Resource Evaluation Project

Audience Description

Visiting Hale Library at Kansas State University in the summer is a lot like the deserted

ghost town scenes of old western movies. The usual hubbub of chatter and keyboard typing is

not heard as the tables, computer kiosks, and library stacks stand empty of students. The

reference desk is mostly barren except for one lone soul who mans the counter on the odd

chance that a patron wants to check out a book. This scenario might seem a little bleak to the

casual observer, but to a librarian it provides a perfect chance to make a closer connection with

the students who do need the library over the summer. Librarians can actually take the time to

walk confused students to their destinations to find a desired book buried deep within the

collection. It also provided me with a chance to browse and observe the library in a changed

setting in order to get a fresh point of view on the library of my alma mater.

With Hale Library housing such a large collection with over 2.3 million volumes and over

800,000 visits each year, it is a vibrant, living part of the K-State community. Visitors to the

library are students, ranging from high school and undergraduate to Ph.D. candidates,

professors as well as members of the surrounding communities. During the school year, the

librarians at Hale have their hands full managing student inquiries and collection maintenance

and development.

One key example of an important department of Hale is their humanities collection. The

Humanities Librarian at Hale library is a key mediator between the students and the library’s

collection. Students of English at K-State find the library a particular source of comfort and

knowledge during their time at the university. These students range in age and ability from the

traditional student straight from high school to the non-traditional adult student and their

abilities and experiences also are a reflection of their unique backgrounds. Their information

needs include in depth scholarly articles on a wide range of literary movements and time

periods. They need a vast amount of resources, both in print and online, in order to complete

poetry analyses, bibliographies, research papers, and book reviews etc... about any topic in the

history of literature. Although English students have a preference for the written word, these

students can be subject to deadline crunches and procrastination as most students are, so they

also enjoy the benefits of the Internet and digital copies of books, academic journals, and

databases that allow for quick access to literary materials. The library’s online catalog is the first

place students check for materials, either print or digital copies. Stack level E is the place to find

books on a range of literature studies. The Book Review Digest, Reader’s Guide to Periodical

Literature, Norton Anthologies of Literature, and the complete works of Shakespeare are just a

few of the references important to the English student.

References

Hale Library. Kansas State University. Accessed July 12, 2010 from http://www.lib.k-

state.edu/geninfo/docs/currentsummarystats.pdf

Collections Development Project

Print Source Evaluation

Dictionary

BIBLIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION:

McGovern, U., ed. (2004). Dictionary of Literary Characters. Edinburgh: Chambers Harrap

Publishers Ltd.

PURPOSE:

For high school age and above for ready reference. For the student and lover of literary studies

for browsing. This volume meets the needs of a brief, quick reference to literary characters,

authors, dates, and literary award winners. As the introduction to the dictionary states, “this

book pins down these many colourful creations in one accessible collection.”

AUTHORITY:

The introductory essays are signed and the special contributors hold such positions as editor of

the Sunday Herald, Head of Education at The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, art features writer

at The Scotsman and Senior Lecturer in Media Communications at Bath Spa University College

in Great Britain.

SCOPE:

Limited by lack of depth and audience: for those who want brief introductions to characters

and their creators. Some fonts in body of volume and introductory essays type is too small print

and may be harder to read for the elderly.

FORMAT:

One not-too-heavy volume; weighs 5 pounds or less; type ranges from large to small. Easy to

read and use.

ARRANGEMENT:

Alphabetical order of character names for ease in finding specific information. Alpha letter

headings are bold and easily found. Literary awards section is chronological. Index is

alphabetical by author.

ENTRIES:

Includes character name, literary work, date and author of the work followed by a brief

description of the nature, actions or plot overview for each character.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

Section for Literary award winners from 1901 to through present scope of the volume. Awards

include Nobel, Pulitzer and Booker prizes for literature and fiction. Also includes alphabetized

index by author with explanation for ease of use.

USE:

Useful in most libraries for ready reference in literature studies. Can answer literary questions

about character descriptions and actions as well as “who created that character?” and “who

wrote that book?” Also provides an update list of literary award winners for ready reference

questions. Students of English literature at K-State University would use this dictionary as a

quick reference guide to literary characters and their actions within a literary work. They could

also use this source as a helpful study guide for exams. This resource would provide a brief

accurate description to cite in a term paper or on a final exam.

