Jocelyn Shaw: New Websites

New sites on our web for the week of May 9, 2008

Fri, 09 May 2008 15:41:50 GMT

New Links on our web for the week of May 9, 2008

Black History and African American Resources

Black History Daily "promoting Black History 365 days of the year"

Muskegon Links

Muskegon City Business Directory

Teen Sites

American Red Cross: Babysitter's Training Course "The American Red Cross offers babysitting training through their local chapters. To find a class in your town, follow the local chapter link, and enter your zip code in the search box. Although the class is not offered online, the American Red Cross site does provide eight valuable printables, such as a three-page Babysitter's Report Record (an easy way to communicate successes, problems and telephone messages with parents) and a one-page Family Information Card (important data and phone numbers for parents to leave for a sitter.)"
Googolplex: From Babies to Bucks "Googolplex is an online magazine for teens, from University Credit Union, with an emphasis on making money. This page deals with treating your babysitting as a business. Visit to learn about creating a business plan (How often do you want to babysit?), finding investors (who will pay for a first-aid class?) and advertising. Click on any of the brown-highlighted phrases to view more details in a popover window." (STW)
Kids' Turn Central: Babysitting '"A good babysitter is: mature, trustworthy, patience, safety-consciousness, organized, prepared, fun and punctual. If you feel you have these qualities you may be cut out to babysit." The Kids' Turn Central introduces babysitting with five pages about finding jobs, safety, and keeping the kids busy. Best clicks are the five printable checklists that should be filled out before you sit. They include General Information, Children's Information, Safety Information, Emergency Numbers, and About You (a place for the sitter to leave phone numbers and other contact data for the parents.)' (STW)

New Links on our web for the week of May 1, 2008

Thu, 01 May 2008 19:15:59 GMT

New Links on our web for the week of May 1, 2008

Leisure

Recycling Center "literally anything and everything you could want to know about recycling including green shopping links, home recycling options, nearby recycling centers, and links for a few key recycling web resources." (LIB)

Muskegon Links

Third & Western photo slideshow Flickr slideshow of the changes along Western Ave.

Teacher Resources

Math Gateway of the Mathematical Association of America "Created through a partnership with the National Science Digital Library (NSDL), the Math Gateway was developed by the Mathematical Association of America. The site provides a veritable cornucopia of information for educators and those who are curious about anything from algebra to the history of mathematics. Visitors can start their exploration through the site by using the search engine at the top-left hand corner, or they look at the "Content Highlights" displayed prominently here. Some of these highlights include tips for writing an interactive mathematics text, using statistical samples from a real estate database, and so on. The site also encourages visitors to register for membership, which will allow them to create their own personalized library of resources. Rounding out the site is a selection of tips for searching the materials here and a fun "This Day in Mathematics" feature." (SR)
Alice "Alice is a teaching tool designed as a revolutionary approach to teaching and learning introductory programming concepts. The Alice team has developed instructional materials to support students and teachers in using this new approach. Resources include textbooks, lessons, sample syllabuses, test banks, and more. Other authors have generously joined our efforts, creating additional textbooks." (LIB)
Web Tools 4 U 2 Use "A wiki for school library media specialists to learn about cool new web tools, see how they can be used in school library media programs, and share ideas and success stories." (WILT)

New Sites at HPL for the week of April 24, 2008

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 16:53:09 GMT

New Links on our web for the week of April 24, 2008

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What's RSS?

Books and Reading

Fictionarium "Fictionarium.com was created to link authors, not alphabetically, but by likeness. If you enjoyed one author, you can just click their genre and find a new author with similar qualities! You can also add new authors to help others find new books. Check out the "featured author" for something different! This site allows people to find something new to read, while basically guaranteeing a book you?ll like." (SR)
JustFreeBooks "JustFreeBooks search the content of more than 450 web sites, including gutenberg.org, wikibooks.org and archive.org. With JustFreeBooks you can find public domain texts, open books, free audio books, ad-supported books and more." (IRN)

Computers and Internet

In Pictures: Computer Tutorials Based on Pictures "Collection of free, easy-to follow illustrated tutorials for software and computer subjects such as Microsoft Office, Dreamweaver, Photoshop Elements, HTML and CSS, My SQL, PHP, and Perl. Originally developed as part of a U.S.. Department of Education study to help people with learning disabilities to learn computer skills. From Visibooks." (LII)

