The Population Reference Bureau (PRB) is not merely another data collection agency but, rather, a not‐for‐profit organization that is a rich and comprehensive resource providing valuable information on population trends for a wide audience. The PRB's mission “provides timely and objective information on US and international population trends and their implications”. It carries out its mission by collaborating with educators, policymakers, the media and concerned citizens to provide informative publications and workshops that train people on how to collect, interpret and use demographic data effectively. The PRB also actively works with media outlets in an effort to improve coverage on population issues.
Not only does the PRB publish materials on population trends, the organization produces publications on a wide variety of topics, including focus areas of the environment, HIV/AIDS, and the reproductive health field. Some of the more popular PRB publications, such as the World Population Data Sheet, which include the most current demographic data for all countries and regions of the world, are highlighted on the site's main page under top hits. Recent report summaries, such as An Overview of Disability in America, take centre stage on the main page with links to the full reports in PDF format. Also helpful from the main page is a topic list ranging in subjects from aging to rural populations, reports from the six world regions, data by country, and recent news and press releases from the PRB. Offered in English, French and Spanish, the articles and reports are written by PRB staff, academics, government officials, and other experts. These publications are comprehensive and include data, analyses, tables and graphics that advanced students and researchers will find useful.
Another feature on this site that would be helpful to users seeking demographic data is something called DataFinder. This allows a user to access the PRB database that contains 95 demographic variables for more than 220 countries. By selecting a country or region and a number of population and health variables, such as education or employment, the user can create customized data tables. The site also features a Graphics Bank that contains over 100 PowerPoint slides on the PRB's focus areas that are available free of charge. Educators will appreciate links, such as Lesson Plans that include activities for middle to high school age students. Resource Guides, Teaching Standards, and customized readings called Build‐a‐Text, where educators can choose and purchase specific PRB publications (the price ranges from $18‐$40 depending on how many packets are purchased for the Build‐a‐Text), are also very useful.
From a design perspective, the PRB site is straightforward and easy to navigate through the various menu options and pages. It is not cluttered with graphics, pages and PDF files load quickly, there is no registration or fee, no advertising, and each page includes consistent banners that direct the user to the main page links. The site is updated every three weeks with current information. The one shortcoming of the site is its search capabilities, although the PRB clearly notes that the search page is under construction and improvements will soon be made. A brief e‐mail exchange further explained that the revamped search engine will support simple Boolean operators and keyword searching. Currently, the site only has a pull‐down menu choice of pre‐fixed topics and regions.
The intended audience, as well as librarians and researchers, will find the PRB site a valuable and authoritative source not only on population trends but also across disciplines where population impacts global issues.
