Goal Three: To Curate

Outcome 3c

Evaluate resources or tools that manage and facilitate access to information.

For the assignment below–a Ready Reference Exercise for LIS 702–we were tasked with not only evaluating a reference database, but offering an instructional video on how to best use it. I chose Credo, an academic reference database that spans across multiple disciplines. Through this project I learned how to evaluate one of the most frequently used research tools for patrons in libraries–databases. I feel as though this is a particularly important skill to have as one journey’s through their library career. As a librarian, one must know how to navigate and evaluate information for their patrons, and for themselves. In doing so, we are building upon the tenets of access, as these databases are more accessible if librarians know how to operate them and teach their patrons. Overall, this assignment helped me explore a tool that facilitates access. In particular, it offered me a skill that I can apply to my desk work as I learn how to best teach others the magic of informational databases.

Database Selection: Credo Reference

 Part 1: Database Evaluation Questions 

What is the scope of this resource?  What subjects are covered?  
The scope of this research spans 20 categories such as language and literature, arts and leisure, and geography just to name a few.
Describe the search functions: is there a basic search?  Advanced search?  Can the user set additional limits?  Is there faceted searching? Is there a browse feature?
- There is a basic and advanced search. It seems as though you can set up an almost limitless amount (I never reached an end) of additional limits. There are some nice faceting searching tools including a web map related topics. I searched “George Washington” and it offered connections of “Continental Army” “Siege of Yorktown” “Alexander Hamilton,” and others. Moreover, there are options to add additional filters after the initial search such as “subject” and “media”. Finally, there is a nice browse feature.
What are the general coverage dates and how often is the content updated?
The general coverage dates are 2010 and less, to 2024. The database updates its content seemingly once a month.
Is the content primarily indexed and abstracted only?  How much full-text coverage is included?

The content is primarily abstracted with each option containing a couple of sentences going into what the material is about. It seems that the abstraction almost matches the amount of index, however, as there is also indexed content for each material.
What kind of sources are included?  (Scholarly journals, magazines, newspapers, trade publications, book chapter, book reviews, multimedia, reference sources (like dictionaries, encyclopedias, yearbooks, directories, atlases, etc)?
- It contains primarily reference resources such as dictionaries and encyclopedias, however, when you select “more library resources” you are offered scholarly journal databases such as MedlinePlus and JSTOR.
Is there a mechanism to sort material according to format, by relevance, by date? 
Yes there is, either at the beginning in the advanced search or after the initial search is done on the right hand side labeled “filters”.
Can a user save to a temporary folder for printing or emailing?  Can the user create an account within the resource?
Yes, the user can save the material to a temporary folder, and they can create an account with the resource.
Who is the intended audience for this resource?
The intended audience for Credo Reference would be students at the beginning of their research journeys, or just students looking for extra support on a variety of topics.

Part 2: Demonstration Video