Government, Elections, and Law

Congressional Tutorials Home Page ""These tutorials show you how to find Congressional materials in the Library and on the Internet." Topics of these Flash videos include finding recent bills (1989-present), hearings, and Congressional debates. Also includes a tutorial on how to contact your Congressional representatives. Note: Includes links to some sites that require a fee to use. From Jesse Silva and Karen Munro, librarians at the University of California, Berkeley." (LII)

Homework

American Immigration Overview "This set of modules provides an overview of U.S. immigration using pictures, timelines, and voice-over narration. Special events such as the Irish Potato Famine, Asian Immigration, Immigration in Cities and Town, as well as a discussion of the "melting pot." Personal Histories provide an opportunity at the end to stop and review what has been read and heard in form of short quizzes. From National Heritage Academies." (BWN)

Leisure

American Community Gardening Association: Learn "Background about community gardens, "[a]ny piece of land gardened by a group of people." Features profiles of U.S. community gardens (browsable by geographic location), a guide to starting a community garden, audio of gardening teleconferences, a best practices series covering topics such as children's gardening and saving seeds, a FAQ, and other related publications and links. From the American Community Gardening Association." (LII)

Reference Desk

The Visual Dictionary "Have you ever wondered what the various parts of a guitar are called? Perhaps you need a refresher on the various types of dresses? The Visual Dictionary website covers both topics in copious detail, along with offering up information on transportation, biology, and the human body. Essentially, the site offers annotated images that identify each part of a given item, such as an automobile or a musical instrument. Visitors can search the site by using the embedded search engine or they can look over a list of topics. The coverage is quite broad, as users will find everything from the detailed anatomy of a turtle to an exploration of a car's engine. One can imagine that these materials might work well in a classroom setting, as well as for those who are just generally curious about the world around them." (LII)
Quotations Book "e have 40,000+ quotes by 7,000+ people with hundreds added each day!" (LIB)

New on our web for the week of April 17, 2008

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 15:24:27 GMT

New Links on our web for the week of April 17, 2008

Books and Reading

JuiceSpot "a website where book lovers can get a better read on what to read next, by sharing and comparing short recommendations (i.e. the juice) on books."

Homework

Earth Revealed "What goes on during an earthquake? Who came up with the theory of plate tectonics? What can the fossil record tell us about the evolution of life on Earth? These are all fine questions, and students and educators with a thirst for geological knowledge will find the answers to these (and many more) questions in the "Earth Revealed" television series. Offered as part of the Annenberg Media website, the 26-part series includes such episodes as "Geologic Time", "Mountain Building", and "The Birth of a Theory". As with many of the Annenberg Media offerings, visitors can view entire episodes here, and they can also take a look at a list of additional resources." (SR)

New Links on our web for the week of April 3, 2008

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:48:47 GMT

New Links on our web for the week of April 3, 2008

Arts and Humanities

OperaGlass "If you can't remember a particular aria from Gounod's "Faust" or a certain detail from the song contest at Wartburg, this site dedicated to opera may be just the ticket. Created and maintained by Rick Bogart, a research scientist at Stanford, the site provides access to libretti, source texts, performance histories, synopses, discographies, and so on. The site also contains an opera information directory, which features an opera composer index containing 4800 entries. Moving on, those who might be new to the wonders of opera will appreciate the "Opera For Everyone" CD's, which are offered here at no charge. Visitors can use the music here to learn about four classic operas, including "La Traviata" and "Madama Butterfly". The site is rounded out by a list of operas requiring six or fewer singers and a calendar of operatic commemorations." (SR)

Health

Quick Information For Your Health "The following titles represent easy-to-read health information available in both English and Spanish. Some titles are available as printable PDFs and as printed brochures for ordering." "Brochure topics include diabetes, arthritis treatments, giving medicine to children, volunteering for clinical trials and medical treatments, and using medicine safely. From the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)." (LII)

