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Library Journal,
2003
Reference Reviews, 2002
Choice, 2003
Review from: Library
Journal, March 1,
2003
Librarians have eagerly awaited the second release
of Readers' Guide Retrospective, which now provides indexing for the years
1890-1982. When combined with Readers' Guide Full Text, this results in
more than 110 years of access. The complete retrospective offers nearly
three million citations from nearly 500 journals and is the online
equivalent of 43 Readers' Guide annuals that would take up over 12 feet of
shelf space. The new WilsonWeb interface has been reviewed before in these
pages and will continue to undergo review as it works with different
databases. But it bears mentioning (Ed. note: Again!) that a space in
keyword search statements defaults to OR. This is an issue that the
documentation does not make clear and that will present a real problem for
most searchers. My sense is that most searchers assume a space equals AND,
since it does in so many systems. Wilson says it is eliminating the OR
default.
Entries link to page images from print Readers'
Guide volumes, showing users the original "see" and "see
also" references, plus the complete hierarchy of subject headings and
subheadings. Librarians might find this useful or interesting, but
students are unlikely to take advantage. From the citation, it is possible
to link to entries from a specific issue of a publication or search the
complete database for articles from one publication. It would be helpful
to have easier access to the journal coverage and the years of coverage.
Journal directory information is available, but in a database that covers
92 years, the changes in coverage need to be more immediate and explicit.
The Bottom Line: It is hard to deny the value of Readers' Guide Retrospective, with its combination of easy searching,
access to a potent historical back file, and shelf space savings
potential. Recommended for all libraries–but I strongly urge Wilson to
change that space=OR function.
Reviewed for Library Journal
by Ed Tallent, Reference,
Boston College
Review
from: Reference Reviews, v.16 no. 6 pages 5-6,
March, 2002
The Readers' Guide
Retrospective database indexes a total of 247 periodical titles of
general interest, excluding title changes. At the time of this review, the
database covered material from 1982 back to 1963. The finished product,
which will include additional retrospective data from 1963 back to 1890,
is expected to be available in the fall of 2002. With its comprehensive
indexing, publications covered, and the ability to search the regular Readers'
Guide Index plus the Biography Reference Bank simultaneously,
this resource will be of exceptional value.
A comparison of the electronic
version of the index with its print counterpart shows several
distinctions. Readers' Guide Retrospective is more than simply
retrospective content of Readers' Guide to Periodical Literature,
though that alone would make it popular with those researching
general-interest topics from twentieth century America. The editors at H.W.
Wilson revise the thesaurus daily to cross-reference contemporary
terminology with previously-used terms, and they also retain the original
subject descriptors for items. Two examples in which both the old and new
terminology appear in entries are "Unmarried mothers," which is
currently indexed as "Single mothers," and "Women’s
liberation movement," which is now indexed as "Feminism."
The net effect of this extensive task will be a well-constructed index and
one with the potential to assist researchers through its time-saving
organization.
Editors engage in a
multiple-step accuracy test as print indexes are entered into electronic
files and as they review the electronic version for correctness.
Electronically created texts are run for errors, and a pool of staff
reviewers continuously monitors content.
The database’s search
options are numerous. Each item in a citation is indexed, and as a result
each may be used to construct a search in combination with additional
fields/options. Users may perform basic searches by author, title,
subject, source, and/or physical description. Even illustrations, which
may be a portion of the description, may be used in searching for
pictures. This feature is most valuable for a host of researchers such as
teachers, journalists, and artists. Seventeen search fields are available,
along with help files for each. Some help files have drop-down boxes with
the option to view more specific instructions.
Those considering this index
will find that subscription costs begin at $2000 per annum, but potential
subscribers should check with the publisher for a pricing structure
specific to their organization.
In all, Reader’s Guide
Retrospective exceeds others I’ve reviewed in terms of search
options, accuracy of text, and general reliability. This online periodical
index is very highly recommended.
Jetta Culpepper
Murray State University
Review from: Choice, October 2003
Offering the ability to search full-text journal
articles back to 1994 with indexing back to 1983, the Mega Edition of
Readers' Guide retains some features of the printed edition, including
descriptive abstracts and up-to-date subject headings. It adds, however,
some invaluable features, including images and graphical content, links to
Web sites cited, name and subject authority files, and library holdings
indicators linked to local library OPACs. Search functions include basic,
advanced, natural language, and Boolean. The browse search function is
most valuable, enabling users to conduct either broad or narrow searches
and limit them to document type. Full text is indicated, as are other file
characteristics, e.g., gender, person, place of origin, profession or
activity, race, year of birth.
Deriving from the same source-Wilson's
machine-readable Readers' Guide files-Retrospective provides
the ability to search nearly a century’s articles from more than 375
major magazines and journals back to 1890. It resembles the Mega Edition
closely, making available the same search and browse functions and the
same linkage to local OPACs. Any index to periodicals that extends back
into the 19th century, even for so brief period, deserves attention. Both
sites are valuable sources for public, academic, and special libraries.
Summing Up: Both-highly recommended. All
collections.
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