LIBE 467 Assignment #1 - Evaluation of a Reference Source

The maps and atlas section of my elementary school collection is one that is in need of a review and refresh. The section is small, with five items in total. The average age of publication date is 2005.  Although Rieldling writes that “age need not be the primary criterion when weeding geographical material,” (p. 76) I believe it is important to have some current material in the print collection to balance some of the older resources. To begin this analysis, I’ve included a brief snapshot of the atlas reference collection as a whole to better understand the larger context. From here, I’ll move into the exploration of the resource, Usborne’s Essential Atlas of the World before finally looking at some potential replacement resources. 

Collection Snapshot 

The stats from above indicate that atlases are not signed out regularly. I am left wondering if this is because students and teachers are not aware they are part of the collection, if it is because they are outdated, or if online resources have taken their place.  The curriculum in Alberta includes mapping and geographical thinking as specific learning outcomes in some respect in every grade from K-6, so resources in some capacity need to be drawn upon. From the above snapshot, it would appear that these resources would not be from the learning commons collection. 

Specific Outcome:Develop Skills of Geographic Thinking (K-6) 

Taken from the Alberta Learning Program of Studies

The specific learning outcomes defined above state the importance of geographic thinking in the social studies program of studies. I wonder if online sources have taken the place of print atlases in the classroom? If so, are atlases in the learning commons read and signed out for mainly for interest reading? Knowing how the collection is being used is an important piece to understanding the circulation history. One factor to acknowledge is that the learning commons space is in a growing phase. It has primarily been used as a book check-out space rather than a research hub. Could this be because of dated resources? Perhaps. Could updating some of the reference items change that? I think so, especially now that there is a teacher-librarian. This is the first year the school has had a teacher-librarian, and how the space is used is in transition as it moves from a traditional library model to more of a learning commons. All of the above questions could be a factor in the low atlas usage. It will be interesting to see if this changes with updated print resources. 

First impressions

The atlas selected for further examination is the Usborne Internet-Linked Essential Atlas of the World. This seemed like an excellent book for selection and falls in the middle of the average collection publication date. Also, it has one of the higher circulation numbers. The atlas was published in 2006 and has 112 pages. The format of the book includes bright, high quality pictures, country profiles, world records and is easy to navigate. The book contains information on how maps are made, how to use latitude and longitude lines and information on how to read maps. The index is comprehensive. 

Despite its recent low circulation number the physical condition of the book makes it seem well read, with repairs previously done on the spine. The book still has its checkout card in the back, and I can see it was checked out over 20 times from 2006-2013.  I can also see from checkout history that this atlas was once used in a kindergarten classroom for an extended checkout period. 

Considerations in Evaluation 

Relevancy 

For students who like reading facts, and nonfiction, this would be an excellent choice due to visual appeal and layout.  The format and text is most accessible to upper elementary readers. The facts, however, are not current. For example, each continent page has a fact sheet. Numbers around population, largest city, and even total land area are numbers that have changed since publication. In addition to this, the “World Records” section is largely dated as well. Another element worth noting is the” internet linked” feature. At the start of the book, readers are encouraged (among other criteria) to have a PC with Windows 98 or later, a web browser with Netscape 6 or later and a connection to the internet via a modem. While this is not required to read the book, many of the pages have an Internet Link box directing to usborne-quicklinks.com. From here, it is not clear what the next step is to find the required activity, which may be disappointing for some readers. 

Purpose 

If students are using this book to learn how to read a map, locate longitude, latitude, use an index, scales or locate time zones, this atlas would suffice, as that information is clearly laid out. I do wonder however, if (and how) any of the climate zones or environmental physical maps may have changed since 2005?  

Curricular Connections 

There are quite a few outcomes K-6 that this resource could be used for, several from each grade. For example: Gr 2 - Use a simple map to locate communities in Canada. 

Gr 5 - use latitude and longitude to determine the absolute location of places in Canada on maps and globes.  This resource could work for both of these outcomes. However other outcomes, this would not be a good fit, Gr 6. construct and interpret various types of maps (i.e., historical, physical, political maps) to broaden understanding of topics being studied. For this outcome, a more up to date publication would be more appropriate. 