Leisure

National Register Travel Itineraries "It's a long and winding road from Indianapolis to Little Rock (and all the stops between), but if one is hoping to learn about the very diverse cultural traditions and history across the United States, the National Register Travel Itineraries are a stellar way to do so. Currently, the site contains over three dozen itineraries which highlight different geographic regions or important themes in American history. Visitors can browse the itineraries alphabetically or by state. Each tour contains a list of the sites covered, accompanied by a map, photographs, and usually a list of additional external sites and readings. While all of the itineraries are well-done, visitors should definitely start by looking over the Indian Mounds of Mississippi tour and the tour of World War II sites in the San Francisco Bay area." (SR)
SelecTree: A Tree Selection Guide "With information on more than 1,400 trees, this tree selection guide features options for searching, browsing by common and scientific names, and generating a list of trees that match a set of attributes (such as height, fragrance, and water and soil requirements). Tree profiles include photographs, growth habit, pest and disease problems, and more. From the Urban Forest Ecosystems Institute, based at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly)."

Reference Desk

Ibiblio "Operating under the motto of "Trust Us", ibiblio is a collaboration of the School of Information and Library Science and the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at The University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. Ibiblio is billed as one of the largest "collections of collections" on the Internet, as it contains links to sites that deal with arts and recreation, geography, history, natural science, and philosophy, along with other subjects. First-time visitors can look over their FAQ section, read their collection policy, and then take a look at their "Recent Additions" area. Moving on, visitors can also look at their collection criteria, and even submit a collection for their consideration. Along with their very impressive collections, they also have a wide range of RSS feeds which users can sign up for." (SR)

New Sites on our Web for the Week of March 27, 2008

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 16:04:10 GMT

New Links on our web for the week of March 27, 2008

Health

Health Butler "information on screenings, immunizations, and healthy habits in addition to e-mail reminders and health tracking tools."
The Body Explained "BioEdOnline from the Baylor College of Medicine has been producing high-quality educational resources for a number of years, so it's nice to learn about their rather fun and informative "The Body Explained" resource. Narrated and hosted by Cassius Bordelon, PhD, this video production answers a number of common questions about how the body works. The segments are quite brief, and they may just spark a new interest in a curious student. Currently, there are around a dozen or so segments offered on the site, and they cover topics such as why our ears pop, why we sneeze, and what causes hiccups. Interested parties can also download the short segments for use in their classroom." (SR)

Reference Desk

Reverso free on-line translation service that also helps conjugate verbs. (DS)

Teacher Resources

Classroom Learning 2.0 "Description: Explore the online tutorials or take the free course on Web2.0 tools and classroom integration. There are 23 activities to be done over a 9 week period. Created by the California School Library Association." (BWN)
Second Life Education Wiki "The Second Life Education Wiki is part of SimTeach. It consists of a Second Life (SL) FAQ, information about educators already working in SL, programs for educators, up to date list of educational institutions and organization in SL, SL presentations and articles, conferences, events calendar link, information about collaborative groups, research, K-12 education, costs, classroom management, lesson plans, teaching jobs, scripts, lists of educational places, and more. This is a great place to start your SL adventures and a great place to go back to for updates. SimTeach is a resource with information and collaboration for educators using M.U.V.E.'s (Multi-User Virtual Environments. SimTeach is created and maintained by Jeremy Kemp, San Jose State University, and consists of a blog, wiki, machinima, and links to virtual worlds where you can get started." (BWN)
Listing of educational widgets "A gallery of widgets, web services, and web applications of interest to educators." (IRN)

New Links on our Web for the week of March 20, 2008

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 15:54:54 GMT

New Links on our web for the week of March 20, 2008

Books and Reading

Book Lamp "a system for matching readers to books through an analysis of writing styles, similar to the way that Pandora.com matches music lovers to new music." (WILT)

Health

Mesothelioma Information and Resource Group "aimed at providing comprehensive information to victims of mesothelioma and their families."

Homework

Language Learning Library Portal for learning a variety of different languages.

Leisure

Test Seek "a product review search engine where consumers can see which products the experts have rated highest."
Truth about Cars "a comprehensive resource center featuring car reviews on over 40 different makes of cars and includes a price comparison."

