be very useful for a student searching for a specific agency.  The Computer tutorials and Life Skills link would be little used. It seems unlikely young adults would look in an encyclopedia for this information. They would “google” it.  Overall, this is a comprehensive, intuitive database for teens and would ably assist with their research needs.

Reader’s Annotation
An online version of World Book Encyclopedia that also includes tutorials, interactive media, and citation help.

About the Publisher
World Book was established in 1917 and is based in Chicago, Illinois.  Unlike some other encyclopedias, World Book provides materials for both children and adults in different formats.  World Book includes print and online encyclopedias for schools, libraries, and personal homes.  The World Book Encyclopedia continues to be a popular seller as well as World Book Web. 

World Book is owned by The Scott Fetzer Company.  Scott Fetzer was founded by George Scott and Carl Fetzer in 1914 in Cleveland, Ohio as a machine shop.  They were best known for the Kirby vacuum cleaner until they began expanding and acquiring other businesses in the 1960s. 

Genre
Non-fiction Reference

Curriculum Ties
All subject and content areas

Booktalking
N/A

Reading Level/Interest Level
RL: N/A
IL:  6th grade and up

Challenge Issues
I do not foresee any possible challenges, unless it is for individual articles.

In my defense file, I would include the following:
1) Library Mission Statement
2) Library Selection Policy approved by any or all of the following individuals—principal, school board, district librarian OR library manager, city council, mayor.
3) Library Bill of Rights adapted from CSLA Bill of Rights, AASL Bill of Rights and/or ALA Bill of Rights
4) Reviews, both positive and critical, from respected sources such as School Library Journal, VOYA, Booklist
5) Rationale for database inclusion for titles anticipated to be controversial, frequently challenged, or created when an article is challenged including: summary, audience, purpose, controversial issues and how they are handled
6) How the database/article fits within Common Core Standards or State Standards
7) Reconsideration form for challenger to complete—include a section asking which part was of particular concern, if the entire database as a whole was considered, and what other similar titles are suggested instead
8) Student reviews from those who have used the database and either enjoyed or disliked using the database and why.

Why Included
World Book is a respected encyclopedia that is more approachable to teens.  The online version is available with a library card, and is very colorful with solid content matter.

Others in the Series
World Book Online Student
World Book Online Kids

References

The Kirby Company.  (2013).  Home. Retrieved from http://www.scottfetzer.com/
World Book. (2013).  About World Book, Inc.  Retrieved from http://www.worldbook.com/world-book-corporate/about-world-book

NoveList Database powered by EBSCOhost
Retrieved from:  http://web.ebscohost.com/novelist/search?sid=b295d0bc-2c66-4395-91b8-9c7dde170afc%40sessionmgr198&vid=15&hid=121
Access through the library website and enter your library card number.

Plot Summary
NoveList helps you find books similar to ones you have already read.  The search box allows you to enter a title, author, and/or series and a list of books with your search criteria are returned.  Then, a description of the book follows along with bibliographic information and reviews.  On the right is a checklist of search options including genre, storyline, pace, tone, writing style, subject, and location.  After making your selections, the search will return more books that fit your criteria.  If you do not want to search for more titles, there are nine read-alikes NoveList already provides.   The homepage also includes recommended reading lists for teens by genre along with a “if you like” selection.  This “if you like” lists 30 popular books of all genres and then will show another 30 for each title listed.  The search also allows you to enter key terms such as “fantasy female knights” and includes books with those elements.  Results can also be narrowed by the same search option checklists noted previously.  The advanced search includes lexile level, grade level from babies to adult, number of pages, author’s nationality, and Dewey range.

