2018 School Spending Survey Report
Digital Encyclopedias
SLJ's 2002 Ratings
Digital Encyclopedias keep getting better and better. The latest online, CD-ROM, and DVD editions are excellent resources for obtaining quick answers to reference questions, helpful information for research projects, and a wealth of related materials and useful tools.
But with so many to choose from, which are the best? To answer that question, our team of five educators-two library media specialists, a public librarian, a community college librarian, and a bilingual, Spanish-English teacher-closely examined 12 digital encyclopedias created for elementary-, middle-, and high-school students, and Spanish-speaking students. Our evaluation focused on five essential components: the quantity of articles, ease of use, special features, reading level, and details, such as how often an edition is updated. To assess content quality, we searched for those encyclopedias that best reflect curriculum needs and a diverse range of current interests. Then we applied the same search techniques to the following subjects: elections, Osama bin Laden, Amelia Earhart, biomes, diabetes, bald eagles, and sharks, as well as issues such as tolerance and global warming, and often-studied countries like India and Colombia.
We discovered some distinct differences between the various digital formats. Given recent advances in technology, DVD encyclopedias now offer on a single disk the multimedia advantages of CD-ROM editions with multiple disks. Meanwhile, CD-ROM encyclopedias often offer more multimedia features than their online counterparts. Of course CD-ROM editions may require loading as many as four disks, one disk at a time, before you find your desired information. For that reason, we think CD-ROM encyclopedias are more appropriate for home use rather than school library use. Still, CD-ROM and DVD encyclopedias both provide valuable content coupled with dynamic multimedia features and timely information. Their reasonable prices also make them a viable solution for some schools. On the other hand, online versions have the added advantage of linking to Web sites that offer current articles and supplementary materials. And students with remote access to the Internet can tap into the library's online encyclopedias outside of school hours.
Ultimately, choosing the best encyclopedia depends on your curriculum requirements, budget, and students' needs. Prices vary considerably and school districts often negotiate special rates based on the size of their student bodies, membership in a consortium, and prenegotiated agreements with various vendors. Different packages also affect the price.
Our Recommendations
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Our clear favorite is the World Book Encyclopedia Online, which is suitable for all grade levels. Especially praiseworthy is World Book's consistency and quality of articles, organization of information, ease of use, timeliness in providing current information, and the usefulness of its additional resources. Moreover, World Book Online has the potential for almost limitless access through classroom computers, libraries, and homes.
If your budget allows for the purchase of a second encyclopedia, elementary schools would do well with the New Book of Knowledge, which offers young students a broad overview of appropriate topics with additional resources that are designed to make learning fun. It also features a colorful, relatively simple interface that's bound to appeal to young tastes.
A second option for both middle- and high-school students is the Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia. Grolier's Multimedia Encyclopedia is part of a suite of databases--all of which are searchable globally--which comprise the Grolier Online product. Closely comparable to World Book, Grolier, now an imprint of Scholastic Library Publishing, offers pertinent, well-written articles that are well organized and up-to-date. It's a suitable resource for introducing topics and presenting background information. A standout feature of this resource is that its text links directly to related information through cross-references.
For a summary of each encyclopedia that we reviewed, see 'A Comparative Guide to Encyclopedias.' For our overall ratings, turn to 'Rating the Digital Encyclopedias.' Computer system requirements for CD-ROM and DVD editions are included with our reviews.