Reference Desk

Disaster Recovery Assistance "As one might imagine, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)'s Disaster Recovery Assistance office works closely with other federal agencies, such as the Small Business Administration and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. On their homepage, visitors can learn about their programs in various states, or they may wish to start by viewing some of their latest press releases. The site contains a great deal of specific information on their work rebuilding New Orleans through the Disaster Housing Assistance Program and the Disaster Vouching Program. Users of the site will also be glad to learn that many of the materials are available in Spanish. The site is rounded out by a section on their work addressing disasters in Southern California." (SR)
Daily Maps from National Geographic "Browse through history using our daily maps of historical news events and milestones. Navigate the map using our zoom tool." (FGI)

New Linsk on our Web for the week of March 13, 2008

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 16:06:13 GMT

New Links on our web for the week of March 13, 2008

Genealogy and History

National Archives and Records Administration : Access to Archival Databases "over 5.2 million records of passengers who arrived at the ports of Baltimore, Boston, New Orleans, New York, and Philadelphia in the 19th century. These records were transcribed from original ship manifests into databases by Temple University's Center for Immigration Research and donated to NARA." (FGI)

Health

The Virtual Body "Unless one is a medical resident, it can be quite difficult to get a close-up look at a skeleton, a brain, or even the inner workings of the digestive tract. Students of the medical sciences and others need worry no more, as this very fine interactive exhibit offers up dynamic images and cross- sections of these parts of the anatomy and many more to boot. The site contains four sections, including "Brain", "Skeleton", "Heart", and "Digestive Tract". In the "Heart" area, visitors can learn about the individual parts of the heart, view an animated heart, and also take a narrated tour of the heart that will "keep your heart beating." Moving on, the "Skeleton" section features the "Bones Narrated" tour, which will take visitors on a guided tour of the skeleton and its functions. For those who like to keep things interactive, there is also the "Build a Skeleton" feature that will test their knowledge of the human skeleton. Additionally, the "Digestive Tract" area includes a test of organ organization and a trip through the duodenum and other parts of the digestive system. It's worth noting that the entire site is also available in Spanish." (SR)
Drug Information Portal "This database, launched in February 2008, provides information about over 12,000 drugs, including prescription and non-prescription drugs, dietary supplements, drugs of abuse, and investigational drugs. Searchable by generic or brand name, or browse resources by drug class or by audiences such as the public or librarians. Also includes news, featured drugs, and related resources. From the National Library of Medicine (NLM); database compiled from NLM and other government sources." (LII)

Holidays

St. Patrick's Day' "Explore some of the places and legends associated with Saint Patrick and find out about the life of Ireland's patron saint." Also includes a list of "essential Irish phrases" for a night out at a pub, and traditional Irish recipes for items such as Irish stew, Irish coffee, and champ (mashed potatoes). From the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).' (LII)

New Links on our web for the week of February 28, 2008

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 15:51:57 GMT

New Links on our web for the week of February 28, 2008

Leisure

The Encyclopedia of TV "How exactly does one create an encyclopedia about television? It's a formidable task, and one that Dr. Horace Newcomb of the University of Texas at Austin took on with great relish. He worked to assemble an advisory committee that would reduce the vast array of topics to around 1000. They did so, and in 1997, The Museum of Broadcast Communications published the fruits of their labor. Visitors to the site can browse through thoughtful and thorough entries alphabetically, and they will find entries that cover specific programs, historic moments and trends, important policy disputes, tabloid television and the quiz show scandal that rocked the industry in the 1950s. Many notable personalities are covered here, including Phil Silvers, Dan Rather, and Hugh Downs." (SR)

Teacher Resources

NC State Physics Demonstrations "The physics department at North Carolina State University has created this very fine list of online physics demonstration manuals that will be quite a boon to physics educators in high schools and colleges. Visitors can search 28 online demonstration manuals simultaneously or they can also choose to look over a demonstrations bibliography that contains over 7500 references. Those who just wish to browse around can scroll down the page to look within each manual separately. Also, visitors may also wish to check out the public lecture demonstration shows offered on the site, along with a collection of links to professional organizations, including The American Association of Physics Teachers." (SR)

New Sites on our Web for the Week of February 21, 2008

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 16:57:05 GMT

New Links on our web for the week of February 21, 2008

Health

Asbestos and Mesothelioma Center The Asbestos & Mesothelioma center is committed to providing the latest, up-to-date information to our visitors in hopes of creating awareness about the dangers of asbestos.

