Directories Evaluation

References Evaluation – Group work Directories

Submitted by Group (1) Francie Berger Hanem Ibrahim Heather Tebbs

ILS 504- Reference Materials and Services Dr. Elsie Okobi

Fall 2009

Evaluation Set 4 (Directories) This paper evaluates 16 directories as reference resources. Documentation of each group member’s contributions follows the body of the work. 1. AcqWeb's Directory of Publishers and Vendors Citation AcqWeb's Directory of Publishers and Vendors (2004) Retrieved on November1, 2009. From: http://www.acqweb.org/pubr.html Scope This is an international trade directory of important publishers and vendors listed and compiled by library professionals and vendors’ links to publisher or vendors’ websites, and e- mail address of the publishers and vendors. Use This list of publishers and vendors is useful to Acquisition librarian to make it easy to contact with t them for collection development. With this directory we could answer questions like: I need to find contact information for the publishing firm Peachpit Press. Do they have an e-mail address or an 800 number? What stores in the U.S. specialize in Polish language books? Arrangement/ Entries The web site of this directory arranged to include these sections in the home page 1- Publisher Email Address Directory edited by David Marshall 2- Publisher Web Sites: Alphabetic Directory 3- Publisher Web Sites: Geographic Directory by Peter Scott 4- Publisher Web Sites: Subject Directory (which includes 17 main subject headings and these topic divided also to sub- headings) in the bottom of the same home page, which makes it easier to look for those publisher and vendor through their special subject interests like(General and Multiple Subject Publishers, Business and Economics, Education, and more) For each entry there are links to web page of each one the publisher or vendor included this web pages different from one to another but it helps of the authors, new releases, upcoming books, and lots more. Currency The last update for this web site was on August 18, 2004. Overall Evaluation or Critique This is easy to use directory and some of the links to websites are dead and need to be updated. 1. American School Directory Citation American School Directory. Retrieved on October 30, 2009 from http://www.asd.com/asd/asdhome.htm Scope

This site provides information on over 105,000 primary, middle, and high schools in the U.S. It covers public, private, and Catholic schools. There are two choices of subscriptions; the first is payable by month or the first 500 schools accessed and the second is payable per year or first 2000 schools accessed. Purpose Asd.com is an online source of information on K-12 schools in the United States. The company has been in business since 1985. ASD.com was started in 1996. Authority The publishers of the site contact schools directly to verify and update information. Use This site will be useful to anyone who would like information about public, private, and Catholic schools in the U.S. and wants to view the information one school at a time. Arrangement/ Entries Each entry is divided into four parts and each part includes: a. School Information Page- name, address, county name, ASD code number, and link to map b. Contact Information- principal’s name, office phone number, fax number, e-mail address, and web address c. School Information- number of students, number of homerooms, grade levels, type of school, mascot, school colors, computer platform, number of internet connected computers, type of internet connection, and wish list items # 1, #2, #3 d. District- county school district address and phone number Schools can be searched by school name, city, county, or zip code. Currency This site is updated weekly at minimum during the school year. Overall Evaluation or Critique It is impossible to critique this site as it is only accessible to subscribers. However, the sample page is well organized and provides clear and useful data for the entry. 2. Annual Register of Grant Support Citation McDonough, Beverly (Ed.). (2009). Annual Register of Grant Support 2010: A Directory of Funding Sources (43rd ed.). New Providence, New Jersey: R.R. Bowker. Annual Register of Grant Support 2010. Retrieved on October 30, 2009 from http://infotoday.stores.yahoo.net/anregofgrans4.html Scope This directory provides information on over 3200 organizations that give nonrepayable funding. It includes traditional corporate, private, and public funding sources as well as little known non-traditional funding sources such as educational associations and unions.

