Pop Culture Universe – Icons Idols Ideas
(ABC-CLIO subscription database)
(ABC-CLIO subscription database)
URL
ISBN: 978-0-313-08890-2
Content Summary
Pop Culture: Icons Idols Ideas is a popular database that provides a constantly evolving look at pop culture from the Age of Innocence 1900’s to the Birth of Rock and Roll of the 1950’s to the Networked Nation of the present. Each decade offers an overview, articles, media and visuals, facts and figures, as well as a timeline and glossary of terms.
Because pop culture defines our culture and society – this database provides an attractive insight for children and teens, as they study fads, fashions, and foods – television, music and movies. It can be viewed by the decades, with links to all that time period, or using an advanced search by category, decade, or subject. It offers both sides of controversial topics and events, without bias. It reflects our values and aspirations, and provides a microscope from which it can be viewed.
Pop Culture: Icons Idols Ideas provides continuously updated and brand-new content, and currently provides 3,500 entries. It has an Analyze section that asks an essential question and then goes about responding from various viewpoints on controversial subjects. It also offers a Stories section that offers at-a-glance articles covering trends in pop culture and major events over the past century.
Critical Evaluation
School Library Journal named ABC-CLIO databases as one of the Best Digital Resources for students. Students like that it has a search feature, which allows students to narrow down their topic or interest of study. While this database may not seem as substantial as others available, it does provide enough to meet our students' needs and sometimes it gets them asking for more. The format is intuitive for students, and they appreciate that it provides both APA and MLA format citations at the bottom of every reference. I especially like that the databases are linked, so once a student signs in – he or she can search not only one particular database, but any combination of them to maximize their search efforts.
Genre
Pop Culture
Curriculum Ties
Perfect for any student studying American history through the decades, searching for the stories and culture of the time that might have played a role in major historical events.
Reading Level / Interest Level
Middle & High School / YA
Awards
Outstanding Academic Title, 2009 – Choice
Editor’s Choice Award – Library Media Connection
Best Digital Resource – School Library Journal
Dartmouth Medal, 2009
Why Included & Selection Tools
This is one of thirteen ABC-CLIO databases I won access to for half of last year and all of this year, and one of the top two as determined by my students because they have found everything they’ve been looking for and didn’t have to deal with bias or advertising. They trust the information they find, and have even taken assignments further to keep wandering the database and learning more about the details of the living history it encapsulates.
School Library Journal, Booklist, Library Journal
Reading Level / Interest Level
Middle & High School / YA
Awards
Outstanding Academic Title, 2009 – Choice
Editor’s Choice Award – Library Media Connection
Best Digital Resource – School Library Journal
Dartmouth Medal, 2009
Why Included & Selection Tools
This is one of thirteen ABC-CLIO databases I won access to for half of last year and all of this year, and one of the top two as determined by my students because they have found everything they’ve been looking for and didn’t have to deal with bias or advertising. They trust the information they find, and have even taken assignments further to keep wandering the database and learning more about the details of the living history it encapsulates.
School Library Journal, Booklist, Library Journal
NameIssues: Understanding Controversy and Society
(ABC-CLIO subscription database)
URL ISBN: 978-1-598-84047-6
Content SummaryIssues: Understanding Controversy and Society is a popular database that supports an in-depth look at how society shapes and is shaped by controversial issues, using both primary and secondary sources. It allows students to make connections between the major news events and their historical roots. One can dig deeper to find the story behind the issues, and some of the enduring elements considered by scholars over time. In theory, this should allow students to begin to better frame the questions they as, and allow them to make connections instead of simply selecting one side of an issue.
It can be viewed by an alpha list, or using an advanced search by category or issue. It offers both sides of controversial topics and events, without bias. Each issue offers and overview, current view and outlook, discussion, articles, media/visuals/maps/flags, documents, facts and figures, as well as a timeline and glossary of terms. Issues: Understanding Controversy and Society reflects our values and aspirations as a country, and provides a microscope from which it can be viewed.
Issues: Understanding Controversy and Society provides continuously updated and brand-new content, with over 150 of today's most significant issues, and access to 7,000 articles and 4,500 multimedia primary sources. It has an Analyze section broken down into categories of: gender & ethnicity, international & world, law & criminal justice, nature & environment, politics & government, science & technology, and society & culture. All ask an essential question and then go about responding from various viewpoints on controversial subjects so that students can develop a well-rounded understanding before making an educated decision.
Critical EvaluationSchool Library Journal named ABC-CLIO databases as one of the Best Digital Resources for students. Students have found this database to be more comprehensive than any pro/con books that I can provide that aren't as up-to-date. They really like the search feature, which allows them to narrow down or expand their topic or interest of study. The format is intuitive for students, and they appreciate that it provides both APA and MLA format citations at the bottom of every reference.