CRITIQUE:

I would recommend this book to students or lovers of literature for its ease of use, introductory

essays and scope of information about characters from Beowulf to Bridget Jones. Entries are

brief and other resources would be needed for in depth analysis of the information presented

in this volume.

Bibliography


Sheen, B.A., ed. (2004). English Writers: A Bibliography with Vignettes. New York: Nova Science

Publishers, Inc.

PURPOSE:

For adults, especially literature students of listed authors. To provide easy access to secondary

works about a number of British authors. The preface of the resources states, “this

bibliography…serves as a research guide to fourteen of England’s greatest scribes.

AUTHORITY: Credentials of editor and vignettes author are not given. Due to general medical

science disclaimer in the books first pages, it is possible to question why volume was published

under Nova Science publishers.

SCOPE: Limited audience to those who need brief information, not for in depth biographies of

authors. Limited by amount of authors included. Other resources are needed to locate titles

included in this bibliography.

FORMAT: Print. Lightweight and medium size for ease of use; type is adequate size for all

readers, divided into chapters. Headings are bold and easy to read.

ARRANGEMENT:

Alphabetical title index at the front of book. Entries arranged in alphabetical order by author

and sectioned by chapter headings.

ENTRIES:

Includes complete, accurate bibliographic information for title; name of author, birth year and

death year of author, published works, publication dates, Library of Congress classification,

Dewey classification, related keyword search terms, and in some entries a brief description of

title. Vignettes include brief biography of the author.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

Title index in front, author index for quickly finding information; subject index for browsing and

ease of use.

USE:

For adults of literary studies. Useful for academic libraries and special literary libraries. Can

answer questions such as “I need primary works by a specific author” and “where can I find

secondary works about a specific author” as well as subject specific bibliographic inquiries.

Students of British literature would be able to use this source to find related works for

bibliographies and research papers. The in depth scope of each entry for the authors would

provide access to accurate sources to read and cite in papers and examinations.

CRITIQUE:

I found the lack of author credentials unnerving; extensive, accurate bibliographic information

for included authors. Needs to include more authors to be a must-have source for libraries.

Recommended for literature students but other resources are needed to locate titles in entries,

and to supplement further, in depth inquiries.

Encyclopedia


Serafin, S.R., & Grosvenor-Myer, V. (Eds).(2003). The Continuum Encyclopedia of British

Literature. New York: The Continuum International Publishing Group Inc.

PURPOSE:

For adult browsers and scholars of literature, high school age and older. The introduction of the

encyclopedia states, “incorporating entries for authors and works from Anglo-Saxon Britain to

the present with a cross-section of topical articles pertaining to genre, period, ethnicity,

discipline, the present Encyclopedia, is a collaborative scholarly effort that represents the most

extensive single-volume treatment of its subject available for the general and specialized reader

alike.”

AUTHORITY:

Editors are from the Hunter College of the City University of New York and Cambridge

University. Includes board of advisors information with background credentials ranging from

University of North Carolina, Cambridge University, Loyola College, and Suffolk University.

Offers explanation for bases of selection of included articles, reasoning for omissions, cross

references and contributor information. Entries are signed.

SCOPE:

Limited to specific, nationalized audience. Limited by inclusion of solely British authors.

FORMAT:

Print. Heavy, one volume edition. Type is small to medium with headings in bold. Easy to read

and locate information.

ARRANGEMENT:

Introductions in front, followed by guide to topical articles, abbreviations for periodicals,

alphabetical entries of authors and literary movements and concepts; chronological section or

monarchs of Great Britain, Scotland and Wales; chronological Historical-Literary Timeline;

chronological Literary Awards and Prizes; list of contributors; alphabetical index;

ENTRIES:

Author name in bold; birthdates, birthplace, death date, death place; extensive or short

biography and accurate description about significance of author/person or movement to British

literature; bibliographic information for entries and signature of author of encyclopedia entry.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

One volume. Chronological section or monarchs of Great Britain, Scotland and Wales;

chronological Historical-Literary Timeline; chronological Literary Awards and Prizes; list of

contributors; alphabetical index for quick reference

USE:

Useful for academic libraries and scholars of literature. Can answer ready reference questions

involving British literary history. Answers biographical inquiries for British authors, and ready

reference questions for literary movements and concepts in British literature. Can answer

questions such as “who won the Nobel prize for Literature in 1952?” and “what novels were

written around the time of the War of 1812?” This resource is great for students of British

literature at K-State because it provides lengthier entries about a variety of topic related to the

British literary history. The biographies, bibliographies, definitions and special features such as

the literary award list, included in the encyclopedia provide English students with one-stop

access to information about British literature for their assignments as well as for pleasure

reading.