Purpose The Annual Register of Grant Support provides broad information relating to organizations that give non-repayable financial support to organizations seeking funding for their programs. Use This directory will prove a valuable resource for any organization that depends on grants to keep its programs running. Arrangement/ Entries The guide is divided into 11 major subject areas and 61 sub-categories. Information given on each grant includes: • Eligibility requirements and restriction • Application procedures and deadlines • Grant size or range • Contact information Currency This directory is published annually. Overall Evaluation or Critique The directory provides clear concise information and is easy to search. 1. D&B Companies Online Citation (1999). Companies Online. Waltham, MA: Lycos. Retrieved November 2, 2009, from http://www.insiderinfo.com. Scope Companies Online is a Web directory run by Lycos.com. Its new URL is http://www.insiderinfo.com. Its scope is not limited, but is comprised of any commercial Web site submitted for inclusion. Purpose Web directories by companies such as Lycos are an alternative method of cataloging and searching for Web sites. Rather than being crawler-based, the sights are sought or submitted by hand. This site’s particular purpose is to provide a venue for commercial products. Use Those searching for commercial products or services on the Web would use this directory. Arrangement/ Entries Entries are arranged topically and may be viewed via the site map. Currency A quick review did not reveal any broken links on the site. Overall Evaluation or Critique While the organization of the site appears at first glance to be adequatelydone, clicking on the subject links reveals sponsored links that have absolutely nothing to do with the subject selected. The user must scroll all the way down the page in order to see an anemic number of results for their selection. This format is deceptive and at first I thought perhaps no pertinent results had been returned. I would not recommend this site, which is too bad because Lycos used to be a reputable company.

2. Directory of Research Grants Citation Grants Program (Ed.). (2005). Directory of research grants. Phoenix, Arizona: Oryx Press. Scope This directory provides information on over 5100 programs from 1880 sponsors. It includes non-repayable funding information from U.S. and foreign foundations, corporation, government agencies and other organizations. The user can find funding amongst other things, research, equipment acquisition, building construction and renovation, and fellowships. Purpose The Directory of Research Grants provides information about organizations that give non-repayable financial support to organizations seeking funding for their programs.

Authority The editors of the directory contact the sponsoring organizations directly to verify information. Funding organizations also provide the editors with brochures, press releases, and other mailings to ensure currency. Use This directory will prove a valuable resource for any organization that depends on grants to keep its programs running. Arrangement/ Entries Each entry includes: • Grant title and description • Requirements • Amount • Application deadline • Contact information • Internet access • Sponsor name and address • Samples of awarded grants (when available) The guide also includes four indexes: • Subject • Sponsoring organization • Program type • Geographic The directory also includes a “Guide to Proposal Planning and Writing” by Jeremy and Lynn Miner. Currency This directory is published annually. Overall Evaluation or Critique

The four indexes make it very easy for the user to find the best program for his/her purposes. 1. Directory of Special Libraries and Information Centers Citation Miskelly, M. & Rozsa, C. (Ed.). (2002). Directory of Special Libraries and Information Centers. (27th ed.). Detroit: Gale Group. Scope It’s part of Gale’s ready reference listing Libraries and information centers. It provides detailed contact and descriptive information on more than 34,000 subject-specific resource collections maintained by various government agencies, businesses, publishers, educational and nonprofit organizations, and libraries around the world Purpose /Use Researchers can use it to find useful information about those resource centers, special collections and documentation centers. With this directory we could answer questions like: Where is the location of libraries with strong collections on folk dancing. Arrangement/ Entries Directory of Special Libraries and Information Centers is published in two volumes (available separately): Volume 1 (in three parts) provides detailed contact and descriptive information on subject-specific resource collections maintained by various government agencies, businesses, publishers, educational and nonprofit organizations, and libraries around the world. In addition, Vol. 1 features seven appendixes and a comprehensive subject index and is available with or without an inter-edition supplement. Volume 2, Geographic and Personnel Indexes, provides access to profiled libraries by geographic region, as well as by the professional staff that are cited in each listing. Currency This printed edition 27 was published in 2002 The printed edition updates annually. The online edition up- to-date, and available for subscription only through http://www.librariesupdate.com/default.asp Overall Evaluation or Critique It very useful directory, and easy to use. 2. Foundations On-Line Citation (2009).. Foundations On-Line. Retrieved November 2, 2009 from http://www.foundationsonline.org. Scope Foundations On-Line is a directory of charitable grant makers. Purpose The purpose is to provide a national directory of charitable grant makers. Use