Leisure

Cold Storage Chart "These short but safe time limits will help keep refrigerated foods from spoiling or becoming dangerous to eat."
Refrigerated Food Storage Chart

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 15:53:43 GMT

New Links on our web for the week of February 14, 2008

Black History and African American Resources

This Day in Black History "a community driven, interactive online periodical about the black experience."
African American History Month "February is African American History Month, and, as the Library of Congress site notes, it's an area of history that should be incorporated into all discussions about American history. The Library of Congress listened to its own advice and created this most useful site to help students, teachers, and others to do just that. First-time visitors may wish to click on the "African American Voices" to hear audio clips from the Queen of Buganda, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's appearance at the Library's Book Fest, and many others. Moving down the homepage, visitors can read about a number of notable African Americans, including historian Carter G. Woodson and Congressman Major Owens. By clicking on the "Collections" area visitors can look through some of the digital collections related to various aspects of African American history. Additionally, the site also has other sections that provide primary materials on African Americans in the performing arts as well as oral histories from the Veterans History Project." (SR)
Images of the Antislavery Movement in Massachusetts "The state of Massachusetts played a major role in the American antislavery movement, and for a number of decades, the epicenter of this movement was in Boston. The Massachusetts Historical Society created this website in order to highlight some of the visual materials from their collection that deal with this facet of American history. Visitors to the site can look over digital images of 840 items, which include paintings, sculptures, banners, and broadsides. Items featured within this archive include formal portraits of noted lawyer Wendell Phillips, abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison, and Senator Charles Sumner. Additionally, visitors can also view a ticket to the 1857 Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society speech and a diagram of a plan for resisting the fugitive slave law." (SR)

Genealogy and History

South Dakota Cemetery Record Search "This searchable database includes records that were cataloged as part of the WPA Cemetery Project (pre-1940s) plus any cemetery updates that our office has received. It is not a complete listing of all the burials in South Dakota." (RB)

Government, Elections, and Law

Local Census "a plethora of statistical information about the United States of America and all of its cities, zip codes, and counties. LocalCensus.com also provides business listings from a wide variety of categories throughout most cities within the United States of America. Any business owner can simply log in after being verified and modify the content of their personal business listing web page. Customers can also post reviews regarding the quality of services the business provides."

Leisure

Super Cook "Supercook is a new recipe search engine that finds recipes you can make with the ingredients you have at home. To begin, simply start adding ingredients you have. The more ingredients you add, the better the results will be." (DS)

Librarian Links

Lakeland Library Cooperative Maps maps to libraries in the Lakeland Library Cooperative.

New Sites on our web for the week of Feb 7, 2008

Fri, 08 Feb 2008 13:01:40 GMT

New Links on our web for the week of February 7, 2008

Books and Reading

Blue Rectangle "BlueRectangle.com offers video book reviews (book reviews on video). Concise and fascinating insights into a wide variety of books, by a wide variety of book reviewers."

Colleges and Careers

Printable copy of the FAFSA form

Government, Elections, and Law

A Citizen's guide to the Federal budget
Census Atlas of the United States "This publication, based on the 2000 U.S. census, is "the first comprehensive atlas of population and housing produced by the Census Bureau since the 1920s. The Census Atlas is a large-format publication about 300 pages long and containing almost 800 maps. ... A variety of topics are covered in the Census Atlas, ranging from language and ancestry characteristics to housing patterns and the geographic distribution of the population." From the U.S. Census Bureau." (LII)

Leisure

Consumer Focus: Moving from Analog to Digital TV "Questions and answers about the digital television transition occurring in February 2009, where "television stations will broadcast using digital signals only, which means your old analog set won't work" (receive broadcasts) without a converter box or subscription to cable or satellite service. Discusses the basics of digital television (DTV), options for owners of analog TV sets, and resources for further reading. From the Federal Citizen Information Center, U.S. General Services Administration." (LII)
TV Converter Box Coupon Program "Details about this federal government program for households wishing to continue using their analog TV sets after February 17, 2009, when "all full-power television stations in the United States will stop broadcasting in analog and switch to 100% digital broadcasting." Learn whether you need a converter box, how to obtain coupons to be applied towards the cost of the box, where to purchase one, and related information. Available in several languages." (LII)
Air Travel from USA.Gov: up-to-date information on traveling by air.