GenreCurrent Events and Issues - Social Psychology
Curriculum TiesIssues: Understanding Controversy and Society has worked brilliantly for our combined biology and English 10 students who study and debate bio-ethics topics such as abortion, alcohol abuse, bioterrorism, cosmetic surgery, euthanasia, food safety, genetic engineering, human trafficking, medical marijuana, obesity, polygamy, teen pregnancy, water quality, and the list goes on and on.
Reading Level / Interest LevelMiddle & High School / YA
AwardsAward of Excellence, 2008 - Tech and LearningEducation Software Review Award, 2008 - CompuEd GazetteBest Educational Software Award, 2007 & 2008 - Social Studies Web Site - CompuEd Gazette
Why Included & Selection ToolsThis is one of thirteen ABC-CLIO databases I won access to for half of last year and all of this year, and one of the top two as determined by my students because they have found everything they’ve been looking for and didn’t have to deal with bias or advertising. They trust the information they find, especially like the media-rich primary resources that provide the information necessary for them to draw their own conclusions as to which side of the controversy they support.
Library Journal, Booklist, Library Media Connection
Name
Berg Fashion Library (Oxford University Press - subscription database)
URL http://www.bergfashionlibrary.com/
ISBN: 978-0-19-537733-0
Content Summary
Berg Fashion Library is a popular database that provides a constantly evolving look at fashion through the ages, and around the world, as it contains 760 in-depth articles written by over 600 international experts. Understanding how people dress themselves is the key to understanding who people are and how they live. Searchable by place or time, the collection offers images, articles explaining countries, themes, cultural groups and types of dress. “Snapshots” offer a microscopic view of specialty situation and case studies.
Because fashion is symbolic of one’s culture, this database provides an entry into access all aspects of dress and fashion from pre-history to present day, which is key to understanding different peoples and cultures
Berg Fashion Library provides tri-annual updates, such as specialty articles on African print textiles, film and fashion, global denim, history of the purse up to 1930, gold and silver jewelry, technology and fashion, and the silk industry.
Critical Evaluation
I had wanted to purchase the 10-volume set, I was highly disappointed that they would produce such an extensive fashion collection only to sell it short by placing only black & white photos in the print edition last summer, upon its release from Oxford University Press. The only redeeming factor was a full-year complimentary subscription to the online Berg Fashion Library, which offered the Encyclopedia set online again with black & white photos. I do not fully understand how one can appreciate the minute details of fashion and interpret the meaning of style, cut, and color (which often has huge significance!) if all the resources are provided in black & white. The one saving grace is the colour image bank, but considering the number of photos throughout this 3.6 million word set – one would think they would have printed the set in black & white and used all color for the website as it doesn’t cost a penny more for color online.
As a resource, the quick and advanced search features make for easy access to the content, a combination of search and browse tools allow more refined search results, and Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) are available ensure that information can be found more reliably and referenced accurately.
I especially like the “Snapshot” which is much more extensive that I expected, and offers both references and further reading list at the end of each. The “Explore by Time” feature allows access through time periods selected, and offers a wide view of the fashions for that period and includes multiple views of each item as well as information on the designer, materials used, and where/for whom it was created.
Genre
Curriculum Ties
Reading Level / Interest Level
Ages 12 and up / YA
Awards
Dartmouth Medal, 2011
Frankfurt Book Fair Digital Award, 2011
Why Included & Selection Tools
Every year, I have students interested in fashion design and others who want to learn more about theatrical costumes of different time periods and how they can adapt them for current use. This is the kind of database that can provide the specific information a fashion-minded student is seeking and then like a maze, allow him or her to wander and discover so much more inspiring new creativity.
Library Journal, Booklist, The New York Public Library, University College London, Royal Shakespeare Company, Museum of London, Northwestern University
Name
Issues: Understanding Controversy and Society
(ABC-CLIO subscription database)
(ABC-CLIO subscription database)
URL
ISBN: 978-1-598-84047-6
Content Summary
Issues: Understanding Controversy and Society is a popular database that supports an in-depth look at how society shapes and is shaped by controversial issues, using both primary and secondary sources. It allows students to make connections between the major news events and their historical roots. One can dig deeper to find the story behind the issues, and some of the enduring elements considered by scholars over time. In theory, this should allow students to begin to better frame the questions they as, and allow them to make connections instead of simply selecting one side of an issue.
It can be viewed by an alpha list, or using an advanced search by category or issue. It offers both sides of controversial topics and events, without bias. Each issue offers and overview, current view and outlook, discussion, articles, media/visuals/maps/flags, documents, facts and figures, as well as a timeline and glossary of terms. Issues: Understanding Controversy and Society reflects our values and aspirations as a country, and provides a microscope from which it can be viewed.
Issues: Understanding Controversy and Society provides continuously updated and brand-new content, with over 150 of today's most significant issues, and access to 7,000 articles and 4,500 multimedia primary sources. It has an Analyze section broken down into categories of: gender & ethnicity, international & world, law & criminal justice, nature & environment, politics & government, science & technology, and society & culture. All ask an essential question and then go about responding from various viewpoints on controversial subjects so that students can develop a well-rounded understanding before making an educated decision.