Critical Evaluation
Although there is no substitute for a well-read librarian who stays aware of old and new publications, Novelist, a database of fiction books, is a helpful tool in readers’ advisory.  This database provides basic searches by author, title, or series, but can also be used for more advanced searches. The Advance Search page offers many options which librarians may find helpful, but may confuse patrons.  A purple box in the upper right hand corner offers “How to use Novelist” which features many webinars and tutorials.  Again,the librarian may find this helpful but not the average patron who just wants a book to read.  The different search options by pace, subject, character, and setting are useful, but may become overly complicated or overwhelming for a new user. 

Reader’s Annotation
Have you ever read a book you’ve loved and wanted to find more just like it?  NoveList makes it easy!

About the Publisher
EBSCO Publishing is a huge presence in the library and research world.  It provides more than 375 full-text and secondary research databases as well as more than 300,000 ebooks and audiobooks.  Print books are available through Salem Press.  EBSCO’s services are purchased by tens of thousands of customers who provide access to millions of users from all ages and academic backgrounds.  EBSCOhost can receive 100 million page views per day and is one of most used sites requiring a paid subscription.  There are also specific and specialize reference tools such as DynaMed, specifically for those in healthcare professions and clinical work.  EBSCO aims to provide a variety of services to libraries to better meet the needs of a diverse body of patrons, as well as academic, government, corporate, and medical researchers. 

Outside the databases, EBSCO has other products for use by libraries and other institutions.  EBSCOhost provides an OPAC that combines EBSCO search technology and library interfaces to the front of the online catalog.  It also provides workflow integration options so organizations can incorporate other electronic resources with their existing workflow.  EBSCO Discovery Services makes an institution’s resources searchable in one customizable search. 

Genre
Non-fiction Reference

Curriculum Ties
Could be used to find books for all subject and content areas

Booktalking
N/A

Reading Level/Interest Level
RL: Varies
IL: 8th grade and up

Challenge Issues
I do not foresee any possible challenges, unless a book suggestion is controversial.

In my defense file, I would include the following:
1) Library Mission Statement
2) Library Selection Policy approved by any or all of the following individuals—principal, school board, district librarian OR library manager, city council, mayor.
3) Library Bill of Rights adapted from CSLA Bill of Rights, AASL Bill of Rights and/or ALA Bill of Rights
4) Reviews, both positive and critical, from respected sources such as School Library Journal, VOYA, Booklist
5) Rationale for book inclusion for titles anticipated to be controversial, frequently challenged, or created when a book is challenged including: summary, audience, purpose, controversial issues and how they are handled
6) How the book fits within Common Core Standards or State Standards
7) Reconsideration form for challenger to complete—include a section asking which part was of particular concern, if the entire book was read, and what other similar titles are suggested instead
8) Student reviews from those who have read the book and either enjoyed or disliked the book and why.

Why Included
I have never used NoveList, but think it’s a great idea.  I am never short on books to read, but for a particular student, this could be a very helpful resource. 

Others in the Series
N/A

References
EBSCO Industries, Inc. (2012). About us. Retrieved from http://www.ebscohost.com/about-us
EBSCO Industries, Inc. (2013). NoveList. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com/novelist/search?sid=b295d0bc-2c66-4395-91b8-9c7dde170afc%40sessionmgr198&vid=15&hid=121

EBSCOhost Full Text Magazine Index
Retrieved from: http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/search/basic?sid=62eb2da4-7c56-4ef7-94bb-cd11c5289e87%40sessionmgr113&vid=1&hid=121

Plot Summary
EBSCOhost includes over 1,210 full text articles from a number of periodicals including general reference, business, consumer health, general science, and multi-cultural.  These full text articles are from January 1990 to the current issues.  Another 2,760 periodicals have abstracts and indexing available.  These are available from January 1984.  Daily updates ensure patrons have access to the most recent information.  This library includes access to MasterFILE Elite database.  The advanced search allows twelve search rows including searches for author, all text, title, and subject, as well as AND/OR/NOT.  Search options also include peer reviewed, published date ranges, full text, and type of document.  A search for “teen literature” AND “controversial” returns 25 articles from book recommendations, censorship issues, and an article from Teen People about your zodiac sign and personal style.  Articles provided may be more current than the available books in a library, and the peer-reviewed option includes professionally researched material.  There are also predetermined subject term searches such as TEENAGERS & adults, TEEANGERS & death, and TEENAGERS & peace.  The dictionary is from the New Oxford American Dictionary. 
   
