1. Libr 210 – Chapter 17: Selecting & Evaluating Reference Materials, Part 1
http://ch17selectingevaluatingreferencematerials.yolasite.com/
by Tamara Carr
Evaluating Reference Materials
A reference collection is used to find factual answers to questions and the collections. The following are a few
points to consider when evaluating reference materials:
• Scope or purpose • Material arrangement
• Content Quality • Electronic resources ease of use
• Content Accuracy • Format choices: Print vs. Electronic
• Currency • Appropriateness to audience needs
• Authority of author and/or publisher • Cost
Recommendations for Reference Material Reviews
• Booklist’s Reference Books Bulletin (http://www.booklistonline.com) -
o Contains reviews of recommended library materials for adults, young adults and children
• Reference & User Services Quarterly (http://www.rusq.org) -
o Aimed at reference librarians, information specialists, and user-oriented library service personnel
• Library Journal (http://www.libraryjournal.com) -
o “Reference” section, “eReviews,” “E-Reference Ratings,” and “Reference Bestsellers”
• School Library Journal (http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/) -
o “Reference Reviews”: reviews by librarians “working with children or young adults”
• CHOICE: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries (http://www.cro2.org) -
• ARBA (American Reference Books Annual) & ARBAonline (http://www.arbaonline.com/) -
Recommendations from Committees & Publication
• Outstanding Reference Sources -
o Print reference sources evaluated for small to medium-sized academic and public libraries
• Best Reference Sources -
o Annually compiled by Library Journal
• Gale site (www.gale.cengage.com/reference/) -
o Péter's Digital Reference Shelf : monthly reviews of online product or service
o Lawrence Looks at Books: public and academic reference resources
o Reference Unbound: evaluation of K-12 online and print resources
o Doug's Student Reference Room: print and online resources for k-12
o Gale Reference Reviews Archive
Retrospective Guides
• Guide to Reference (http://www.guidetoreference.org/HomePage.aspx) -
o Organized by academic discipline for reference sources
• The New Walford Guide to Reference Resources -
o For reference librarians and scholars in academic, public, or special library settings
• Recommended Reference Books for Small & Medium-Sized Libraries and Media Centers -
o Reviews of print, CD-ROM, and online reference sources
• Reference Sources for Small and Medium-Size Libraries
• Guide to Reference Materials for School Library Media Centers