Library media specialists may not be aware that publisher Marshall Cavendish's beautiful and highly regarded reference sets are moving toward providing reasonably priced online reference tools. This move comes because Marshall Cavendish Reference learned that it is better to control the entire online enterprise from content to search engine/interface after its ill-fated joint online product Wildlife Reference Center with EBSCO (see SLMAM, October 2003). The publisher's new Marshall Cavendish Digital (MC Digital) collection is an exciting resource for all schools.

This review is based on a beta version of the earliest release of the product in the fall of 2006. The resources included in this version were limited to three sets that cover most of the sciences. The Encyclopedia of Life Sciences (2nd ed., 2004) includes more than 470 articles on medicine, zoology, ecology, genetics, human and animal behavior, and related biographies. The Encyclopedia of Earth and Physical Sciences (2nd ed., 2006) covers chemistry, geography, geology, math, weather, physics and space sciences, and biographies. These two sets have been widely and enthusiastically reviewed for both school and public libraries. The third set, Animal and Plant Anatomy (2007), focuses on the anatomy and physiology of more than eighty species and provides information for comparisons and understanding of the diversity of life and its adaptation to various environments. In all three sets, signed articles are supplemented with incredible photographs, drawings, glossaries, and fact boxes. The print versions are replete with multiple indices and extensive tables of contents, so access to the information in the set has always been good; the new search engine succeeds in making access even easier.

Other reference sets will be added gradually to MC Digital with coverage expanding to technology, health, social studies, and more science. Optimistically, all of the MC reference sets may become available online. Most sets are appropriate for middle and high school students, and some of the upcoming titles are appropriate for upper elementary as well.

Searching the collection reminds me of the "perfect search engine" question on my reference final exam. It is as if the designers of this search engine/interface looked at lots of other examples, corrected the imperfections, and then selected the good features. The result is a clean first search page with the obligatory keyword quick search box and an option for an advanced search. These searches are across all content. Below the box (and using most of the screen) are options to browse by category (broad topics) or by set. Choosing either option leads to a "search within box" and to possibilities of searching articles A-Z or searching drawings, photos, maps, timelines, or primary sources, which can also be "searched within." The title option includes, in addition, a hierarchical subject search, so one goes from title to subject search (general) to subject search (specific). Searches that result in large hits include arrows to the next screen and "abc" letter buttons to make searching quick and easy. Each hit is ranked by relevance, and sidebars display media options. An advanced search on the first page allows even quicker access to the same limiters as well as Boolean searches with a built-in Help button.

When an article is selected, search terms are highlighted although this feature can be toggled off. Pull-down boxes at the top (and out of the way) access an article outline with hyperlinks to move quickly around in the article, a print choice (page or whole article, text only, or illustrations too), an email address box, a dictionary/thesaurus search box, and a citation sample with style choices. There is also a bookmark option and a text box to use for taking notes. These two latter options are saved in a student's folder. A separate row of thumbnail illustrations are clickable to allow quick access to them and the part of the article that discusses each.

Navigation is totally within the database with path routes, back buttons, top of page buttons and a constant home page option. Font size choices are offered at the beginning of every article, so there is no need to go back to the browser. The articles are written clearly with good headings and labeling. Most begin with a context and definition followed by the introduction to the topic. Fact boxes, relationship boxes, and extension boxes are spread throughout the articles.

The best part, however, is the glorious photographs. They are clear, crisp, and colorful and all too lifelike. I wasn't remotely prepared for the intrusion of cockroaches that appeared on my screen. Nor did I zoom, pan, save, or print the photo, although these options are available from a toolbar that automatically appears over the illustrations. The dolphins all but jumped off the screen onto my desk. Almost all the photographs, drawings, and diagrams in the print set are available in the online version with the exception of some for which digital rights could not be obtained, and those are replaced with others. Pictures loaded quickly both on cable modem and T1 line connections.

The collection is compatible with most browsers, and metasearch capabilities are promised. MC Digital plans quarterly updates with important changes in health and medicine updated more frequently. Remote access with unlimited simultaneous users is the standard. Local libraries do have some control over features. For example, it is a local decision on how long to keep content in student folders, and each library has access to usage statistics.

Reliable text written in simple style with boxed information bits, gorgeous photos, and useful drawings all accessed with ease, speed, and clarity is what all school online products should be about. Students will want to use the MC Digital collection for both research and personal interest. Teachers can use the pictures as project starters, and library media specialists will appreciate the collection as a great reference tool.

Barbara Ripp Safford is Associate Professor at the School Library Media Studies, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls. She has been a middle school and elementary school library media specialist in Maryland, a high school media specialist in Ohio, and a public library director in Pennsylvania.