New on our site for the week of January 31, 2008

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 20:28:10 GMT

New Links on our web for the week of January 31, 2008

Black History

The Legacy of George Washington Carver "This presentation celebrates "the legacy of [Iowa State University's] first African American student and faculty member, George Washington Carver [who was] renowned for developing innovative uses for a variety of agricultural crops such as peanuts, soybeans and sweet potatoes." Features a biography, images, bibliography, select correspondence of Carver, peanut uses and recipes from a 1925 publication, and other material about Carver and his agricultural research. From the Special Collections Department, Iowa State University Library." (LII)
Legends of Tuskegee: American Visionaries "This site highlights the achievements of individuals associated with the Tuskegee Institute, founded by Booker T. Washington as the Tuskegee Normal School for Colored Teachers in the 1880s. Features biographical material, photos, and bibliographies for educator Booker T. Washington, educator and scientist George Washington Carver, and the Tuskegee Airmen, the World War II "Army Air Corps program to train African Americans to fly and maintain combat aircraft." From the National Park Service (NPS)." (LII)

Books and Reading

LoudLit.org "“LoudLit.org is committed to delivering public domain literature paired with high quality audio performances. We pair together great literature and accompanying audio.” " (IRN)

Reference Desk

Rules of Thumb "A rule of thumb is a homemade recipe for making a guess. It is an easy-to-remember guide that falls somewhere between a mathematical formula and a shot in the dark." This website tries to bring all the rules of thumbs together in a searchable database. (DS)
Easy Calculation.com "Free online mathematics tools." (IRN)

Teacher Resources

Chemistry PowerPoint Lessons and Instructional Materials "Before becoming an author, Jeremy Schneider was a chemistry teacher. Over the past several years he has placed a number of helpful instructional resources here on his site. These particular resources cover atomic structure, quantum mechanics, atomic size, bonding, and several dozen additional topics. Visitors can browse through these resources at their leisure and each topic area includes a brief description of what is covered in each set of materials. Specifically, the resources include labs, assignments, worksheets, and handouts. Many of the resources draw on examples from the "Fundamentals of Chemistry" textbook, but the site suggests that page references from other textbooks can be substituted." (SR)
AccessArt “If you are a teacher, student, parent, home-user or artist looking for practical and inspirational visual arts resources, AccessArt is the site for you.” (IRN)
OER Commons "OER Commons is a teaching and learning network, from K-12 lesson plans to college courseware, from algebra to zoology, open to everyone to use and add to." (IRN)

New on our web for the week of January 24, 2008

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 16:55:31 GMT

New Links on our web for the week of January 24, 2008

Books and Reading

Red Room "This website's goal is to create a social network for authors and readers. It features pages for authors including Maya Angelou, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Khaled Hosseini, and Amy Tan, with author biographies, lists of published works, blog entries, and audio and video clips (such as the 1988 San Francisco high school graduation speech by Daniel Handler, aka Lemony Snicket). Browsable by author or genre. Also includes an events listing." (LII)
Edgar Allan Poe "Biography and collection of material about poet and writer Edgar Allan Poe. Features a walking tour of Edgar Allan Poe's Publishers Row in New York City, a selected bibliography, and some of Poe's poems, such as "The Raven" and "The Bells." Includes links to related sites and to profiles of other poets from the Romantic era. From the Academy of American Poets." (LII)

Colleges and Careers

Career Explorer "Career Explorer is here to help you navigate through a wealth of information about career training. We include a wide range of career descriptions."

Computers and Internet

ISP Compared "ISPcompared.com provides visitors a way to quickly and meticulously compare the rates, features, and promotions of standard dial-up, high speed dial-up, and broadband Internet service. In addition, users have access to FAQ’s, reviews, ratings, and free Internet speed testing. In the very near future we will be adding wireless Internet comparison and more broadband provider options."

