Ryan Noble, Eric Robinson, Laine Thielstrom, & Annie Thomas

What is Ready Reference?  Compile information consulted regularly into a single resource  Serves as a resource for a specific group of question types  Arranges information for easy access

Evaluating Ready Reference Resources  Accuracy of information  Documentation of sources  Currency of resource  Adequacy of indexing  Layout of information

Eric Robinson

What are almanacs? Almanacs compile recent statistics and facts often on political, cultural, or current events Coverage may be general or subject specific Include facts, statistics, lists, and annual chronologies Usually published annually Information is well researched and authoritative

Source: (2009) World almanac and book of facts. New York: World Almanac. Source: (2009). Time almanac. Boston: Information Please, LLC.

General Almanacs Address many fact-based questions: Population demographics, economic information, or other statistics about a given country Tables of statistics, chronologies, and lists and descriptive information Facts on hundreds of public figures Arranged Topically for browsing People  Nature/Science  World  United States  Business  Sports Information typically accessed through index

(2008). Time almanac. Boston: Information Please, LLC.

Comparing General Almanacs World Almanac Time Almanac Longer text entries fewer illustrations, maps, etc. Online version requires subscription Online version requires subject and key word searches Better visual arrangement within topics Excellent visuals Better indexing of personal names Online version is free but laden with ads Online version much more browsable

Bowker Annual Library and Book Trade Almanac Presents information and statistics on libraries and publishing Reports from national agencies, associations, and organizations Information on recent legislation affecting these industries Bibliographies and distinguished book lists Directories of libraries, library organizations and book trade organizations Source: (2009). Library and book trade almanac. New York: Information Today.

Political analysis State by state coverage Profiles of officials Player statistics Histories of all types of sports Team histories Chronologies African American Firsts Historical documents

Statistical Abstract of the United States (2009) The 2009 statistical abstract. Retrieved from:

Source: (2009) The 2009 statistical abstract. Retrieved from: /

Test your knowledge Which resource would you use to locate statistics on trends in e-book sales? A. Time Almanac B. World Almanac and Book of Facts C. The Bowker Annual D. Statistical Abstract of the U.S. ?

Test your knowledge Which resource would you use to locate statistics on trends in e-book sales? C. The Bowker Annual

References  (2008). Time almanac. Boston: Information Please, LLC.  (2009) Infoplease.com. Accessed on June 27, 2009 from: Infoplease.comInfoplease.com  (2009). Library and book trade almanac. New York: Information Today.  (2009). Time Almanac. Chicago: Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc.  (2009) World almanac and book of facts. New York: World Almanac.  (2009) World almanac Online. Retrieved June 18, 2009 from Academic Search Premier: 7&sid=2d5637b1-2ede-4e47-918f-ce9e0db4c55d%40sessionmgr &sid=2d5637b1-2ede-4e47-918f-ce9e0db4c55d%40sessionmgr104  (2009) The 2009 statistical abstract. Retrieved from: