Landmark Documents in American History. Version 2.0

Citation

Hupp, S.L. (1999), "Landmark Documents in American History. Version 2.0", OCLC Systems & Services: International digital library perspectives, Vol. 15 No. 1, pp. 54-55. https://doi.org/10.1108/oclc.1999.15.1.54.2

The World Wide Web provides wonderful access to a vast range of materials, at the price of both limited organization and the ease of use found in well‐designed programs. Landmark Documents in American History, version 2, is an excellent example of a value‐added program’s superiority over the Web. Many Web sites contain documents, laws, treaties, and other materials. However, this CD‐ROM provides an easy‐to‐use search engine coupled with links to supplementary materials not available on many Web sites. The end result produces an easy‐to‐use database appropriate for many libraries and reference questions.

As with most Facts on File programs, the CD‐ROM installs quickly and easily on IBM compatible and Macintosh PCs. Instructions for both single unit and network installation appear with the program. Searching instructions are found in the well‐designed help screens on the program.

The main screen contains links to four search modes plus supplementary materials. Documents included in the system range from the privileges granted to Christopher Columbus by Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain in 1492, through the 1997 tobacco manufacturer’s settlement. Users search documents by subject, historical period, or individuals connected with the document. Each search method uses a type‐ahead search engine which matches entered terms with the index of headings and names, then displays the closest alphabetical match. Users then select a document from the list and click on the “show selection” icon to display the text. Also, users may browse the three indexes to select the materials.

Each document screen also contains links to supplementary materials, divided into four sections. The Introduction section provides brief background information for each document, placing the materials in proper historical context. A biography section contains well‐written biographical materials on the key individuals connected with the document. Bibliographies of key works related to the document appear in the further readings area. The multimedia section contains pictures and video clips of people, places, and events concerning the document. Finally, the related documents area takes users to related documents and supplementary materials. Users may also search these four areas independently by accessing the links found on the opening screen. All documents and supporting materials may be downloaded or printed.

Along with the basic searching and browsing modes, the program contains an advanced search mode. Users may search by keyword, document type, subject, historical period, person, and country. All search fields contain links to the online index for selecting search terms. Another useful feature appearing on the program is a link to the Facts on File American History Weblinks site. Listed under the “options” menu, this link takes users to a page of selected, high‐quality American history Websites. Obviously, this feature requires network installation on PCs equipped with Web browsers.

Again, many of the documents appearing on this program are also on such Web sites as the Library of Congress’s American Memory site (memory.loc.gov/ammem) or the University of Kansas’s Documents for the Study of American History (history.cc.ukans.edu/ carrie/docs/ amdoc_index.html). However, it is the ease of use and access to supplementary materials that makes Landmark Documents in American History the superior choice for locating such materials in electronic format. School, public and academic libraries will all benefit from this well‐designed database.