Grafton Public Library

Database of the Month: Encyclopedia Britannica for all ages

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Encyclopedia Britannica, available anywhere in MA or from out of state with your Library card via mass.gov/libraries, offers universal access and works on all devices from computer to smart phone. The responsive nature of the web design means the layout will change depending on screen size to maximize the user experience and helps to ensure easy navigation.

Britannica separates their content into three levels of access:

Reading levels are easy to adjust. If you are searching and feel you need to adjust the level, you can do so by clicking on the levels tab and continue your search.

Britannica is much more that an encyclopedia alone. Through their database, you are able to access:

  • 123,000 encyclopedia articles
  • The Merriam Webster Dictionary
  • Downloadable videos that you can embed into your projects
  • A world atlas
  • Journals & magazines
  • Primary source data
  • Thousands of images
  • Searching with Britannica is easy with popular and recommended search terms.

The World Atlas allows users to search locations all over the world and will give you the option to see the Google Street View. Many historical buildings will allow you to view interior shots in addition to the street views. Within the World Atlas, you can “Tour the USA” for state specific research.

Behind the News gives information on recent news articles, plus information behind the headlines. On This Day and In Their Words options are also available.

You can sign up for a My Britannica account. With My Britannica, you can:

  • Cite sources
  • Translate a page
  • Read to you with highlighted text
  • Change font size
  • Save videos, pictures, and article
  • Create and share folders
  • Save searches and add notes for future review

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Britannica has a separate children’s homepage with activities, such as Word Well, What Does It Mean, and Do You Know (with video clip). The chunking/sectioning of the page design was created to allow for a more child friendly user experience. Levels can be changed from searches started on the Children’s Homepage as well.

There is a “drawer” located at the bottom of the Children’s Homepage designed to engage children and expose them to topics they may not be familiar with, for example, you can browse by habitat. The Geography Explorer game is also available from the Homepage and helps to cement geographic concepts.

Additional resources offered through Britannica:

  • Spanish Reference Center
  • Escolar Online – Younger Users
  • Enciclopedia Moderna – Older Users
  • World Data Analyst
  • Ranked stats
  • Highest and lowest
  • Annals of American History
  • Choose by time period and era
  • Research How To

Having trouble with Britannica? Stop in for a free lesson, or schedule a time to sit down one on one with a staff member for help.

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