[OPLINLIST] Change to OPLIN's Encyclopedia Britannica link(s)

[Stephen Hedges]

Sometime this week (probably Friday) OPLIN will be making a change to our
Encyclopaedia Britannica links, replacing the two links we currently have
with a single link to the EB Public Library Edition.

The two links that currently appear on the oplin.org/databases page point
to the EB Academic Edition and the EB School Edition. Here is an overview
of all three versions:

        Britannica Online Academic Edition --
includes only EB with no lower-reading-level materials; intended for
colleges and universities

        Britannica Online Public Library Edition --
includes two separate areas for General/Adult Reference and
Children's/Youth services.  The General Reference section includes the
full EB and is virtually identical to the Academic Edition.  Kid's section
includes lower-reading-level encyclopedias and homework help features.

        Britannica Online School Edition  --
similar to the Public Library Edition however split into three levels to
mirror schools' Elementary / Middle / High School breakdown

Having one link to the Public Library Edition clearly seems to be the
cleanest and easiest way to get all the Encyclopaedia Britannica content
to public library patrons.

~ PUBLIC LIBRARY EDITION TRAINING ~

Encyclopaedia Britannica offers free, one-hour online training sessions
that you can attend without having to leave the library. Presentations
will be conducted live by an Expert Britannica Trainer at 12 p.m. Eastern
Time on these upcoming dates:

  - Thursday, August 16th
  - Tuesday, September 11th
  - Thursday, October 18th
  - Tuesday, November 13th
  - Thursday, December 6th

How to sign up: Pick a date and fill out the online registration form at
www.eb.com/webinar. This training is complimentary as part the OPLIN
program. Note that there is a registration deadline one week before the
session, and space is limited, so if you're interested you should sign up
soon.

You can invite others to join you at your computer to watch this
presentation. If you want to invite more people, you can project the
presentation onto a screen in a conference room or computer lab for
everyone to see. Please submit only one registration per location for each
date.

Requirements:
  - Computer (either PC or Mac) with Internet access to view the
presentation.
  - Telephone to hear the presentation (a toll-free number will be
provided). A speakerphone is required if you have a group of people.

Description: Join EB to learn ways to help both children and adults find
answers to their questions and get started on projects, using the new
Britannica Online Public Library Edition. This presentation will cover:
  - New "Kids" section with reference and educational materials for
elementary and middle school students.
  - New Workspace storage tool for patrons to collect their own research
materials for future use.
  - Resources for every subject including History, Geography, Art,
Humanities, Business, Science, and Technology.
  - And much more!

Bring your questions and the Expert Britannica Trainer will be glad to
answer them during this live presentation.

If you have questions about the new link to the EB Public Library Edition,
please contact OPLIN Support: support at oplin.org, 1-888-96-OPLIN, or by
live chat at http://support.oplin.org.


-- 
Stephen Hedges, Executive Director
Ohio Public Library Information Network (OPLIN)
2323 W. 5th Avenue, Suite 130
Columbus, Ohio  43204
614-728-5250    AIM: hedgesst