Synopses & Reviews
In response to the often-cited need to improve science literacy in the United States, this book examines how popular science information resources contribute to this goal and recommends nearly 2,500 significant titles—70 percent published since 1990—representing all fields of modern science. This guide provides librarians, educators, and other information specialists with an understanding of science literacy, as well as the knowledge of the skills and principles necessary to evaluate works of popular science. The annotated bibliographies are organized into nine subject areas and represent the body of current, significant popular literature for the entire discipline, including reference works, autobiography and biography, history of the discipline, and specific topics within the discipline. Nonprint resources are evaluated as well. This work will be valuable for collection development, making reference recommendations, and designing programmatic learning activities and is intended for public, high school, community college, and college and university librarians, as well as for science teachers.
Librarians and information specialists must develop representative collections and be able to evaluate and recommend scientific information resources effectively. This work is unique in developing a unifying contextual background and linking popular science library collections to science literacy. Part One, Scientific Information, Popular Science, and Lifelong Learning, discusses historical and current issues related to popular science, science literacy, and information resources. Included is the most exhaustive discussion available of how to evaluate works of popular science. Part Two, Subject Guides to Popular Information Resources, is an annotated bibliography of 2,500 recommended print and nonprint works in general science, astronomy and space sciences, biological sciences, chemistry, mathematics, medicine and health sciences, natural history, physics, and technology and applied science. Each core entry contains a complete bibliographic citation, a 25-75 word descriptive and evaluative annotation, and a list of review sources. Annotations consider the resource's level of relevance, scope, comprehensibility, and uniqueness, and compare resources, especially the ways in which they complement or contrast with one another. Additional recommended titles contain a brief annotation.
Review
Sapp believes reading popular nonfiction is an important way for high-school students and adult learners to acquire knowledge about science. This book examines nearly 2,500 titles, about 70 percent of which have been published since 1990. Most comparable works emphasize reference materials rather than popular-science nonfiction. Public and high-school libraries should consider [this book] for their collections.Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin
Review
The need for what is called "science literacy," or the science knowledge one needs to understand public issues, has been growing over the years.-This book is an attempt to present sound advice to ease the problem.Library and Information Science
Synopsis
Examines how popular science resources contribute to science literacy and recommends nearly 2,500 significant titles-- 70 percent published since 1990--representing all fields of modern science. "Public and high-school libraries should consider [this book] for their collections." Reference Books Bulletin
Synopsis
This book examines how popular science information resources contribute to the improvement of science literacy in the United States. Sapp recommends nearly 2,500 significant titles--70 percent published since 1990--representing all fields of modern science. This guide provides libraries, educators and other information specialists with an understanding of science literacy, as well as the knowledge of the skills and principles necessary to evaluate works of popular science. The annotated bibliographies are organized into nine subject areas and represent the body of current, significant popular literature for the entire discipline, including reference works, autobiography and biography, history of the discipline, and specific topics within the discipline. Nonprint resources are evaluated as well. This work will be valuable for collection development, making reference recommendations, and designing programmatic learning activities and is intended for public, high school, community college, and college and university librarians, as well as for science teachers.
About the Author
GREGG SAPP, head of Access Services at the University of Miami's Richter Library, writes the annual Library Journal column "Best Sci-Tech Books for General Readers."
Table of Contents
Preface
Scientific Information, Popular Science and Lifelong Learning
Science Literacy, Science Education and Public Life
A Brief History of Scientific Communication
Understanding Popular Science Information Resources
Evaluating Popular Science Information Resources
Subject Guides to Popular Science Information Resources
Introduction
Science -- General
Astronomy and Space Sciences
Biological Sciences
Chemistry
Mathematics
Medicine and Health Sciences
Natural History
Physics
Technology and Applied Sciences