| Content/Number of Articles The Britannica Online School Edition consists of three encyclopedias: Encyclopædia Britannica, Britannica Student Encyclopedia, and Britannica Elementary Encyclopedia. Search results are displayed for all three unless a particular edition is specified by the user. At the bottom of each display frame, an icon may be clicked to access additional articles related to your search, but the total number of articles and Web sites found is not indicated in the frame. An Encyclopædia Britannica search for information on Colombia pulled up a list of articles, as well as a table of contents, flags, and an index that linked to related articles, maps, tables, and yearbooks. The same search in Britannica Student pulled up maps, pictures, and an article outline. As expected, the material was easier to read and less extensive. Finally, the same search in Britannica Elementary resulted in maps, pictures, and a much-easier-to-read article, with clear content headings and links to other relevant articles. Similarly, a search for biomes in the Encyclopædia Britannica offered a number of relevant articles. A search on this subject in Britannica Student resulted in an extensive article with only a short definition. And predictably, there were no articles on biomes in Britannica Elementary. Five magazine articles were provided in all three encyclopedia searches, as well as 10 recommended Web sites with annotations. Ease of Use Each of the three encyclopedia's search pages were clean and easy to use. The search box, located at the center of the screen, allows users to select an encyclopedia. Search results are color coded based on the encyclopedia chosen. An advanced search option, though not easy to use, is located under 'Search Tips.' There are also search options for the index, time lines, and world atlas. Users may also click on any word to link to a glossary, and article-specific citations are also available. Special Features Britannica's home page offers a number of additional features, including teachers' resources with lesson plans and worksheets; student activities; a video browse option to view a variety of clips; 'Britannica Spotlights' with featured topics and related articles; and the 'Year in Review,' which provides an overview of significant events, people, and issues. A dictionary and thesaurus are also included. Details Britannica states that all three encyclopedias are updated four times a year. However, the most recent magazine articles accompanying a search for Colombia were dated July/August 2001. Print and e-mail options are available and easy to locate. Reading/Grade Level The Britannica Online School Edition offers three reading levels: Encyclopædia Britannica is intended for high school through adult; Britannica Student is geared for middle and high school, and Britannica Elementary targets elementary school grades and those who are learning the English language. |
System Requirements Microsoft Windows 98, 2000, Me, XP, NT (with service pack 5 or higher); Pentium 266 MHz, 350 MHz recommended; 128 MB RAM required, 256 MB recommended; 400 MB free hard disk space; CD-ROM drive; 800x600 resolution, 16-bit color; mouse; sound card, speakers, printer, and Internet access recommended. MAC Mac OS 10.1 or higher; iMac or G3 350 MHz or faster; 128 MB RAM required, 256 MB recommended; 400 MB free hard-disk space; CD-ROM drive; 800x600 resolution, millions of colors; mouse; sound card, speakers, printer, and Internet access recommended. Content/Number of Articles As with Britannica Online School Edition, Britannica's DVD and CD-ROM editions also consist of three separate encyclopedias: Encyclopædia Britannica, Britannica Student Encyclopedia, and Britannica Elementary Encyclopedia. Searching for information on bald eagles and Colombia resulted in the same articles offered on the online version. Magazine articles and Web links are displayed by clicking the 'Online Content' button. An atlas, dictionary, and thesaurus are also included. Ease of Use The search screen appears on the upper left-hand corner of the home page. Students may select the encyclopedia they wish to search by clicking on the appropriate tab. Searches may be conducted by using an A-through-Z index or Knowledge Navigator, which allows users to fine tune their searches. Special Features An interactive time line sorts events by year and topic, such as literature, medicine, and religion. Details The latest information is available through the 'Update Center,' and Britannica's online troubleshooting center offers technical support. |
| Content/Number of Articles Like the print version, Encyclopedia Americana's online edition offers high-level, reliable content. The encyclopedia contains 45,000 articles, 1,400 maps and flags, 3,500 images, and more than 1,000 tables. A search for Colombia uncovered 11 links, 10 of which were chapters within a main article, which included a table of contents, maps, the national flag, journal entries that include 1,481 documents, a bibliography, further reading of 25 records from the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC), 50 periodicals from EBSCO, and 29 Web links, as well as links to related articles within the encyclopedia. Each of the 11 links had a different title but the same descriptor: 'the country named for Christopher Columbus, occupies the northwestern corner of South America.' Ease of Use The search screen defaults to title searches, but Boolean operators narrow full-text searching. An explanation is provided under the 'Search Tips' option, and the searcher is directed to 'Search Builder' with