The hard data and analysis on the state of school libraries from School Library Journal
Teens Rank Cell Phones #1 Electronic Purchase By SLJ Staff - 11/17/2008
Nearly half of all teens’ daily activities are driven by technology, with listening to music ranking as number one, says a new report from the trade organization, the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). More
SLJ Reviews the Amazon Kindle 2 Ebook Reader By Jeffrey Hastings - 06/01/2009
Remember how the original Apple iPod suddenly made the MP3 player a must-have for music fans back in 2001? The Amazon Kindle 2 just might be the device that finally has ebook readership exploding in similar atomic fashion. While the first incarnation was undeniably impressive, the original Kindle was still a bit rough around the edges.
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Social Media Specialists?: The use—or nonuse—of social tools sparks Twitterstorm By Lauren Barack - 06/01/2009
A recent firestorm on Twitter involved media specialists and education technology experts who considered whether librarians who don’t engage in social media are jeopardizing their careers not to mention student learning. “Can a media specialist do their job now if they are not also a social media specialist? I’m not sure,” Karl Fisch (on Twitter: karlfisch), director of ...
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You Are There: No budget for travel? Try video chat. By Eric Langhorst - 06/01/2009
It was the sort of exchange that could only happen on a field trip. One of my students, noticing the unusual bow attached to Alexander Hamilton’s ponytail, asked our guide about the odd accessory. “That’s a bag wig,” replied Eli Lesser, director of education at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.
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Let's Play Ball: Web resources related to baseball By Gail Junion-Metz - 05/01/2009
Baseball—As American as Apple Pie memory.loc.gov/learn/community/cc_baseball.php The Library of Congress hosts primary resource materials on all aspects of our national culture, including America's pastime. On this topical site, you'll find everything from photos and old posters to baseball cards and the personal papers of Dodger great Jackie Robinson.
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Tech Firms Help Get Stimulus Funds By Lauren Barack - 05/01/2009
Anthony Salcito understands the economic challenges K–12 schools face today. That’s why the general manager of U.S. education for Microsoft says the $115 billion in federal stimulus money earmarked for education has spurred the tech giant into action. “We’re focused on how we can partner with schools on using these funds,” says Salcito.
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Mimio Interactive Whiteboard Reviewed By Jeffrey Hastings - 05/01/2009
Several years back, when my school library was renovated, I had the architects include a teaching space complete with a large whiteboard. Since I often introduce online resources by projecting an image of our library Web site onto that board, I've often wished it was an interactive whiteboard (IWB) so I could remain front-and-center while tapping my way through those little lessons.
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World Digital Library By Kathy Ishizuka - 05/01/2009
www.wdl.org The recently launched World Digital Library (WDL) opens the door to an unprecedented holding of international treasures. Over 26 institutions in 19 countries, from the UK’s Wellcome Collection to the Archives of Iraq, have contributed to the project. Using advanced search features, site visitors can access manuscripts, maps, rare books, films, audio, and photographs that relat...
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BookExpo America 2009: SLJ's Day of Dialog School Library Journal held a Day of Dialog in conjunction with the annual BookExpo America on May 28, 2009 at the Brooklyn Public Library. Full story: bit.ly/1a0G7o
2008 National Book Awards Nominees in the young people's literature category graced the red carpet on Awards night Nov. 20, 2008.
The Buzz Nov. 2008 So the economy’s gone south, you still need your gadgets.
Folktales from Around the World: The Bear Prince. DVD. 11:56 min. with tchr’s. guide. Prod. by Colman Communications. Dist. by 100% Educational Media (schoolvideos.com). 2008. $39.95.
K-Gr 4–While this animated Mexican fairy tale will be new to most viewers, the story contains familiar elements from such popular tales as “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Little Mermaid,” and “Puss in Boots.”
Let them eat cake! Library aide Shanta Ramkhelawan (left), librarian Camina Raphael, and Colleen McCrea, head of the children's library, served delectable dessert to more than 130 people celebrating the 85th anniversary of the historic Robert Bacon Memorial Children's Library in Westbury, NY. Upon opening its doors in 1924 it was only the third children's library in the world.