Leisure

Green Guide ""Dubbed the 'green living source for today's conscious consumer,' the Green Guide makes living in an environmentally-aware way easy, understandable, and practical." The site features product reviews (for items such as shoes, appliances, bedding, cosmetics, household cleaning supplies, personal care items, and pest control techniques), lists of ingredients to avoid, articles (such as on what happens to donated clothes), videos, blogs, and more. Also includes information about the associated print publication. From National Geographic." (LII)
Simply Soups: The Ultimate Comfort Food " "There's something extremely satisfying about a hot, bubbling pot of soup on the stove on a cold winter's night." Use this site to find dozens of recipes for broths and stocks, chilis, chowders, cream and cheese soups, onion soups, and vegetable and meat soups. Also includes recipes for dessert soups, fruit soups, and a listing of cold soups." (LII)

Teacher Resources

National Council of Teachers of Mathematics "New and experienced math teachers can benefit from this helpful site created by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. In the "Tips for Teachers" section, visitors can take in tips for starting the year off right, testing, grading, homework, and even communicating with parents. The site also includes tips for math tutors and several short, yet effective, tips on utilizing technology in the classroom. One area that should not be overlooked is the "Common Questions and Their Answers". Here visitors can learn about demystifying the distributive property and other timely principles. Finally, visitors are also welcome to leave feedback on each section via a webform." (SR)
Biology Browser: Teaching Resources "Thomson Scientific has created this fine site in order to provide science educators with a wide array of activities that can be used in the classroom. Currently, the site features over 190 resources related to various areas of biology. Visitors can search through the resources by subject, geography, or organism. These resources include a primer on the antlion (also known as a doodlebug) and "Bugnet" which is an online forest entomology class. Visitors can also glance over a glossary of zoology terms and look over news from the world of taxonomy." (SR)
BioEd Online: Biology Teacher Resources From Baylor College of Medicine "This website's goal is "to provide useful, accurate, and current information and materials that build upon and enhance the skills and knowledge of [K-12] science educators." It features streaming video presentations, a slide library of lesson plans and activities, "hot topic" pages, and science news. In addition to topical content, the site includes teaching strategies and lab techniques. Also includes a special section with K-5 content. From the Baylor College of Medicine" (LII)

New Links on our web for the week of January 17, 2008

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 15:51:25 GMT

New Links on our web for the week of January 17, 2008

Computers and Internet

Pixer.us " Need a quick fix for that photo? With pixer.us you can edit your photos online using only your browser. Upload your photo using the "load image" form. In a few seconds, the image will be displayed on screen and you can start to play with it. After you're done fixing your photo click on the "Save" button to download it using your preferred file format. All modifications are done in a non-destructive way. Your image will always keep it's original quality!" (LIB)

Homework

Native Wiki "NativeWiki is a free, open-to-the-public library of information about indigenous nations and peoples (past and present) of the world. We feature major sections on Nations and Peoples, Documents and Materials, Geographic Regions and a Picture Gallery of selected images." (RB)

Reference Desk

Monkey See Online instructional videos on just about anything. (RB)

New on our web for the week of January 10, 2008

Fri, 11 Jan 2008 14:16:38 GMT

New Links on our web for the week of January 10, 2008

Books and Reading

JustFreeBooks "JustFreeBooks searches the content of more than 450 web sites, including gutenberg.org, wikibooks.org and archive.org." (IRN)
Shelfari "Shelfari makes it easy to see what your friends are reading, what others with similar tastes have enjoyed, and even get and give book recommendations." (IRN)
Universal Digital Library Search for digital books.

New Sites on our Web for the week of January 3, 2008

Thu, 03 Jan 2008 16:53:47 GMT

New Links on our web for the week of January 3, 2008

Business

CareerJournal.com: 50+ Professionals "Compilation of articles about job hunting and career planning for people aged 50 years and older. Some of the topics covered include top employers and job locations, early retirement, age bias, online job opportunities, and adding value to a workplace. From the Wall Street Journal's executive career website." (LII)
job-hunt "The purpose of this website is "to provide the most comprehensive listing of useful Internet-accessible job-search resources and services on the Web." Browse annotated listing of job resources by location and industry or profession, networking resources, and other job and career websites. Includes job-hunting basics and advice. From human resources and career planning professionals." (LII)