Those searching for charitable grants will find this site of use. Overall Evaluation or Critique Entries are in two major directory lists: 1. Corporate and Private Foundations, and Grantmakers Directory 2. Community Foundations Directory These two directories are arranged alphabetically by organization or grant name. Links are given to the grant makers. Scrolling to the bottom of the page shows more categories of grants in a table. Limited time grant organizations or opportunities are listed on the main page. Currency The lists appear current. I did not find any broken links. Overall Evaluation or Critique This Web site is a mess. There is little to no effective organization to its contents. While the entries are useful, the lack of organization is discouraging. I had to go one page deeper into the site to find the links for the directory. This might put off a less persistent user. 1. Hoover’s Online Citation Hoover: A D&B Company. (2009). Hoover’s, Inc. Retrieved October 30, 2009 from http://www.hoovers.com/free/. Scope This site provides information on 32 million public and private companies world-wide and 37 million key people. It covers all aspects of company, industry and market intelligence that drive business growth. There are three different subscriptions available. All include information about 40,000 companies that are either large or influential in their industry. Beyond that, the choices vary in depth of information, so the user may choose their subscription according to their needs. The site also provides news coverage from over 2000 international sources. Purpose Hoover’s Online is an online source of business information about companies and industries world-wide and what drives their growth. Authority The information for this site is compiled by industry experts who analyze and verify the content. Use This site would be useful for anyone doing research on a company, be it for purposes of prospective partnerships, employment or client relationship building. It would also be helpful for a business person looking for preparing for a meeting or doing competitive research Arrangement/ Entries Each entry is divided into13 parts and each part includes: • Company name, address, phone and fax numbers • Company record tools- links to company data and reports

• Overview- description • Key information • Key numbers • Key people- names and contact information • People profiles- provided by company employees • LinkedIn connections • CEOs on camera • Industry information- extensive hyperlinks • Industry watch- current news links • Top competitors- with hypertext links • Rankings/Stock indexes Currency This site is updated daily. Overall Evaluation or Critique Information on this site is easy to access using a keyword search, and is presented in a very clear, readable format. 1. National Faculty Directory 2000 Citation The National faculty directory (2001) Detroit, Mich.: Gale Research Co Scope Find names, departmental affiliations and institutional addresses of professionals of approximately 730,000 members of teaching faculties at more than 3,600 American colleges and universities and approximately 240 Canadian institutions that use instructional materials primarily in English. Each Supplement updates approximately 60,000 new entries. Purpose Use This is an essential resource for academic and large public libraries for locating teaching faculty at junior colleges, colleges and universities in the United States, with some in Canada. Primary users include students, academics, and professional researchers seeking faculty contact information and departmental affiliations. It could be use to answer questions like: I need an address for a mathematics professor whose last name is Zorn. Arrangement/ Entries National Faculty Directory arranged alphabetically by the last names of faculty members, and sub arranged by first names and initial, the college and universities are arranged alphabetically by the states. Each entry include also the departmental affiliations, institutional addresses, and phone numbers. The Supplement entries in the main body are arranged alphabetically by faculty member name. Entries include address, phone number, and departmental affiliation. The roster section contains a listing of schools arranged alphabetically by state/province, then name of school within the state/province. Currency Updated irregularly.

Overall Evaluation or Critique The information in the directory is taken from academic catalogs published by institutions, so it should be accurate, published by reputable publisher. The page divided into 5 columns, the printed entries are too small. 2. Peterson’s Citation (2009). Peterson’s. Retrieved November 2, 2009, from http://www.petersons.com. Scope Peterson’s is an education preparation and information portal for all levels of education in the United States. It is owned by NeInet. Purpose The Peterson’s portal About page lists the following purpose and content for the site: “In addition to our core products for college search and selection, test preparation, and financial aid, Petersons offers online services for essay editing and instruction as well as resume writing.” Use Students use the Peterson’s site to conduct academic test preparation, study help, admissions assistance, and other information about, “with information about colleges and universities, career schools, graduate programs, distance learning, executive training, private secondary schools, summer opportunities, study abroad, financial aid, test preparation, and career exploration.” Arrangement/ Entries The site is a portal to Peterson’s products. A home page offers organization by the following education levels: • Colleges and Universities • Graduate Schools • Online and Continuing Education • K-12 Schools and Programs On the home page, search boxes correspond to each education level. Quick links are offered to frequently-sought topics for each education level. Currency The site is current as of 2009. Overall Evaluation or Critique While this is primarily a site designed to sell education products and services to the public, it is very well organized and has a pleasing presence. It is easy to search and organized in a clear and consistent manner. 1. Publishers Directory Citation Gagne, L. (Ed.). Publishers directory. (2008). Farmington Hills, MI, Gale. Scope According to Google Books, Gale's Publishers Directory covers approximately 30,000 U.S. and Canadian publishers, distributors and wholesalers. Google goes on to explain:

Organizations profiled in the Publishers Directory represent a broad spectrum of interests, including major publishing companies; small presses (in the traditional, literary sense); groups promoting special interests from ethnic heritage to alternative medical treatments; museums and societies in the arts, science, technology, history, and genealogy; divisions within universities that issues special publications in such fields as business, literature and climate studies; religious institutions; corporations that produce important publications related to their areas of specialization; government agencies; and electronic and database publishers. Purpose The purpose of the resources is to catalog all publishers in one directory for ready reference of publisher name, address, etc. Use A person searching for contact information for a publisher, or searching for a publisher of a particular type of resource would use this directory. Currency 2008 is fairly current; however, with how quickly the publishing industry changes, using the current year’s edition is advisable. 2. Research Centers and Services Directory Citation Research centers and services directories. (2009). Detroit, MI: Gale/ Cengage Learning Retrieved November 1, 2009 from http://library.dialog.com/bluesheets/html/bl0115.html. Scope The Research Centers and Services Directory is a comprehensive source of detailed information on over 37,000 organizations conducting research worldwide. It corresponds to the print Research Centers Directory family of publications: Research Centers Directory, which covers over 15,900 university-based and other nonprofit research facilities in the U.S. and Canada; International Research Centers Directory, which covers over 13,160 non-U.S. research organizations in approximately 160 countries; Government Research Directory, which covers more than 8,000 research units of the U.S. and Canadian federal governments. The Research Centers and Services Directory database provides full contact information and descriptions of university, independent nonprofit, government, and commercial research and development centers, institutes, laboratories, bureaus, test facilities, experiment stations, research parks, foundations, councils, and other organizations that support and conduct research worldwide Purpose / Use It is recommended to be purchased by all large public and academic libraries. It offers information about programs, staffing, publications, and services. It could be used to answer questions like: 1- Where are there research centers with expertise on butterflies?

2- Where is Chulalongkorn University located? What is the size of the faculty and student body at that institution? 3- I would like the address and phone number for Edmund Scientific Co. Arrangement/ Entries This Directory Arranged alphabetically in Subject categories. The research units in nearly every field of research activity are described. Organizations from Research Centers Directory are grouped into the following general categories (numbers refer to corresponding section heading codes: • Agricultural, Food, and Veterinary Sciences (01) • Astronomy and Space Sciences (04) • Behavioral and Social Sciences (12) • Biological and Environmental Sciences (02) • Business and Economics (08) • Computers and Mathematics (05) • Education (13) • Engineering and Technology (06) • Government and Public Affairs (09) • Humanities and Religion (14) • Law (11) • Labor and Industrial Relations (10) • Medical and Health Sciences (03) • Multidisciplinary Programs (16) • Physical and Earth Sciences (07) • Regional and Area Studies (15) • Research Coordinating Offices and Research Parks (17) Currency Current file corresponds to this year's print edition of the directory File Size: 37,134 Organizations as of June 2009. Annual Reload Update Frequency, and online for subscription only through the web site at:http://galenet.gale.com/m/mcp/db/rcsd/ Overall Evaluation or Critique International Guide to research center, published by reputable publisher, very useful for researchers, with special features includes: ERA Available, Graduate Education Program, KWIC and HILIGHT Available. 1. Research Centers Directory Citation Research centers directory (2001) Detroit, MI: Gale Research Co., Scope A directory to Research institutes, foundations, centers, bureaus, laboratories, experiment stations, and other similar nonprofit facilities, organizations, and activities in the United States and Canada. Purpose / Use It’s important source for information on research centers, and universities. Useful for student researcher, and librarian. It could answer questions like: Where are there research centers with expertise on butterflies in USA?