CRITIQUE:

Overall, accurate information, easy to use; recommended for subject specific searches.

Historical timeline, index of British Monarchs, and literary awards lists make this volume great

for ready reference.

Ready Reference


Magill, F., ed. (1996). Masterplots: 1,801 Plot Stories and Critical Evaluations of the World’s

Finest Literature. 2nd ed. Pasadena, CA: Salem Press, Inc.

PURPOSE:

For adults, high school and older. To meet the needs of persons needing brief, concise synopses

and critical evaluations of longer literary works. Currency ranges from 8 -20 years between

publications. The publisher’s note to this sources states, “*the editors+ have attempted to

create a collection of important literary texts drawn from as many sources as are accessible in

English.

AUTHORITY:

Critical essay contributors are listed with college or university affiliations from all over the

United States as well as independent scholars. Essays are signed.

SCOPE:

Limited by multivolume set. Need complete set to be useful for ready reference librarians.

Limited mostly to English and American literature, with the inclusion of multicultural works in

newest editions.

FORMAT:

Print. Multi-volume. Lightweight books for quick reference; easy to read font;

ARRANGEMENT:

Alphabetical by title, list of titles in volume 1, critical evaluation of title follows each title entry.

ENTRIES:

Includes work title, genre, author, dates, type of plot, setting, initial performance or publication

dates, principal characters, plot and critical evaluation of the author and literary work,

bibliography of secondary works.

SPECIAL FEATURES: Critical evaluation essays and bibliography of secondary works. Over four

hundred new non-English titles added in newest editions.

USE:

Useful in academic and school libraries, as well as public for ready reference. Can answer plot

information, and author identification for included literary works. Can answer “I need

secondary works about Hans Christian Anderson” and “when was Anna Karenina first

published?” Students of English at KSU would use these volumes for plot analysis and could cite

the critical essays in research papers. Also, they could use the bibliography of secondary works

to engage in further research about the author/book of choice.

CRITIQUE:

Overall accurate plot descriptions are great for adults and students for ready reference

information. Great for last minute book reports and detailed analysis of a literary work. The size

of each volume makes it a great resource to use, but the need for the complete multivolume

set might hinder some libraries from making this resource a necessary part of their collection.

Geographical


Mckenna-Schmidt, S. & Rendon, J. (2008). Novel Destinations: Literary Landmarks from Jane

Austen’s Bath to Ernest Hemingway’s Key West. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic Society.

PURPOSE:

For high school ages and older. Purpose is as a travel guide for lovers of literature, travelers,

and adventure seekers. In the introduction, novelist Matthew Pearl writes, “sometimes a book

invites a journey, sometimes we invite ourselves.”

AUTHORITY:

Authors have published in National Geographic Traveler magazine, BookPage, Arrive, Shelf

Awareness and contribute to ReadingGroupGuides.com. They have also held editorial positions

at publishing house such as Simon & Schuster and Hyperion Books.

SCOPE:

Limited by the selection. The authors have chosen which literary works to include, and which

places are must-see spots. Entries are limited to short descriptions of landmarks due.

FORMAT:

Print. Font is easy to read. Book is easy to use as travel guide.

ARRANGEMENT:

Unclear organization scheme.

ENTRIES:

Includes Name, City/Country, Address, Telephone number, website URL, and dates of operation

for each site listed. Also contains a description of the current exhibits at each landmark and

provides extra tidbits of information about relevant/connected sites.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

Includes contact information for each landmark; description of current landmark; extra

information regarding other sites travelers might be interested in visiting; quotes from literary

works; historical facts; pictures; “Don’t Miss” sections; List of literary festivals in the United

States and Europe; information about where films were made from the literary works; Literary

lodgings and dining places;

USE:

For most libraries in the travel guide or nonfiction/literature section. For travelers who also love

literature. English students at KSU could use this book to plan trips to important places in the

lives of their favorite authors. Filled with facts and epithets about each author, students of

English could also use this guide for light reading as a jumping off point for further research into

the lives of their favorite authors. Teachers could use this work to find information about and

plan educational field trips.