pull-down menus. However, to high-level students accustomed to Boolean operators, this appears to be a cumbersome option. An additional search tool at the bottom of the screen links students to all other Grolier products owned by the school or institution. Special Features The encyclopedia has access to OCLC, which is useful for college students or those living near large libraries who need additional print reference materials. Americana also has a text-only option for those who fall under the Americans with Disabilities Act. A tab called 'Academic Online' links to the 155,000 Grolier Internet Index of links to Web sites. On the left of each screen is a category browse panel. Depending on the search, a screen on the right includes additional information such as an index, maps, tables, flags, journal entries, a bibliography, further reading, periodicals, Web links, and related articles. Details Academic American is updated quarterly, and Internet links are updated monthly. Reading/Grade Level Encyclopedia Americana 3.0 online targets higher level high school or college students. |
Content/Number of Articles Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia Online, which is based on the Academic American Encyclopedia, features a variety of enhancements and more than 39,000 articles, 300 tables, 870 maps, 7,100 pictures, and thousands of magazine articles. A search for information on Colombia pulled up 105 related links with brief annotations. The first article on the list featured a table of contents, which, when selected, provided an outline of the article, a fact box with basic demographics, a sound clip of the country's national anthem, as well as a map, national flag, and selected photo images with an option to select more. Buttons to the right of the text link to 50 periodicals, primarily major newsmagazines and newspapers, as well as more than 20 briefly described Web sites. Unfortunately, hyperlinking to a particular Web site results in leaving the encyclopedia's site and the new URL is not revealed. Choosing 'Academic Citation' at the bottom of the article opens an explanatory box, as well as examples citing articles from Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia Online. There's one caveat: searching by selected topics revealed pertinent articles in most cases, although the most relevant article did not always appear at the top of the selection list. For example, a search for the bald eagle failed to turn up specific information about the bird. Instead, the first item to appear on the search list was an article on the 'Great Seal of the United States.' Articles on eagles first appeared in the 22nd of 31 related links-with very little information specifically on bald eagles. Overall, however, content is nicely organized with large, readable fonts, search terms are highlighted, and of particular note are the hyperlinked cross references connecting directly to articles of related interest. Ease of Use The interface is clean and simple, but the persistent use of frames is distracting and limits the amount of viewable text. The search box is easily identified at the top of the screen. An advanced Boolean search option allows users to search for up to three terms and to view either the title or full text of the article. A 'Browse a Category' feature appears in a frame on every screen, providing a broad selection of subject headings with links to subcategories and related articles. Although distracting, the search bar at the bottom of the screen provides Grolier's online subscribers with a valuable feature: the ability to conduct searches in the publisher's other databases. Special Features The home page offers many resources, including news from major news services, special monthly features of interest for students and teachers, links to encyclopedia articles and related resources, and 'Today in History,' which links to the Library of Congress's American Memory Web site. Additional resources include 'Research Starters,' with general and subject-specific tips, and a section called 'Timelines throughout History,' which links to relevant articles and images. There are also a variety of English and Spanish dictionaries by grade level and an atlas. Details As with other Grolier online products, in order to subscribe to this encyclopedia, users must also subscribe to at least one other online Grolier product. An e-mail invitation to sign up for monthly updates appears at the top of the screen. Reading/Grade Level The recommended audience is elementary through adult. |
| <2002 Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia-Deluxe 2-CD Edition'>2002 Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia-Deluxe 2-CD Edition System requirements Microsoft Windows 95, 98, 2000, Me, XP, NT 4.0 or later; Pentium 100 MHz or faster; 16 MB of memory, 32 MB recommended; 25 MB free hard disk space minimal, 185 MB optimal; 2X CD-ROM drive; 16-bit color, 640x480 resolution; Apple QuickTime 4.0 or higher; Direct X version 3.0; mouse; 16-bit stereo Sound Blaster compatible card and speakers; printer optional; optional online requirements. Content/Number of Articles The content on the CD edition is almost identical to the online version. There are more than 38,700 articles, 15,500 images, 200 videos, 150 panorama views, and 700 sound clips. Ease of Use The screen, organized by toolbars and a frame offering selection options, looks cluttered. Buttons at the top of the screen display a number of search options, including browsing or searching by topic. Advanced search options are similar to the online encyclopedia, where users can narrow searches to a specific medium. Special Features Media options and time lines are featured. A research center provides tips on report writing, as well as access to the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language and Roget II: The New Thesaurus. Details Since the CD edition is updated monthly through Grolier's Web site, new articles and Web links are readily available. Accessing images and articles on Grolier's CD edition is a little slower than pulling them up online. Print, copy, and save options are provided, and users can add others to a handy toolbar. |
