American History Online

Several new free databases may be just the thing for educators and students looking for information on American history. The databases, from university libraries, were digitized by Online Computer Library Center (OCLC), a nonprofit library cooperative that specializes in sharing library materials.

The American Indians of the Pacific Northwest Digital Collection (http://content.lib.washington.edu/aipnw/) includes photos, documents, and maps that highlight the Northwest Coast and Plateau Indian tribes, according to Product Manager Tony Chirakos. The online collection was put together by University of Washington Libraries, and includes essays written by anthropologists, historians, and educators. There are also 1,500 pages culled from annual reports of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs from 1851–1908. The user-friendly interface is broken down into a wide array of topics—everything from the arts to education to transportation. There are also suggested study questions for K–12 teachers.

The Black Oral History Collection (www.wsulibs.wsu.edu/holland/masc/xblackoralhistory.html) is a project of the Black Studies Department and library of Washington State University. It's based on interviews that the department conducted from 1972–1974 with African Americans living in the Pacific Northwest. The project was undertaken to document important information on black history dating back to the 1800s—information that had been mostly preserved by word of mouth. Topics include living patterns of early black settlers, social life, and job opportunities. Students will need RealPlayer to hear the interviews.

Both of these online collections are handy, valuable resources for middle and high school students.