Arrangement/ Entries Arranged geographically: Entry gives identifying and descriptive information of staff and work. Institutional, research centers, and subject indexes. 5th ed., 5491 entries; 6th ed., 6268 entries Currency Print edition updated irregularly. It is complemented with two other Gale publications: • International Research Centers Directory • Government Research Directory Overall Evaluation or Critique Published by reputable publish 1. Subject Collections Citation Ash, L. & McQuitty, B. J. (Eds.). (1993). Subject Collections: A Guide to Special Book Collections and Subject Emphases as Reported by University, College, Public and Special Libraries and Museums in the United States and Canada (7th ed.). New Providence, New Jersey; R.R. Bowker. Retrieved on October 30, 2009 from http://www.alibris.com/booksearch. detail?invid=9993749010&browse=1&qwork=6433926&qsort=&page=1 Scope This directory includes reviews of more than 65,000 special library and museum collections held by almost 6000 in the U.S. and Canada. Of these entries, 13,000 collections from almost 900 institutions are new since the last edition. Catalog of Manuscript Collections revealed several omissions from Subject Collections. Nevertheless, libraries that serve a research-oriented clientele will want to make the seventh edition an essential purchase. Purpose Subject Collections reviews the strengths of thousands of library collections covering a wide range of subject areas Authority The editors contacted each library directly via mailings to verify accuracy. Use This directory will be most useful to researchers and reference librarians and would most likely be found in an academic setting. Arrangement/ Entries The entries are listed alphabetically using Library of Congress subject headings. Under each heading, entries are alphabetical by state, then city, then by name of institution. Each entry includes the following information: • Name of holding institution • Contact information-phone and fax numbers, e-mail • General description of holdings Collections on Eastern European nations, African American cultures, gays and lesbians, ecology and the environment, feminism and women's rights,

music and theater, and ethnic groups (especially Muslims) have gained significantly in representation. Currency The information is accurate to the date of the publication. 1. Yearbook of International Organizations, 1999/2000 Citation Union of International Associations (Eds.). (1999). Yearbook of international organizations: 1999-2000 (36th ed.) (Vols. 1-4). Munich: K. G. Saur. Scope According to Amazon.com, “this reference work provides information on over 28,000 international organizations at work in over 225 countries worldwide.” Purpose The purpose is to provide data about and contact information for international organizations. Use Questions about contact information for foreign or domestic non-profits, government organizations, and other “membership entities” can be found in this four volume set. Arrangement/ Entries According to the review on Amazon.com: Cross-referenced, it is organized into three volumes specifically to facilitate information retrieval. Volume 1 has been reorganized for greater ease of use and contains entries on over 28,000 organizations, from inter-governmental organizations to religious orders and non-profit bodies. Volume 2 which covers international organization participation provides a geographically arranged directory of organizations. Restructured for this edition, the volume now contains one section which lists countries in alphabetical order. Over 10,000 secretariats and other offices of international organizations are listed plus over 70,000 membership entries. Not simply an index to descriptions in Volume 1, this directory of secretariats and membership is an independent working tool with each entry giving the name and main address of the international body. Volume 3 covers global action networks. It is an organizational directory arranged by subject, interdisciplinary subject combinations and regions as well as providing a subject index to Volume 1. Currency It is a decade old and therefore not current. Overall Evaluation or Critique The volumes appear to be well organized. One does wonder about their completeness given the enormity of the subject. 2. Telephone Directories on the Web Citation (1995-2009). Infobel.com. Retrieved on October 30, 2009 from http://www.infobel.com/en/ world/. Scope

This site is a directory to international telephone directories. It covers almost every country of the world and provides extensive listings for Business Directories, White Pages, Website Directories and Yellow Pages for each country. Purpose Infobel.com is an online international telephone directory. Use This directory would be useful for anyone who needs directory assistance (phone number, address, etc.) for the United States or any other country of the world. Arrangement/ Entries The user selects the country she wants to search from either the drop-down menu or the six continental sub-divisions on the homepage. Choosing the country will lead to a number of hyperlinks that may be white pages, yellow pages, business directories, or additional web directories. The user then chooses her preference and does the look-up. Currency This site appears to be up-to-date. Overall Evaluation or Critique While I found this site relatively easy to use, if I were looking for a phone number in the United States I would probably stick to www.msn.com or www.switchboard.com for simplicity’s sake; either of those sites would get me to the information I needed more efficiently. But this does appear to be a handy site for international look-ups.