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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.

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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

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:

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Literary Reflections on Thanksgiving

Readers who seek insight into the meaning of Thanksgiving can find a generous serving of literary criticism on the topic in the digital pages of Literature Criticism Online. Perhaps unsurprisingly, authors have found in the holiday a fruitful setting for explorations of family dysfunction and ruminations on the American national character. 

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Energy: In Context: “Useful Across the Curriculum”

Provide middle school students with more on a subject that impacts lives and economies across the globe: energy! Energy: In Context fosters the understanding of energy science, while also exploring the social, political, economic, and cultural factors that impact how we find, use, store, and waste energy. With 50 primary source documents, along with 270 color images, illustrations, and other graphics, Energy: In Context will be your one-stop source for all things energy.

Still not convinced? Read what a librarian has to say:

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Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the Man Who Brought China from Empire to Republic

By Yang Liping Sun Yat-sen (孫逸仙aka. 孫中山 or 孫文; 1866–1925) is a Chinese revolutionary and the leader of a series of armed uprisings that led to the downfall of China’s last imperial dynasty (Qing) in 1911 and the founding of the Republic of China in 1912.   November 12 this year marks his 150th birthday. A … Read more

Gender: Sources, Perspectives and Methodologies Provides Patrons with a “Great Deal of Information”

Immerse researchers in the study of gender with Gender: Sources, Perspectives and Methodologies. Highlighting queer, women’s, and men’s studies, Gender fosters critical thought in gender and sexuality. By employing literature, film, art, history, and other disciplines, Gender: Sources, Perspectives and Methodologies provides researchers with a “great deal of information.”

Take a peak at what a reviewer had to say:

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Archives of Sexuality & Gender: A “Recommended” Resource

Support scholarly researchers, students, and educators with LGBTQ history and culture with Archives of Sexuality & Gender. Likewise, LGBTQ community, allies, and families can also gain a deep understanding with this resource of approximately 1.5 million pages of primary source content. Covering social, political, health, and legal issues impacting LGBTQ communities around the world, Archives of Sexuality & Gender  is a “recommended” resource for all researchers.

Curious? Read a review from Cheryl LaGuardia, a Research Librarian:

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Shame Reading

By Mary Kelly

When I first started out as a student, I thought my taste should gravitate to the “serious” and “important” works of literature. I kind of wanted to be that person that read Kafka or Joyce on the train or went to a poetry reading. I even wanted to wear a beret. I was hoping that I would be considered a “deep thinker” and an “intellectual” reader. I guess I wanted to be the early 1980s version of Rory Gilmore. No one needed to know that although I read widely on occasion (and sometimes with a gun to my head), I secretly loved books by the likes of Erica Jong, Jacqueline Susanne, and Sydney Sheldon. If it had a wild plot, sex, drugs and rock ‘n roll, I was a fan. I could chew these books up like candy. It was my secret shame reading list.

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Product Update: Exciting Video Additions and Increased Text Size to Kids InfoBits!

Recently, Gale partnered with Visual Learning Systems, an educational science publisher whose mission is to provide high quality, visual-based content that instructs, challenges, and inspires young learners. Nearly 600 high-quality educational videos on concepts essential to STEM learning have been added to Kids InfoBits. These recently added and powerful teaching tools are approximately 1-3 minutes … Read more