Critical Evaluation

This database is not intuitive and most student users will have difficulty navigating it.  The opening page is stark with a white background and green print. The search box is easily located but it is not clear whether to search by keyword, magazine article, or magazine name. Other databases, such as library OPACs, allow users to indicate their search for author, title, etc. When typing in the word “sports” a list of 10 suggested subjects beginning with the word “sports” appears. If none is selected, the results are displayed. In the case of the word “sports”, more than 200,000 results are listed. This amount is overwhelming for teen searchers who don’t know how to narrow and fine tune their searches.  Searches may be narrowed by using the limiters below the search box but few students will know what “Boolean” means and will need guidance in using other limiters.  Different searches may be selected: Basic, Advanced or Visual. The title “visual search” is misleading because no graphics or illustrations are used but this type of search was the most helpful because the results are grouped by subject and category and can be narrowed with just a click. Raather than reading the fine print of a Basic search entry, the subject is labeled in large print. The type of search works like a graphic organizer.  This database contains an immense amount of documents, articles, etc.  but many users will find their searches fruitless unless they receive instruction on database usage.

Reader’s Annotation
Need more scholarly information for your latest research assignment? Look no further than EBSCOhost.

About the Publisher
EBSCO Publishing is a huge presence in the library and research world.  It provides more than 375 full-text and secondary research databases as well as more than 300,000 ebooks and audiobooks.  Print books are available through Salem Press.  EBSCO’s services are purchased by tens of thousands of customers who provide access to millions of users from all ages and academic backgrounds.  EBSCOhost can receive 100 million page views per day and is one of most used sites requiring a paid subscription.  There are also specific and specialize reference tools such as DynaMed, specifically for those in healthcare professions and clinical work.  EBSCO aims to provide a variety of services to libraries to better meet the needs of a diverse body of patrons, as well as academic, government, corporate, and medical researchers. 

Outside the databases, EBSCO has other products for use by libraries and other institutions.  EBSCOhost provides an OPAC that combines EBSCO search technology and library interfaces to the front of the online catalog.  It also provides workflow integration options so organizations can incorporate other electronic resources with their existing workflow.  EBSCO Discovery Services makes an institution’s resources searchable in one customizable search. 

Genre
Non-fiction Reference

Curriculum Ties
All subject and content areas

Booktalking
N/A

Reading Level/Interest Level
RL: Varies
IL: 8th grade and up

Challenge Issues
I do not foresee any challenge issues, unless it is for individual articles.

n my defense file, I would include the following:
1) Library Mission Statement
2) Library Selection Policy approved by any or all of the following individuals—principal, school board, district librarian OR library manager, city council, mayor.
3) Library Bill of Rights adapted from CSLA Bill of Rights, AASL Bill of Rights and/or ALA Bill of Rights
4) Reviews, both positive and critical, from respected sources such as School Library Journal, VOYA, Booklist
5) Rationale for database inclusion for titles anticipated to be controversial, frequently challenged, or created when an article is challenged including: summary, audience, purpose, controversial issues and how they are handled
6) How the database/article fits within Common Core Standards or State Standards
7) Reconsideration form for challenger to complete—include a section asking which part was of particular concern, if the entire database as a whole was considered, and what other similar titles are suggested instead
8) Student reviews from those who have used the database and either enjoyed or disliked using the database and why.

Why Included
EBSCO is a respected database that is useful for high school research.  The online version is available with a library card, and is very colorful with solid content matter.

Others in the Series
Other EBSCO products exist

References
EBSCO Industries, Inc. (2012). About us. Retrieved from http://www.ebscohost.com/about-us