| System Requirements Windows Multimedia PC with a Pentium 233 MHz, (300 MHz recommended); Microsoft Windows 98, 2000 Professional, Windows Me, XP; 64 MB of RAM for Windows 98 or Me; 128 MB for Windows 2000 Professional or XP. Up to 375 MB of available hard-drive space; DVD-ROM drive; Super VGA, 16-bit or higher monitor supporting 800x600 screen resolution; 1 MB or more of video memory; mouse; 16-bit sound card with speakers or headphones; some features require an Internet connection. Content/Number of Articles Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia Reference Library 2003 has one DVD that includes 69,300 articles, 26,050 photos and illustrations, 395 videos and animations, 3,300 sound and music clips, 30,500 editor-selected Web links, and 1.8 million map locations. The home page provides access to articles, multimedia and online features, maps and interactive media. As this is a Microsoft product, the Web browser is built in, and there is no need to open additional programs. A search for information on India provided a very lengthy article. An outline of the article remains visible while users continue to scroll and read. Other related articles, maps, a multimedia center, Web sites, facts and figures, and news are available within the article's page. Similarly, a search for Colombia included information on the newly elected president in May 2002, as well as a detailed map of the country. The search found 14 Web sites, 10 of which were classified as the 'Editor's Pick.' The results included links to periodicals, along with information on reading levels. A search for articles on Osama bin Laden was current and detailed with a picture and a Web link to an MSNBC story. Related articles were also listed. A search of Amelia Earhart uncovered links to primary sources from 1937, as well as a 268-word article by an anonymous 12th grader that could easily be read by a sixth grader. There were three Web links, one with a Spanish option. Two expired links remained on the site. Relevant information was available in all topics and was easily identified. Ease of Use The contents page offered direct access to articles and other multimedia presentations, but it was difficult to return there from the Web section. Special Features Article updates appear at the top of the screen. And there are features to please your senses: close-captioned videos can be switched on or off, and the 3-D virtual tour transports users to the desert to view the biome's flora and fauna. One can even visit the Roman Coliseum and view its various levels. Encarta includes four translation dictionaries in Spanish, French, German, and Italian. The Encarta Book of Quotations is another feature. Details Online, print, and e-mail updates are available through October 2003, but one must register with Microsoft to receive them. Though this product is significantly rich in multimedia features, it's amazingly easy to load. |
| Content/Number of Articles. This encyclopedia contains 9,000 articles, significantly fewer than other online encyclopedias, and because the text is displayed in a very large font, it's suitable for elementary school students. New Book of Knowledge (NBK) includes 4,000 color photographs and works of art, more than 600 maps, 254 flags, 150 tables, and 575 fact boxes. A search for information on India pulled up a list of 394 related documents; however, the most relevant article appeared third in the list. The article provided a button for 'Facts At a Glance' and related NBK news articles, maps, flags, photos, and links to the table of contents and further readings. The search term is highlighted throughout the text and, as in the Grolier edition, useful cross references to related articles are hyperlinked. The text is clearly organized and simply written. Ease of Use The colorful home page, though text- and graphics-heavy, has an easy-to-locate search box at the top of the screen. Advanced searching, as in the Grolier Multimedia, allows users to specify up to three terms and uses Boolean operators. There's also an option to limit searches to titles or full text, NBK news, or encyclopedia images. There's also a search option that lets users browse articles alphabetically or by subject. Special Features There are a variety of interesting features including 'Wonder Questions,' which provides intriguing questions and answers; 'Literary Selections'; 'Projects and Experiments'; 'World History Time Line'; 'Bibliographies'; 'Teacher Resources'; and 'Homework Help,' which offers tutorials on how to study, write, and conduct research. 'News Scoop' features a series of current event articles along with a fact sheet, lesson plan, images, and more. 'Spotlight' features a multimedia presentation on a single topic, and 'Web Feat' provides games, puzzles, and quizzes. Details Main articles are updated quarterly, links are updated monthly, and the 'New Book of Knowledge News' is updated weekly. There's also an option to receive the encyclopedia's updates in print or by e-mail. The 'Home' button, located at the top of the page, is easily accessible. Reading/Grade Level The intended audience is grades three and up. |