CRITIQUE:

The index and page numbers at the back of the volume surpass the unclear organization

scheme throughout the rest of the book. Authors and places of interest seem scattered around

the book, but this does not take away from the overall effectiveness of the travel guide itself. It

reads like a novel, so English students at KSU would enjoy the light reading and perhaps decide

to visit some of the places described in the travel guide.

Governmental Publication


Library of Congress. (2010). Retrieved July 14, 2010 from http://www.loc.gov/index.html.

PURPOSE:

For middle school age and above for ready reference and information purposes. This website meets the needs of any person in need of accurate information regarding any aspect of United States history as well as current events that will further shape our history. The website provides customized links to information for a variety of customer types including kids/families, librarians, teachers, and researchers.

According to the website, the Library's mission is “to make its resources available and useful to the Congress and the American people and to sustain and preserve a universal collection of knowledge and creativity for future generations,” and also “develop qualitatively the Library's universal collections, which document the history and further the creativity of the American people and which record and contribute to the advancement of civilization and knowledge throughout the world, and to acquire, organize, provide access to, maintain, secure, and preserve these collections.”

AUTHORITY:

Provided by the U.S. Library of Congress. Governmental website. Authority is provided by credentials of entries of authors and contributors with varying educational backgrounds and experiences.

SCOPE:

Wide-ranging; encompasses historical information about the United States; celebrates American achievements in past and present, looks forward to the future. Contains collections with content from outside of the U.S. as well.

FORMAT:

Website. Type is easy to read; site is easy to navigate; prominent search engine; free online

ARRANGEMENT:

http://www.loc.gov/index.html

Clear and concise text and images; tabs on left and top for quick links; search engine at top right for quick searching; library highlights of current events

ENTRIES:

Search results include location of book within online or physical catalog, title of entry, publication information, LC control number and permalink, call number, current status, option to save, print or email entry,

SPECIAL FEATURES:

Incorporates a variety of formats from articles, videos, podcasts, RSS feeds, interactive games, webcasts; Ask a Librarian chat; Braille/Audio materials; ability to search multiple cataloguing departments simultaneously; online format for a wide range of the LOC’s physical collection

USE:

Useful for libraries for free access to an enormous wealth of accurate information. English students at KSU could use the LOC website to read books online, stay current on the latest issues in the literary community, learn about literature festivals around the country, and access suggested reading lists through the link http://www.read.gov.

CRITIQUE:

Excellent source for people of all ages and backgrounds. Provides accurate information in a variety of formats to attract different types of learning styles. Although a variety of sources are available through online access, the breadth of others can only be shown through the physical collection at the Library of Congress in Washington D.C. To gain access to these resources, one would have to go to the actual Library of Congress to fully satisfy their information needs.

Indexing and Abstracting


Marra, J. ed. (1997). Reader’s Guide to Periodical Literature: 1997. New York, NY: H.W. Wilson

Company.

PURPOSE:

For students university age and older. To provide a bibliographic listing by subject of the books,

articles, and journals published in the years surrounding each volume. Published every 1-2

years.

AUTHORITY:

The H.W. Wilson Company is a reputable publishing house backed by decades of experience in

educational publishing.

SCOPE:

Limited by numerous volumes in set. Subjects are numerous. Limited by lack of depth on

entries.

FORMAT:

Multivolume set. Volumes are large, 10-12 pounds each. Font is small. Headings are bolded.

ARRANGEMENT:

Periodical list is alphabetical. Entries are alphabetical by subject then by author within each

subject.

ENTRIES:

Alphabetical by subject/author; bibliographic information about entry; date of publication;

SPECIAL FEATURES:

Abbreviation section to aid in deciphering entries; suggestions for using the Reader’s Guide.

Includes book and journal reviews. Lists alphabetical periodicals included in volume.

USE:

Useful for college students for bibliographic information. Because it is alphabetically

categorized by subject, it is useful in finding books, journals etc. that have information about

that particular subject. English students at KSU would use this volume for research, to find out

what books have been recently published about their area of research, to find key words for in

depth search inquiries.

CRITIQUE:

Reader’s Guide is daunting at first glance; would be a good resource once the user learns the

proper use for it; overall it is a great resource because it packs a lot of information into each

volume; a one-stop shop for reference needs.

