Downloads & Free Reading Options - Results

This guide is designed to assist librarians in the selection, acquisition, and use of a core-reference collection. Section 1, "Sources," is an annotated bibliography which focuses on the selection of those works that should constitute the main reference holdings in a small library or a desk (ready-reference) collection in a larger library. Sources have been limited to 76 currently available works which are priced reasonably and judged to be of excellent quality. An additional 50 reference works are cited in 27 notes. Topics covered are: (1) General Works; (2) Biography; (3) Religion; (4) Language; (5) Literature; (6) Visual and Performing Arts; (7) History; (8) Statistics; (9) Political Science and the Law; (10) Geography; (11) Careers and Education; (12) Business; (13) Social Customs, Home Life, and Sports; and (14) Science and Technology. Section 2, "Priority Ratings of Sources," is designed to help small libraries in the acquisition process. The sources listed in the bibliography are divided into 10 groups, with 20 sources, such as almanacs and encyclopedias, arranged according to required frequency of purchase (e.g., annually, biennially). The remaining 59 works are arranged in their order of importance. Section 3, "Reference Works Exercises," is intended for library workers new to the reference staff or more experienced workers who wish to review the use of basic reference tools. Nine exercises, each with an informative introduction, require the use of a variety of reference sources. The guide is indexed by title and subject. (KM)

1Boy Crusoe

By Allan Eric

Also published as" A Yankee Crusoe" . A 15 year old hard working and studious farm boy finds the lure of adventure on the seas as a merchant seaman more than he can resist. This is his story. " I was born in a little town in the State of Maine, near the close of the Civil War. My boyhood life did not differ materially from that of the average farmer's son in the remote country districts of New England--except, perhaps, that I read more and thought more. Hard work on the rugged soil, two terms each year in the little yellow country schoolhouse, a day's fishing now and then filled the early years of my life full to over-flowing. " What he gets is enough excitement and adventure to overflow his wildest dreams. How he experiences disaster and uses his wits and knowledge to overcome every problem makes for a great read. - Summary by Phil Chenevert