Children's Book Database Now Available Online
The College of Education and UA Libraries are collaborating to launch a searchable Internet database of the World of Words, one of the nation's largest collections of international children's books.

By La Monica Everett-Haynes, University Communications
Aug. 27, 2010


Anyone in the world with an Internet connection will now be able to access a database of the world’s largest collection of international children’s books.

The World of Words: International Collection of Children’s and Adolescent Literature library database now is available online though a new agreement at the University of Arizona.

"The University Libraries are committed to creating seamless access to all campus collections," said Carla Stoffle, dean for University Libraries and the Center for Creative Photography.

On Wednesday, Stoffle signed a memorandum of agreement with Ronald W. Marx, dean of the UA College of Education, which houses the library.

The agreement will allow people – students, researchers, teachers and others – to search the library's collection, which consists of more than 30,000 books. 

The College of Education will regularly provide the UA Libraries with information on new titles added to the collection, and the UA Libraries will maintain records of the library's offerings. 

"Through the Libraries’ online database, the ICCAL is now open to a global audience of  teachers, librarians, faculty, researchers and students," Stoffle said. "This expanded reach presents a powerful opportunity for supporting K-12 education both locally and around the world."

Also, the library, which was formerly located in the basement of the UA College of Education, is now located on the fourth floor, allowing for easier access and more space for its users. The library's staff also maintains a blog.

In 2007, ICCAL's staff launched an initiative to offer classes, workshops and open reading hours to help educators and community members learn how to infuse teachings about the world’s cultures in their classrooms, programs and homes.

Kathy Short, the library's director, is a language, reading and culture professor who has long helped educators to develop curricula that actively engages students, particularity as readers and culturally aware individuals.  

"This agreement insures that the wonderful resources assembled by professor Short in the World of Words collection will be accessible to students, teachers, parents and scholars around the world," Marx said.  

"Our commitment in the College of Education is to make a difference in the lives of children and families," he added, "and our collaboration with the UA Library will increase our chances of success."

Extra info

The World of Words library is open for reading hours Mondays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Saturdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

 

The library staff and UA students will be hosting Rosemary Wells, author of the preschool series Max and Ruby, as a guest lecturer. The Oct. 20 class, which is open to all educators, will be held at 7 p.m. on the fourth floor of the UA education building.

 

Also, the library will be involved in the third annual Tucson Festival of Books, which will be held March 12-13. 

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Ana Luisa Terrazas

UA College of Education

520-626-3473

anat@u.arizona.edu