Literature Resource Center

Bibliographic Information:
 Literature Resource Center via Gale: http://go.galegroup.com/ps/start.do?p=LitRC&u=glendpl_main

Figure 1

About the Database: 

Gale's Literature Resource Center is a great tool for teens to utilize when writing formal English papers or looking for information on an author, poet, or text. When users read through the page, they will notice that they have 1,331,279  documents to search, which means there are plenty or resources for to use. Furthermore, when users first enter this site, they will see the the homepage (figure 1), which provides several search options: Basic Search, Advanced Search, Person Search, Works Search, Gale Literary Index.

Another great aspect about Literature Resource Center is the tools that can be utilized after information retrieval. For example, I conducted a search on William Shakespeare, using the"Person  Search" and found an interesting article about Shakespeare and the database offered a variety of options:

Like most databases, there are options to save searches by bookmarking them in your account or temporarily place them in a list. In the box entitled "Tools," users have a variety of ways to save this article by viewing it as a PDF, HTML text, downloading it straight to the hard drive, and, if applicable, down an MP3. Lastly, this database actually offers users to have their articles formatted by MLA and APA format, which, for some teens, is a real perk since they are just learning how to use this resource.

Critical Evaluation:
After exploring Literature Resource Center (LRC), the one aspect that I enjoyed is how user friendly the database is. Rather than being inundated with many options, LRC streamlines searching by providing several interfaces that are unique since they focus on the subject of the search, which could be the person, a popular work, or a combination of both. Moreover, each of these searches provides specific filters that teens can use to narrow their by the century, ethnicity of the author, the type of article, and audience. What is also great about this database is that students can use this tool as the beginning step of their research using the "Gale Literary Index," which allows the to search for particular articles. According to Gale, "Gale's Literary Index is a master index to the major literature products published by Gale. It combines and cross-references over 165,000 author names, including pseudonyms and variant names, and listings for over 215,000 titles into one source" (para.1).


Reader's Annotation:
Literature Resource Center provides students with articles about popular authors, poets, and works that focus on their lives and achievements.

Information about the Database Company:
Gale, which is a subsidy of Cengage Learning, is one of the leading electronic publishing companies that provides products for libraries, schools, and businesses. Based in Farmington, Michigan, Gale has offices all over the world, which makes it one of the more popular companies in this business. According to Gale, it "[b[est known for its accurate and authoritative reference content as well as its intelligent organization of full-text magazine and newspaper articles, the company creates and maintains more than 600 databases that are published online, in print, as eBooks and in microform" (para. 1).

Among electronic publishing, Gale is also a publishing house where some of its imprint consist of: Macmillian  Reference USA, Charles Scribner's Sons, Primary Source Media,, UXL, Greenhave Press, Lucent Books, Sleeping Bear Press, KidHaven Press, Thorndike Press, Christian Large Print, Wheeler Publishing, Five Star, and Large Print Press.

Genre:
Reference


Curriculum Tie-In's:
As part of the curriculum, teens needs to learn how to use critical thinking skills and through programs such as Literature Resource Center will assist not only with comprehension, but help develop writing skills. In theory, teens should be taught how to research as a Freshman since it will help them develop research skills that should help instances of plagiarism.

Promotion Ideas:
In house workshops are the best way to get the word out about this program. Another way to get the attention of the community, is to work with local teachers who have the ability to bring their classes into the Library. Another option is to speak with school librarians and visit schools to show classes how to use these tools remotely. Either way, there are plenty of ways to get out the word about databases such as advertising and programming.

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up


Challenge Issues:
N/A


Databases Similar to Literature Resource Center:
N/A



Why did I choose this database?
This database is an incredibly asset to the highly used, and popular, About the Author reference set. High school years are the years where teens are exploring classical texts that not only challenge the intellect, but will need additional assistance to learn the theme of a work or what the text is talking about. Furthermore, since this age group is learning to write expository essays, they need information to help them analyze a text to write a concise and persuasive essay.

Awards & Recognition:
N/A

References:
Gale About Us Home. (n.d.). Gale - Home. Retrieved April 06, 2011, from http://www.gale.cengage.com/about/