Encyclopedias

About Encyclopedias

Encyclopedias can be a very good way to find useful information. However, it is important to know something about the encyclopedia you choose to use. Some encyclopedias are free, others have costs associated. Some have content that is more reliable than others, and there may advertising.

It is important to understand that the best encyclopedias present some of the biggest issues for younger children, unless they are specifically geared for children. Even then, of course, there may be issues, as your standards may very well not match those of the Editorial Team of the encyclopedia. This is true of both on and off-line encyclopedias.

The two main issues that come up with encyclopedias are inappropriate content and inappropriate pictures. If you are using an off-line, computer based encyclopedia, check out what kinds of settings the software has available to allow you to control things; many give you some level of control of images. If you are using an on-line encyclopedia, use your browser's features, or add-ons, to try to control what shows up.

Major Encyclopedias

Some important notes

• Being listed here is not a recommendation.
• A site may not advertise in the general way, but it will try to sell its own products (eg the print version of the encyclopedia)
• The paid encyclopedias usually have off line versions as well, on CD / DVD or in print, which don't require internet access. (Many of the computer based version versions are actually affordable.)