Monday, August 6, 2012

Proquest- Culture Grams



Culture Grams
Publisher/Creator: Proquest

Genre: Global Research Database
Interest Age: 10-adult


About Culture Grams and Critical Evaluation:
Culture Grams is a database with information about different part of the world. When logged on, the researcher has the option to go into four different databases within Culture Grams. There is the World Edition, Kids Edition, States Edition and Provinces Edition. Once the researcher picks one of these, they are brought to a database filled with information about countries, states, or provinces. The databases are colorful and inviting. They are great for reluctant readers because the information is concise and easy to read.

An interesting feature of Culture Grams is that it will read the name of the country or language for you. This adds an interactive component to the database and makes it friendly to all ability levels. One can also hear the country's national anthem or the state's song. This changes the database from solely informational to something that covers different aspect of the culture.

About Proquest:
Proquest bought Culture Grams in 2004 and expanded the database greatly. They are one of the leading information organizing systems in the United States and have many different ways to that information. They have been a successful company for the last 70 years and most libraries have at least one of their databases in their collection.

Proquest is working on a new interface to help people create and store information as well as to find it. This is the new wave in information and they are staying on top of the market. In order to be successful, Proquest has needed to have the latest technology at their disposal to create an environment where information is easily accessible to its users.

http://www.proquest.com/en-US/aboutus/default.shtml
http://online.culturegrams.com/main/aboutus.php

Curriculum Ties:
Research

Book Talking:
N/A

Challenging Issues:
If this database were to be challenged, I would go through the selection process with the challenger as well as explain the rationale for it. There are many good qualities in this publication that could be reason to have it in a collection.

Why Read this:
This database is not just information. It is an entire experience for the researcher to get an idea of how the culture of the region is. When the researcher feels like they can experience the culture, they will learn more about the region as a whole. I think this is a great addition to any library. 

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