Description

Why was Reference Universe created?

Most libraries are challenged with maximizing the use of their printed reference materials which is made up primarily of subject encyclopedias.  About 90% of all reference questions get answered by subject encyclodias. With this in mind, Reference Universe was designed to solve this challenge. Reference Universe serves as a bridge for reference librarians and their patrons, between maximizing the use of their local print reference holdings, as well as accessing newer, online reference databases. 

Features and benefits

• Article titles and indexes to 5000+ specialized encyclopedia
• Links to Gale’s Virtual Reference Library, Oxford Reference Online, ABC-CLIO E-Books and other e-resources
• Real time links to your local OPAC to view local holdings matches
• Links to online reviews in ARBA (American Reference Books Annual), BookNews and CHOICE Online

As of September 2004, Reference Universe contains nearly 4 million terms for searching from over 260 large and small reference publishers. The titles in Reference Universe embrace the sciences, medicine, law, the social sciences and the humanities. 

Paratext's experience with other ARL libraries, e.g., Columbia and Northwestern, that currently have access to Reference Universe, is that the hit rate experienced is about 90% against local holdings. This is due both to the acquisition level of ARLs, as well as Paratext's editorial emphasis on books reviewed by ARBA (American Reference Books Annual).  The benefit of such a high hit rate is that the ARL's are making good on their past and current investments of printed reference materials as well as electronic reference works.  The ARL's can now easily access the reference materials they've invested hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years for only a fraction of the cost with Reference Universe.

Target audience

Topics covered

Purchasing

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