Infobase is pleased to announce that its Issues & Controversies database has been awarded the LMC/ARBA Best of Reference Award, in both the “Best Electronic Reference” and “Best Overall Reference” categories.

The LMC/ARBA Best of Reference Award recognizes pioneering reference resources that support and encourage K–12 student learning and achievement. Widely recognized for providing credible and critical reviews that enable school librarians to select the best reference sources for student research needs, LMC (Library Media Connection) and ARBA (American Reference Books Annual) hand-selected a panel of judges from their pool of well-regarded reviewers and editors. This expert committee evaluated entries from publishers throughout the K–12 reference market and selected winning entries based on curriculum connections, authority, objectivity, currency, depth of coverage, and organization.

Issues & Controversies has long been known for providing the essential information students and researchers need to analyze an issue, write a research paper, and prepare for a debate. It explores both sides of hundreds of today’s hot-button issues through in-depth articles; thought-provoking, Oxford-style debate videos; original overview videos; interactive polls; printable handouts; discussion questions; current news articles; full coverage of each National High School Debate Topic; and a wealth of curriculum tools. The database is also a Library Journal Best Database, an SIIA CODiE Awards Finalist, and a winner of The ComputED Gazette’s Education Software Review Award (EDDIES) and Best Educational Software Award (BESSIES).

The LMC/ARBA 2015 awards were offically announced at the ALA Annual Conference in San Francisco today, and winners will also be featured in LMC’s September 2015 issue and on their website.