Choosing Reference Resources

 

I was reading the dictionary. 

I thought it was a poem about everything.

Steven Wright

What would be 5 reference tools that our library should have for staff and students?

    Earlier this year I went through our reference section and discarded several old, graffiti covered student dictionaries. I removed duplicate copies of outdated science books, and resources with significantly damaged covers. In reference to MUSTIE from CREW: A Weeding Manual for Modern Libraries, I actually removed mouldy, water damaged books. All of the materials were old enough that the spine labels had faded and were unreadable, so I printed new ones and inspected each book more closely. The newest book in the reference section is from 2017, a student dictionary, and the rest are from 2000-2016. It is safe to say that it is time to bring our school reference section to the 21st Century.

    What are the 5 reference tools that my school library learning commons should have for staff and students? The first four are standard resources…

    1. Encyclopedias

    2. Atlases

    3. Dictionaries

    4. Thesauri

    As for the 5th tool? Handbooks, manuals, directories, almanacs, and biographies are among some of the valid suggestions for important reference books.

1. Encyclopedias

  

    Our World Book Encyclopedia set is from 2007, a far cry from being current, but I am not going to spend our entire budget on a new print set. We do have access to current World Book Encyclopedias in a digital form. Recently, I set up a computer for students to access the library catalogue. I have shown students in grades 4-7 how to access the Digital Focused Resources, including the World Book Encyclopedia editions. I made a sign with instructions on how to access the digital resources and put it next to the computer as a reminder to students. We have a subscription to World Book Early Learning (K-Gr. 2), World Book Kids (Gr. 3-6), World Book Students (Gr. 5-9), World Book Advanced (Gr. 6-9), and World Book Discover (Gr. 5-9, leveled text).

    On the KnowBC site there are several reference books, including two of my favourite books, which we also have in print in our library. The Encyclopedia of British Columbia by Daniel Francis, and Marine Life of the Pacific Northwest by By Andy Lamb and Bernard P. Hanby. Another reference book that looks really interesting is The Encyclopedia of Raincoast Placenames by Andrew Scott.

    The Smithsonian and Britannica both have 2023 published general encyclopedias that are really great. They would make a great addition to the library reference section as well. They both use large, well organized images, with age appropriate text on a variety of curricular related topics. 

2. Atlases

    We have several world atlases but they are all outdated. I have been sourcing atlases but have yet to find a hard cover bound one that is age appropriate, current, and affordable. I looked online but it is difficult to tell if the book is suitable until I physically see it. I have been to several book stores however their collections are limited. There have been some great soft cover ones which I will likely purchase but I've seen nothing of the ‘coffee table’ style books that we would expect in a library. I will keep looking. In the meantime, I set out all of our atlases on display. It has been getting a lot of attention and use.

3. Dictionaries

    

    We have an assortment of new looking dictionaries that have been meeting the needs of students. What we were lacking were picture dictionaries in other languages. We have many new students from other countries that are learning English. I also have had students request books on ‘how to learn another language.’ I am so excited to add a new plethora of picture dictionaries. We now have French, German, Japanese, Arabic, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Ukrainian, English, Spanish, and Thai. Each of the books has online audio that can be accessed from a device in the Collins Dictionary  On the Collins site, there is also a quizlet link and games specified to learning the language of each of the books. 

    February 21 is Speak Your Mother Tongue Day. I am setting up a display featuring all our books that feature languages: dual language picture books, picture dictionaries, sign language books, books in braille, and books with Indigenous languages… I am looking forward to it. 

4. Thesauri

    We have a student thesaurus in good condition and a college edition which is not as user friendly but could be helpful to teachers or older intermediate students. There is also an online Merriam Webster thesauri, and the Collins Thesaurus has many options as well. Just the other day, while I was in Kidsbooks, I saw Absurd Words by Tara Lazar. It is another great book added to my 'consideration list' for our library. It would be a fun addition to our reference section. 

5. Yearbooks, and almanacs

 

   There are many options to choose from but because yearbooks and almanacs are popular among our students, I have decided that I will put the current, new yearbooks, and almanacs in the reference section until the next one is published the following year. Once the new edition is processed in the library, the previous year book can be moved to the shelf for circulation. For example this year’s Guinness Book World Records 2024, Scholastic World Records 2024, and the Sports Illustrated Almanac 2024 can be shelved or on display in the reference section. It should draw attention to the reference section and create some social opportunities for students to share the books in the library.

       The general non-fiction reference material that is shelved for circulation gets well used. In her blog, Renovated Learning, Diana Rendina dismantled her reference section and shelved the books. She has seen an increase in use. I am not going to do this with all the reference books but will likely move some books over that are older, and would be of interest to students and teachers. For example there are a few space, and earth science books that could be better utilized if they were circulated.

     The reference section in the library has been under-utilized so far this year. Sections that I have promoted have gone up in use, which shows that my role in connecting students to these resources is important. In the Resource Based Learning Slideshare, from Partito State University, they use the term ‘creating a learning culture.’ It is a great way to view my role as a teacher-librarian.

The National Archives of Boston reminds us of the Guidelines to a Successful Reference Interview. The five main areas to the reference interview are 1. Approachability, 2. Interest, 3. Listening/Inquiring, 4. Searching, and 5. Follow Up.  I am making an effort to follow the guidelines, especially in following up with students and teachers to see if the resources have met their needs. 

    In the meantime, “It is teacher librarians’ responsibility to use whatever constitutes their collection as effectively as possible.” (Richard Beaudry, UBC 467 Course, 2024). I have lots of resources to work with (even if they are outdated) and look forward to continuing to build a 'culture of learning' in our Library Learning Commons.

Works Cited

American Library Association. National Archives of Boston. Guidelines of the Successful Reference Interview. Accessed February 18, 2024. 

Beaudry, Richard. University of British Columbia. Course 467 Information Services, 2024.

Partido State University. Resource Based Learning, December 13, 2012.

Rendina, Diana. Renovated Learning, Three Reasons to Rethink Your Reference Section, February 14, 2014. 

Wright, Steven. (Brainy Quotes.ca),  "I was reading the dictionary. I thought it was a poem about everything." Accessed February 18, 2024.

Webliography

3 Reasons to Rethink Your Reference Section - Renovated Learning

reference-interviews.pdf (archives.gov) national archives at Boston

Reference resources | Services to Schools (natlib.govt.nz)