Top Shelf

by Mark Hammond and Ann Willard, SWC Librarians

Welcome to Top Shelf - a guide to some of the best, most useful resources out there, selected by SWC Librarians. Thanks to Mark and Ann for their contributions this week!

Book Selection
Encyclopedia Judaica
Reference BM50 .E5 2007

This is one of those major reference works that sits there on the shelf until it becomes part of the furniture. But it is a treasure trove of entries on people and topics that are addressed in less depth or from a different viewpoint (or not addressed at all in more mainstream encyclopedias). Try looking up the same topic in this and in the Catholic Encyclopedia!
-Mark

Website Selection
http://www.tripadvisor.com
Trip Advisor

Tripadvisor is a 'trusted network' of over 5 million travelers who write reviews and rate their experiences on places they have visited. This includes reviews of lodging, restaurants, and special events such as a sunset luau in Kauai or a bus ride in Denali Park in Alaska. I find Tripadvisor tremendously helpful in making my decisions on whether a particular park lodge or B&B or sailing trip, etc. fits my personality, budget, and profile for a particular trip I am planning. To contribute reviews you must sign up for the network, but anyone can read the reviews. All reviews are read by the Tripadvisor staff before they are posted to ensure the reviews meet their criteria. Reviewers can include photos of the trip they have taken and rate the lodging, or whatever they are reviewing, on a 1-5 scale, with 5 being a top notch place and experience. Recently Tripadvisor enabled its members to set up a mini network within Tripadvisor of friends and family. I also have an email alert set up to tell me whenever new reviews are posted on places I am going in the next couple years. And there is lots more on this site besides the reviews! Once you take a look at this site you will never plan a trip again without consulting Tripadvisor.
-Ann