Content/Number of Articles World Book Encyclopedia Online American Edition offers the rich and reliable content we have come to expect from this resource-and so much more. This version provides every article available in the 22-volume print set, plus thousands more-over 9,500 pictures and maps, more than 800 videos, animations and sounds; and over 100 3-D Bubble Views. An international edition offers a global perspective through articles about other English speaking countries. Another available online collection, World Book Research Libraries, is a primary source collection of more than 4,500 complete books and 175,000 documents. It's updated monthly. Searching for information on Colombia pulled up 49 related articles, with the pertinent country article appearing at the top of the list. Simple one-sentence descriptions of each article help students select those that best suit their needs. Other results appear simultaneously, including those items available in other formats such as articles, atlases, tables, sounds, pictures, and articles of historical significance from previous World Book Yearbooks. Each article displays a useful and extensive outline adjacent to the text, which helps students navigate through the content easily. Text and illustrations are nicely arranged with the search term highlighted throughout the text. A map of Colombia, its national flag and coat of arms, as well as a 'Facts in Brief' option appeared at the top of the outline generated by our search. A 'Related Information' box to the right of the text offers articles from other World Book sources, Web sites, magazine articles, and the 'Back in Time' and 'Special Features' sections. There are audio pronunciations of topics and other hard-to-pronounce words, and a right click on any word in the text pulls up a definition. A citation example appears at the end of the article, along with an option to ask for help about using other citation formats. A search for the bald eagle brought up the most pertinent article at the top of a list of 13 related articles. An accompanying outline revealed a subheading for bald eagle and an illustration. All searches in World Book revealed more than one result, and in most cases, many relevant links. In almost every instance the most pertinent article appeared at the top of the list. A respected, well-written encyclopedia with multimedia enhancements and a wealth of additional resources make this a winner. Ease of Use The interface design is clean and easy to navigate. A search box appears near the top of the screen. However, the query box for the dictionary is located just below, which could cause some confusion. A Boolean search using up to three terms can be used with the advanced search option. Users can select options by encyclopedia content-for example, articles, an atlas and tables, different media types including sound, pictures, 3-D Bubble Views, animations and videos. The 'Back in Time' and 'Special Features' section of the encyclopedia provide related information. The browse option invites students to view articles by title or subject. The site navigator at the top of the home page allows users to select from other editions or collections to which they subscribe. Special Features The home page provides a variety of additional resources including 'Today in History,' which links to related articles in the encyclopedia. 'Behind the Headlines' offers information on current and ongoing events with related links to World Book articles and Web sites. There's also 'What's Happening This Month Around the World' and a 'Feature of the Month,' with a special focus on a particular topic of interest. In addition, 'Surf the Ages' simulates Web sites as they might have appeared had the World Wide Web existed throughout history. Finally, a 'What's New' section provides monthly updated articles, revisions, and pictures. An atlas, dictionary, and resources for parents, teachers, and students provide lesson plans, professional links for teachers, and research tips for students. Details The home page's 'Subscriber News' offers the latest updates and highlights new features. The home button is easy to view on a tool bar near the top of each page. Print, save, and e-mail options are available for all articles. Reading/Grade Level The publisher recommends this encyclopedia for grades 5 through 12, noting when various topics are introduced in the standard curriculum. |
| System Requirements Microsoft Windows 95, 98, 2000, Me, NT 4.0; Pentium-based PC; 16 MB RAM (minimum), 32 MB (recommended); 40 MB free hard-disk space; CD-ROM drive (double speed or faster); 16-bit color; 16-bit sound card; mouse. Content/Number of Articles World Book Deluxe Edition Encyclopedia contains articles from the print version, as well as thousands of additional articles, more than 9,400 pictures and illustrations, two hours of video and animation; more than 700 CD quality sounds and 360 views, all in a two CD-ROM set. A search for Colombia brought up the pertinent country article and a box adjacent to the text, and 10 corresponding articles of interest also appeared. From the main article, users can choose an article outline and other related topics. The CD-ROM lists additional pertinent articles, and related information. Multimedia features such as pictures, sound, and video are listed in the outline and are provided throughout the text. The article outline allows users to select and go directly to a particular section of the article. A map of