Shelf Space

This book, being a single volume, hardcover of 112 pages, does not take up an extraordinary amount of shelf space. However, it could be weeded from the collection if a more current work was purchased.  

Rubric for Evaluation of Geographical Sources 

based on Riedling’s Criteria (p. 77-78)

The Usborne Internet Linked Essential Atlas of the World does fairly well on the rubric. It meets expectations in authority, as Usborne is a well-known publisher of educational material. The scale used throughout is consistent and uses both imperial and metric. Additionally, there is information on how to use the scale and what this means when reading a map. The index is comprehensive. It includes places names with country and corresponding grid and page location. There is also a smaller general index for content. The format is clear, legible and visually appealing. It is geared towards an upper elementary audience, and that reading level seems appropriate. Where it does not meet expectations is currency. Some information is out of date due to its publication in 2004. It is important for information in atlases to be accurate and current, and this one is out of date.  

                       

                                   

Recommended Print Resource

This atlas was the one I selected after an exhaustive search for a resource that met all of the criteria outlined above. This atlas is published by National Geographic, which is a reputable and well-known publisher of nonfiction information. The price point is accessible, especially to purchase a single copy. The book is geared towards grades 2-5, which meets the majority of the target readers at the school. National Geographic also offers publications on either side of this target, with a K-2 My First World Atlas and a Student World Atlas for middle grades and beyond. If this atlas is a good fit, these can be considerations for additions for the collection.  One factor to note is that this is a publication out of the United States. Without looking at it, I am not able to discern if there is a bias towards the assumed target audience of American children. Other than that piece, I am confident it meets all of the criteria outlined for a suitable reference resource that could replace the Essential Atlas of the World. 

Human society has become more global than ever before; therefore, recent geographical resources are a necessity. When a student inquiries, normally the answer can be found online, in an atlas or on an individual map.” (Riedling p. 75) In the search for the best atlas, I also came across a few websites worthy of note. These are already available, and can be used in research projects and to answer reference questions right away. 

Recommended Online Resources 

Title  (website)	Publisher/ Source	Value added to collection	Price
Atlas of Canada	Government of Canada	-adaptable to all curriculum due to size of resource -up to date information	free
CultureGrams	ProQuest LLC	-Interactive Maps  -Infographics of countries  -Quick facts  -Up to date, current  -Reading level suitable for elementary	Subscription paid by Alberta Learning
Stories from the Land: Indigenous Place Names in Canada	Government of Canada	--interactive map - current information  -indigenous perspective  -Grade 4 curriculum connection	free

Having access to updated, relevant reference books in print, is necessary. Ideally, a balance of both print and online resources makes for a more robust, accessible, reliable reference section. “As stimulating as the geographic materials are for the imaginative mind, they are also an invaluable part of any school library reference collection” (Riedling p. 75). Although many students may be researching and using online databases already, some students, especially in the early years, prefer having a physical book to read and explore. Investing in and further developing this area of the collection is recommended. Buying updated books paired with direct teaching and sharing of these resources with staff and students alike is needed to change how research is conducted reference resources are used in the learning commons. 

Works Cited

Alberta Education Program of Studies Elementary Social Studies (2005) Retrieved from http://www.learnalberta.ca/ProgramOfStudy.aspx?lang=en&ProgramId=564423#

Atlas of Canada. (2020) Retrieved from https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/maps-tools-and-publications/maps/atlas-canada/10784

CultureGrams Online Edition (2020) Retrieved from http://online.culturegrams.com/kids/

National Geographic Kids (2019). National Geographic Kids Beginner's World Atlas. Natl Geographic Children's books.

Riedling, Ann Marlow and Cynthia Houston. (2019) Reference Skills for the library media specialist: tools and tips. 4th Ed. Worthington, Ohio.

Stories from the Land: Indigenous Place Names in Canada (2020) Retrieved from 

https://maps.canada.ca/journal/content-en.html?lang=en&appid=0e585399e9474ccf932104a239d90652&appidalt=11756f2e3c454acdb214f950cf1e2f7d

Turnbull, Stephanie. (2004) The Usborne internet-linked: Essential atlas of the world. Usborne Publishing, England.