Critical Evaluation
School Library Journal named ABC-CLIO databases as one of the Best Digital Resources for students. Students have found this database to be more comprehensive than any pro/con books that I can provide that aren't as up-to-date. They really like the search feature, which allows them to narrow down or expand their topic or interest of study. The format is intuitive for students, and they appreciate that it provides both APA and MLA format citations at the bottom of every reference.
Genre
Genre
Current Events and Issues - Social Psychology
Curriculum Ties
Issues: Understanding Controversy and Society has worked brilliantly for our combined biology and English 10 students who study and debate bio-ethics topics such as abortion, alcohol abuse, bioterrorism, cosmetic surgery, euthanasia, food safety, genetic engineering, human trafficking, medical marijuana, obesity, polygamy, teen pregnancy, water quality, and the list goes on and on.
Reading Level / Interest Level
Reading Level / Interest Level
Middle & High School / YA
Awards
Award of Excellence, 2008 - Tech and Learning
Education Software Review Award, 2008 - CompuEd Gazette
Best Educational Software Award, 2007 & 2008 - Social Studies Web Site - CompuEd Gazette
Why Included & Selection Tools
This is one of thirteen ABC-CLIO databases I won access to for half of last year and all of this year, and one of the top two as determined by my students because they have found everything they’ve been looking for and didn’t have to deal with bias or advertising. They trust the information they find, especially like the media-rich primary resources that provide the information necessary for them to draw their own conclusions as to which side of the controversy they support.
Library Journal, Booklist, Library Media Connection
Library Journal, Booklist, Library Media Connection
Berg Fashion Library (Oxford University Press - subscription database)
URL http://www.bergfashionlibrary.com/
ISBN: 978-0-19-537733-0
ISBN: 978-0-19-537733-0
Content Summary
As a one-year complimentary site for purchasing Oxford University Press’s Encyclopedia of World Dress and Fashion 10-volume set or to subscribe directly, Berg Fashion Library is a portal to e-books, eJournals, references, and writings on dress, fashion, and human adornment. It includes a colour image bank containing some of the world’s most renowned fashion collections from the London College of Fashion, MoMu Fashion Museum of Belgium, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute; 2,000 of which are rare and have never been published.
Berg Fashion Library is a popular database that provides a constantly evolving look at fashion through the ages, and around the world, as it contains 760 in-depth articles written by over 600 international experts. Understanding how people dress themselves is the key to understanding who people are and how they live. Searchable by place or time, the collection offers images, articles explaining countries, themes, cultural groups and types of dress. “Snapshots” offer a microscopic view of specialty situation and case studies.
Because fashion is symbolic of one’s culture, this database provides an entry into access all aspects of dress and fashion from pre-history to present day, which is key to understanding different peoples and cultures
Berg Fashion Library provides tri-annual updates, such as specialty articles on African print textiles, film and fashion, global denim, history of the purse up to 1930, gold and silver jewelry, technology and fashion, and the silk industry.
Critical Evaluation
I had wanted to purchase the 10-volume set, I was highly disappointed that they would produce such an extensive fashion collection only to sell it short by placing only black & white photos in the print edition last summer, upon its release from Oxford University Press. The only redeeming factor was a full-year complimentary subscription to the online Berg Fashion Library, which offered the Encyclopedia set online again with black & white photos. I do not fully understand how one can appreciate the minute details of fashion and interpret the meaning of style, cut, and color (which often has huge significance!) if all the resources are provided in black & white. The one saving grace is the colour image bank, but considering the number of photos throughout this 3.6 million word set – one would think they would have printed the set in black & white and used all color for the website as it doesn’t cost a penny more for color online.
As a resource, the quick and advanced search features make for easy access to the content, a combination of search and browse tools allow more refined search results, and Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) are available ensure that information can be found more reliably and referenced accurately.
I especially like the “Snapshot” which is much more extensive that I expected, and offers both references and further reading list at the end of each. The “Explore by Time” feature allows access through time periods selected, and offers a wide view of the fashions for that period and includes multiple views of each item as well as information on the designer, materials used, and where/for whom it was created.
Genre
Multicultural Fashion
Curriculum Ties
This resource is perfect for any student studying fashion and textiles, art history, anthropology, sociology, folklore, theatre, museum studies or cultural studies.
Reading Level / Interest Level
Ages 12 and up / YA
Awards
Dartmouth Medal, 2011
Frankfurt Book Fair Digital Award, 2011
Bookseller FutureBook Award for Best Website, 2011
Association of Learned and Professional Society Publishers (ALPSP) Highly Commended Certificate for Publishing Innovation, 2011
Why Included & Selection Tools
Every year, I have students interested in fashion design and others who want to learn more about theatrical costumes of different time periods and how they can adapt them for current use. This is the kind of database that can provide the specific information a fashion-minded student is seeking and then like a maze, allow him or her to wander and discover so much more inspiring new creativity.
Library Journal, Booklist, The New York Public Library, University College London, Royal Shakespeare Company, Museum of London, Northwestern University