Colombia, brief facts, a national flag, and coat of arms are all available in the outline. The content, however, is not as lengthy or in-depth as the online version, nor is the outline as extensive, but all the essential information is included. A bald eagle search reveals the same article as offered in the online version and an 'Article Media' icon (for the eagle) displays the corresponding multimedia information. Four illustrations of the bald eagle found in the online version also appear. Authorship, as well as a list of related print resources, are listed at the end of the article. Ease of Use With icon-driven displays, this version makes it easy for students to navigate and select appropriate features. The topic icon brings users into the encyclopedia and opens the search box. The text on the main page highlights the current month and has links to related articles and events. It also offers simple instructions and tips to guide students through the encyclopedia. The search function provides two options: a keyword search or a three-term Boolean search, which allows users to to choose among various content articles, sounds, pictures, animations, simulations, Bubble Views, and videos. 'Just Looking' allows users to browse the variety of articles by content type, broad subject areas, or each topic alphabetically. Identifiable icons with descriptions and simple text are carefully arranged. Special Features 'Time frame' lets users select a date or range of dates, and retrieve a graphic time line of corresponding events that can be linked to a complete article. There's an atlas, dictionary, and a 'Homework Wizards' button, which is designed to help students with tips on writing reports, creating charts; and making a Web page, time line, and quizzes. The 'Monthly Spotlight' highlights significant historical and current events. Another nice feature is the 'Tool Kit,' which provides 'Post Its,' a highlighter, and a word pad. Details 'What's Online' provides article updates and access to some of the same special features the online version offers, including Web site links, 'Special Reports,' 'Back in Time,' as well as current and ongoing events worldwide. It is easy to navigate and locate information, and the installation time for graphics is rather quick. |
SPANISH-LANGUAGE ENCYCLOPEDIAS
Content/Number of Articles World Book's Enciclopedia Estudiantil Hallazgos en lÃnea, based on the popular 13-volume print set, came online September 3, 2002. It contains more than 2,200 articles with full-color illustrations and maps. An index search, the only search presently available, for Colombia brought up a nice, very basic article about the country, complete with a map, national flag, a data table, related encyclopedia articles, and four Internet links in Spanish. An index search for bioma (biome) resulted in a three paragraph article, complete with citations, and links to specific biome articles in the encyclopedia. There were no Internet links for biome. The search for clima (climate) had a section devoted to el clima cambiante or the changing climate where global warming was discussed. The article included links to related encyclopedia articles and a related Internet page. Ease of Use The index search was well organized and easy to use. Navigating through the sites provided clear, basic information with easy-to-find links to Web sites and additional encyclopedia articles. Special Features At press time, the Enciclopedia had been released less than a week. According to the company, additional features will be added. Details In keeping with an index approach to searching, there are links to the pages before and after a specific article. Reading/Grade Level The Enciclopedia targets elementary and middle grade Spanish-speaking students and English-speaking students learning to speak Spanish. |
| System Requirements Microsoft Windows 95, 98, 2000. 133 MHz, 64 MB RAM, 120 MB hard drive space. Content/Number of Articles Hispanica 2001 on CD contains 90,000 articles that are identical to the print version. The CD edition also includes 5,000 photographs, 2,000 diagrams, maps, flags, and fact sheets. A search for information on Colombia resulted in an index, pictures, graphs, charts, and hyperlinks to articles in the encyclopedia. The search for biome (bioma) resulted in an article on the subject, but no in-text links to types of biomes. The encyclopedia, however, had an extensive article on ecology (ecologÃa), which included subtopics on biomes. Ease of Use The easy-to-use search screen also offers advanced searching options. Once an article appears, there are icons that guide students through the multimedia options and the entire article. Users must familiarize themselves with the icons, as their various meanings are not immediately apparent. Special Features The encyclopedia contains a multilanguage dictionary that gives equivalent terms in Spanish, English, German, French, Italian, and Portuguese. A thesaurus is also included. Details Hispanica installs and runs easily and quickly. The program is published on two CDs: one consists of articles and pictures, the other includes animations, so switching CDs is kept to a minimum. Hispanica was published in Mexico and has a 2001 copyright date. |
