KNOXVILLE — From Johnny Cash to the Civil War, the free online version of the Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture 2.0, boasts video, audio and an interactive feature.
The print edition of the Tennessee Encyclopedia appeared in 1998 and the original online version that went up in 2002 had a book-like format. Version 2.0 has the look and feel of a website.
“You can easily search and find things instead of flipping through a book,” said Scot Danforth, director of UT Press. Tennessee is only the second state to have a free online version of a state encyclopedia.
The new website, launched last month, provides general information about the state in a user-friendly format for students, teachers, researchers and general information seekers.
Danforth said Tennessee Encyclopedia Version 2.0 contains more than 50 new entries and the ability to make corrections without having to print a new edition.
Hundreds of professors from across the country and the globe contributed entries to the encyclopedia.
UT Press received funding from the Tennessee state legislature to help produce the encyclopedia as a service for people in and out of the state. UT Press partnered with the Tennessee Historical Society to put this encyclopedia together. While the historical society did most of the editing, the Press put the version online.
Chad Pelton, a UT Press book designer, also helped design the website.
“I think the encyclopedia brings the university and UT Press a lot of visibility,” Danforth said. “The great thing is that the information has gone through a rigorous peer review process and thus provides high-quality information.”
Danforth notes that many online version users of the encyclopedia are high school students, citing huge hits in April, May, November and December when term papers are due.
To access the Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture 2.0, visit the website at http://tennesseeencyclopedia.net.
C O N T A C T :
Amy Blakely, (865-974-5034, amy.blakely@tennessee.edu)