Month: November 2016

Public Libraries can be a Health Lifeline for People Most at Risk

Originally posted in Reuters Health by Madeline Kennedy, November 2016 Public libraries can provide vital support for people at high risk for health problems such as new immigrants and people dealing with homelessness, mental illness and substance use, say U.S. researchers. Their analysis of Philadelphia libraries and how communities use them concludes that libraries can … Read more

The Reviews are in, Gale Interactive: Science is a Recommended Resource

Zoom in. Out. Rotate 360 degrees. Imagine what it’s like to face complex science concepts with more knowledge and less fear. Gale Interactive: Science does that by giving middle and high schoolers the power to see science beyond static text through 3D models in over 150 interactive sessions and 60 models to print with a 3D printer. Students and instructors can manipulate and explore 3D models that are paired with reference and periodical content for further understanding. Learners are inspired to achieve the ultimate outcome: discovery.

Gain more knowledge by reading a few quick reviews.

Read moreThe Reviews are in, Gale Interactive: Science is a Recommended Resource

Happy Birthday Louisa May Alcott!

Louisa May Alcott, American author, was born on November 29, 1832, making today the 184th anniversary of her birthday. Alcott is most known for her novel Little Women, but she published many other written works in her lifetime. Her more popular works, like Little Women, were written for the child and young  adult audiences, but Alcott … Read more

Smithsonian Primary Sources in U.S. History: “A Treasure Trove”

History is not just a list of dates and events. But history taught well is vibrant, relevant, and engaging. And nothing brings history to life like primary sources that give students a close-up look at history as it unfolded.

Gale and Smithsonian have partnered to deliver an online resource that includes unique and seminal primary sources, including documents, maps, historical objects, and other materials from the museums and archives from the collections of the Smithsonian and from Gale’s leading digital collections: Smithsonian Primary Sources in U.S. History.

Designed for use by both teachers and librarians, this resource from Gale supports core and Advanced Placement U.S. history programs. Primary source images are hand-curated by scholars at the Smithsonian – experts who have a unique knowledge of U.S. history as seen through the Smithsonian’s valuable collections and shaped for the school curriculum by an advisory board of teachers.

See how a reviewer feels about the collection of Primary Sources.

Read moreSmithsonian Primary Sources in U.S. History: “A Treasure Trove”

Collaboration Benefits Everyone

Helping Librarians and Academic Faculty Work Together to Achieve Optimal Student Outcomes

In a recent article in Against the Grain, Liz Mason, Gale’s Vice President of Product, addresses a big issue in 21st century education. She discusses a 2015 survey that showed there was a disconnect between academic librarians and faculty. The results revealed that a significant number of faculty members saw no need to consult with librarians and only half used librarians as a resource on matters of curricula when planning courses.

Read moreCollaboration Benefits Everyone

The Telegraph Historical Archive, 1855-2000: A “Must-have”

Provide multi-disciplinary research with a fully-searchable digital archive of what was once the world’s largest selling newspaper. The Telegraph Historical Archive, 1855-2000 provides a fascinating picture of politics, society, and culture through approximately one million pages of the newspaper’s backfile. Offering a balance of personal interest stories alongside incisive analysis, The Telegraph Historical Archive, 1855-2000 delivers a fascinating glimpse into daily life as it was experienced over the past 150 years.

Get more details with a review:

Read moreThe Telegraph Historical Archive, 1855-2000: A “Must-have”

7 Primary Source Documents to Read this Thanksgiving

In the article “Thanksgiving — Our American Festival” from the November 1895 issue of American Kitchen Magazine you can get tips on how to prepare the day before Thanksgiving, instructions for cooking dinner, and even includes some recipes and dish suggestions.     If you’re in the mood for some fiction you can read the harrowing short story “Muriel’s … Read more

China from Empire to Republic is a “Preferred Tool”

Provide researchers with unique, firsthand accounts of the cultural interactions and conflicts that gave rise to today’s modern China with China from Empire to Republic:  Missionary, Sinology and Literary Periodicals 1817-1949 Archive. These periodicals illuminate the thoughts of Chinese intellectuals and Westerners, mainly missionaries, about China – and, more importantly, their efforts to understand and study Chinese history, culture, language, and literature.

Read the very first review on this enticing archive:

Read more China from Empire to Republic is a “Preferred Tool”

Philosophy: Sources, Perspectives, and Methodologies “Inspires Curiosity”

Looking to support researchers’ knowledge in philosophy? Philosophy: Sources, Perspectives, and Methodologies, a valuable primer in the study of philosophy, provides the philosophical information students need. By employing literature, film, art, history, and other disciplines, the twenty-seven thematic chapters identify areas of critical thought and practice in the philosophical study.

Read the review:

Read morePhilosophy: Sources, Perspectives, and Methodologies “Inspires Curiosity”

Librarianship and Democracy: Creating an Informed Citizenry – Information Space

Democracy is one of the core values of the American Library Association[1], and, as such, is one of the major values that underlies the contemporary practice of librarianship. I have had issues with democracy being included as one of the core values of the library profession. Not because I don’t believe or support democracy—I do. … Read more