Content An expansion of its print version, the online Nueva Enciclopedia Cumbre en lÃnea includes 16,500 Internet links, 150 national anthems, as well as 6,500 cross-reference links, maps, flags, fact boxes, and images. Cumbre specifically focuses its content on Latin American cultures. Searching for information on Colombia pulled up 326 results, each including a brief annotation in Spanish. The pertinent country article appeared at the top of the list and included tables, maps, flags, and photographs. A search for biomes (bioma) produced one limited article without Internet links. The search for bald eagle (aguila calva) gave no information about the bird or Internet links. Three magazine articles contained photographs of bald eagles. Ease of Use The interface design is clean and easy to navigate, and a simple Boolean search screen allows for searching up to three terms. Search terms in Spanish may not always correspond to those in English. For example, searching for the terms for 'global warming,' 'climate change,' and 'greenhouse effect' in Spanish failed to find any articles. Special Features The search page offers an option to query by title or full text. An index search, help screen, and a category search are also available. There is no e-mail option, and articles have no bylines. An English/Spanish dictionary is included. Details Internet links include short annotations in Spanish. However, in the case of the Colombia search, 11 of the 22 links were to English Internet sites and are not especially helpful to students with limited English skills. Reading/Grade Level Both the print and online versions of Cumbre are appropriate for high school and advanced middle school Spanish speakers. |
| Name | Number of Articles | Multimedia | Reading Level | Updates | Format | Price |
| Britannica Online School Edition | 118,000 | 22,000 images 2,000 video clips | All levels | Quarterly | Online | Site license |
| Encyclopædia Britannica 2003 Ultimate Reference Suite | 91,000 | 21,000 images, videos, audio clips, and animated maps | All levels | Quarterly with registration | DVD and CD-ROM | $69.95 |
| Encyclopedia Americana 3.0 | 45,000 | 4,500 images 1,000+ tables 680 fact boxes 270 flags 1,200 maps | Grades 8+ | Quarterly Links: Monthly Americana Journal: Weekly | Online | Site license |
| Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia Online | 39,000 | 7,100 images | All levels | Monthly | Online | Site license |
| 2002 Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia-Deluxe 2-CD Edition | 38,700 | 15,500 images 1,200 maps 700 sounds 200+ videos | Grades 5+ | Monthly | CD | $9.99 per copy (2003 edition is $29.99 per copy) |
| Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia Reference Library 2003 (DVD) | 69,300 | 26,050 images - 395 videos/animations 3,300 sounds/music | All levels | Available with registration | DVD | $74.95 per copy |
| New Book of Knowledge | 9,000 | 4,000 images 629 maps 254 flags150 tables 575 fact boxes | Grades 3+ | Quarterly Links: Monthly News: Weekly | Online | Site license |
| World Book Encyclopedia Online American Edition | Complete print version | 9,500 images and maps 800 videos, animations, and sounds | Grades 5-12 | Quarterly | Online | $1,300 |
| World Book Deluxe Edition Encyclopedia | 21,220 | 9,400 illustrations 1,240 maps 171 videos, animations 700+ sounds | All levels | Latest information available through 'Update Center' | CD-ROM | $28 (Windows) or $74 (Mac OS X) per copy |
| Spanish-Language Encyclopedias | ||||||
| Enciclopedia Estudiantil Hallazgos en lÃnea | 2,200 | Not available | Elementary and middle school | Not available | Online | Not available |
| Hispanica 2001-2 CDs | 90,000 | 6,000 images 2,000 diagrams, maps, flags, and fact sheets | Middle and high school | Not available | CD-ROM | $147 |
| Nueva Enciclopedia Cumbre en lÃnea | 17,000 | 6,500 images 300 maps 150 tables 270 flags 150 sounds | Middle and high school | Triannually Links: Monthly | Online | Site license |
Rating the Digital Encyclopedias
| Name | Content of Use | Ease Feature | Special level | Reading | Details Score | Overall |
| World Book Encyclopedia Online American Edition | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4.8 |
| Microsoft Encarta Reference Library 2003 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4.6 |
| World Book Deluxe Edition Encyclopedia | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4.4 |
| New Book of Knowledge | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4.2 |
| 2002 Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia-Deluxe 2-CD Edition | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4.2 |
| Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia Online | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4.2 |
| Encyclopedia Americana 3.0 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4.0 |
| Britannica Online School Edition | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4.0 |
| Encyclopædia Britannica 2003 Ultimate Reference Suite | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3.8 |
| Spanish-Language Editions | ||||||
| Enciclopedia Estudiantil Hallazgos | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4.0 |
| Hispanica | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3.8 |
| Nueva enciclopedia Cumbre en lÃnea | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3.6 |
| *Ratings are on a scale of one to five. A higher score indicates superior performance and features. | ||||||
| Author Information |
| Cynthia MacDonald is youth services manager for the Fresno County (CA) Public Library. Annie Lokrantz is a library media teacher at the Teague Elementary School in Fresno. Janet Claassen is a library media teacher at Madera (CA) High School. Kenley Neufeld is an instructional services librarian at Fresno City College. Gina Cardenas is enrolled in the library media teacher program at Fresno Pacific University. |
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