Almanacs

1. Almanacs Gives current facts on many subjects (Comes from al-manaak= horoscopes) annual publication containing tabular information in a particular field or fields often arranged according to the calendar . Astronomical data and various statistics are also found in almanacs, such as the times of the rising and setting of the sun and moon , eclipse s, hours of full tide , stated festivals of church es, terms of courts, lists of all types, timelines, and more. The word almanac comes from the Arabic al-manaakh , "the climate," reflecting its primary original purpose of providing information about the calendar and weather useful in agriculture.

2. Features • Answer quickly on questions like: dates, facts, times, amounts, etc. • Note the first page: ‘list of contents” for types of topics covered. • Index at the front of the book and a “Quick Reference Index” at the very back. • Published yearly with the most up-to-date information. For • For current information (people, events, entertainment, science, sports, etc.) go to the most recent edition. • For historical data older books are okay.

3. Topics covered in the almanacs • geography , government , demographics , agriculture , economics and business , health and medicine , religion , mass media , transportation , science and technology , sport , and award s/ prize s. • Printed almanacs • Information Please Almanac • Whitaker's Almanack (1868-present) • The World Almanac and Book of Facts (1868-1876, 1886-present) • Encyclopædia Britannica Book of the Year (?-present) • Canadian Global Almanac ( 1992 -present), a book of facts about Canada and the world • Many U.S. State s print a " Blue Book ," which contains factual information about that particular state. Topics covered in these books frequently include but are not limited to: biographies of important state officials, text of the Governor 's most recent State of the State (or Commonwealth) message, budget figures for the most recent fiscal year , data pertaining to state agencies and offices, and information regarding the state's culture and institutions. They are often available for little or no cost and most public libraries carry a copy. • Online almanacs • Information Please • CIA World Factbook

4. Difference between an almanac and a dictionary • An almanac is organized by topics (sports, arts and culture, entertainment, etc) according to the calendar. Information is found first in the index • A dictionary is organized in alphabetical order. Does not contain data about facts.

5. Difference between an almanac and encyclopedia • Search an almanac if brief, factual answers are needed • Or search for an encyclopedia for more complete, general information on a topic. • Entries are generally longer than in an almanac, directory, or dictionary. Encyclopedia entries (articles) are in alphabetic order.

6. Vocabulary: keywords • Scanning • Looking for a specific fact or word. • Useful when you are searching through a chart or table for a certain number, date, name, or other specific fact. • Skimming • Reading quickly to find general ideas • Look for typographical cues, printing changes like boldface and italics. • Chronology= record of events listed in the order in which they occurred (they can be indicated in a timeline). • Statistics

7. Which reference source? • Chemistry--Dictionaries • Shipwrecks--Encyclopedias. • Almanacs--Ohio. • Landscape gardening--United States--Handbooks, manuals, etc. 

8. Almanac Index • ----------------U----------------- • Ukraine, 62-63 • map, 75; flag, 80 • United Kingdom. See Great Britain • United States, 214-280 • capital of, 275 • Constitution, 216-217 • earthquakes, 103 • hottest and coldest places, 283 • maps, 67, 248 • parks, 278-280 • presidents, 226-233 • time zones, 210 • vice presidents, 226 • Utah • facts about, 271 • maps, 248, 253 • parks. See United States. • ----------------V----------------- • Valentine’s Day, 116 • Van Buren, Martin, 226, 228 • Vermont • facts about, 271 • maps, 241, 249 • Vice presidents. See United States • Videos and video games, 140