Libraries must purchase numerous volumes to make it worth owning for their patrons. Also

because this volume is an index, access to the books within the entries of the Reader’s Guide

would also have to be provided by the library in order to answer the patron’s inquiry. I liked

that it listed the periodicals included in each volume at the beginning for quick reference.

Published every year, The Reader’s Guide makes an excellent addition to any library that can

afford it; however, a digital version of this index would be helpful to all libraries.

Biography


Chamber’s Biographical Dictionary. (1997). Retrieved July 20, 2010, from http://www.chambersharrap.co.uk/chambers/features/chref/chref.py/main?title=biog&query

PURPOSE:

For high school ages and older. For quick reference biographical information. Current edition is 1997, new edition to be published in Aug. 2010.

AUTHORITY:

Chambers Publishing is part of the Hodder Education Group, the second largest secondary school publish in the UK. The Chambers group is also a division of the Hatchette Livre publishing company from the United Kingdom. Chambers publishing has almost 200 years in the educational publishing area. Copyright for Chamber is current through 2010. Biographical entries are not signed.

SCOPE:

Limited by brief biographies. Limited to patrons who need brief descriptions of the lives of individuals. Limited by currency; 1997 edition contains Free online version is not an in depth resource for information. A subscription is needed to delve further into the biographies of historical figures.

FORMAT:

Online resource. In depth access to Biography is available through online subscription. Dictionary, Thesaurus and Biography available in print versions. Type is easy to read, information is easy to find within the entry.

ARRANGEMENT:

Online version arranged by search engine. Home page with linked tabs on the left for easy access.

ENTRIES:

http://www.chambersharrap.co.uk/chambers/features/chref/chref.py/main?title=biog&query

Include extensive or short biography for historical persons including birthdate/deathdate; significant aspects and events in the person’s life; bibliographic information as well as secondary information such as quotes by and about the person, excerpts from published works,

SPECIAL FEATURES:

Can search either Dictionary, Thesaurus, or Biography by the simple click of a drop down menu. Provides search tips and abbreviations to aid in searching for desired person. Chambers offers e-books and e-dictionaries to a wide range of sources such iphones and the smartphones and downloads for the PC.

USE:

The paid subscription would be good for most public libraries where patrons would need quick, brief, and accurate information about the lives of a wide range of historical figures. Can answer questions such as “when was Henry James born?” and “who Students of English at KSU could use the information from this website as a jumping off point for further research. For example, to get an idea of the scope of author Jane Austen’s early life and career as a writer, the Chambers website search result for “Jane Austen” provides a brief biography, bibliography and publication dates as well as quotes about Jane Austen by other notable authors. The student would then be able to use other resources for further information on Jane Austen’s life.

CRITIQUE:

Overall accurate information, Not for in-depth research into the details of the lives of historical figures. I think the search function should include an A-Z section to encourage browsing.

Collection Development

Blog

As students of English literature at Kansas State University, you are used to a high standard of

excellence in choosing resources to read, analyze, evaluate and choose to include in your

research papers. Whether it is writing an 8-10 page research paper, or completing a

bibliography for an author or studying for an exam, two resources stand out in their particular

categories of reference sources in providing English students with an extra edge in shaping new

ideas and eventually helping them to meet their information needs. These two resources are

the extensive Reader’s Guide to Periodical Literature and a current edition of Masterplots:

1,801 Plot Stories and Critical Evaluations of the World’s Finest Literature.

The Reader’s Guide allows quick reference to sources under numerous headings to aid in the

search for books, academic articles, and journals in conducting research for a lengthy paper. A

new volume is produced yearly to ensure currency and inclusion of the finest and most up to

date sources available. As an English student, you will be able to use the Reader’s Guide as a

place to generate ideas and keyword search terms, as well as gather bibliographic information

for sources on a wide range of topics.

English students will also find Masterplots to be a helping hand during their time at the KSU.

College life is hectic with all the schoolwork, part-time jobs, extracurricular activities and

socializing that must be crammed into a few short years at the university. Masterplots, with its

character lists, plot summaries and critical essays, is a useful source for saving time when

reading and analyzing the entire assigned novel just isn’t possible. It also allows the student to

learn and remember key aspects of a novel for the purpose of studying for exams, and pop

quizzes. Also because the series is an accurate and reliable resource, English students can be

sure to use Masterplots and the included critical essays for citations in their research papers.

Check out both of these great literature resources, and many more, available at the Hale library

on campus in Manhattan, KS as well as online through databases and the interlibrary loan

system.