Health

The 10,000-Step Guide to Fitness "This feature describes the concept of walking 10,000 steps per day (using a pedometer to keep track) to obtain health benefits. "The British Heart Foundation (BHF) says 10,000 steps a day (about five miles) can give you a healthy heart and reduce body fat." It includes quick tips regarding the 10,000-step challenge, statistics on fitness in Britain, and an illustrated description of how a pedometer works. From the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). (LII)

New Links on our Web for the week of December 27, 2007

Thu, 27 Dec 2007 16:00:29 GMT

New Links on our web for the week of December 27, 2007

Books and Reading

Kate Chopin website of the Kate Chopin International Society.
Search for e-books From Librarian chick. Search for free audio, text, and e-books. (LIB)

Business

Resume Templates.org "250 free resume templates"

Computers and Internet

Spoken Text Free online text to speech converter. (DS)

Teacher Resources

Teaching Mathematical Thinking Through Origami "Many people find doing origami relaxing, and others find it can be even a fine group activity to while away many pleasant hours. This particular website offers up some ways to use origami to teach mathematical thinking. Created by Daniel Meyer, Jeanine Meyer, and Aviva Meyer, this site includes a background essay on this art, a set of teaching strategies for incorporating origami into the classroom, and some sample models. The “Teaching Strategies” area is a good place to look after reading the background essay, and users should also make use of the "Origami Sources" area, as it features external links to other origami sites." (SR)

New Links on our web for the week of December 20, 2007

Thu, 20 Dec 2007 15:50:26 GMT

New Links on our web for the week of December 20, 2005

Black History and African American Resources

The Mary McLeod Bethune Council House: African American Women Unite For Change "During her long life, Mary McLeod Bethune was an educator, social activist, and prominent leader in the women's rights movement. This latest installment in the National Park Service's "Teaching with Historic Places Lesson Plans" centers on her council House in Washington, D.C., and is a fine resource for history teachers and those with a general interest in American history. The Council House happens to be where the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) was located for over twenty years, and a number of important discussions regarding the integration of the military took place here. Visitors to the site will want to take a look at the historical essay on the house before getting started, and then they will want to look at the readings on Bethune and the NCNW. The lesson also includes a host of visual images along with some fine classroom activities and discussion questions." (SR)

Books and Reading

Booktagger "Booktagger is a type of social network for book lovers. Sign up and add the books you have read, and ones you are thinking about reading. Then chat it up with people that like the same books as you do, get suggestions and a little more insight on what you might want to read." (DS)

Government, Elections, and Law

Social Explorer "This site "provides easy access to demographic information about the United States, from 1940 to 2000," by featuring "thousands of maps and hundreds of reports with thousands of variables." Includes interactive census maps (showing population, age, race, occupation, and other factors) and related reports. Additional features are available for a fee." (LII)

Health

ReadThisToMe.org "Site for this "free reading service for blind and low-vision people, powered by volunteers and Internet collaboration. ... [It] allows blind and low-vision people (clients) to have printed documents read to them over the phone. All a person needs is a phone line and a fax machine (no computer is required)." Includes a FAQ and details about volunteering." (LII)

Leisure

The New York Times: Crosswords/Games "Free content from The New York Times includes a free weekly crossword puzzle from the online archive (updated every Monday), a daily sudoku puzzle, and articles about crossword puzzles, bridge, and chess. Also includes links to the Learning Network with crosswords for young solvers (with puzzles on topics such as American history, geography, and science), and a daily news quiz. Also includes links to related sites. Additional material is available for a fee." (LII)

News

Parenting Resources

HealthyToys.org: The Consumer Action Guide to Toxic Chemicals in Toys "Test results released in December 2007 for toxic chemicals in "over 1,200 toys and children's products." Search by product name, or browse by brand or toy type. Listings include general information (such as country of manufacture), and levels of lead, cadmium, chlorine/PVC, arsenic, and mercury. Also includes a FAQ, background on the chemicals, and a place to submit suggestions for other toys to be tested. From the Ecology Center (Michigan), with the Washington Toxics Coalition." (LII)

New Links on our Web for the Week of December 13, 2007

Thu, 13 Dec 2007 14:35:38 GMT

New Links on our web for the week of December 13, 2007

Arts and Humanities

Baker's Student Encyclopedia of Music "Noted country artist Roy Acuff and modern American composer John Adams don’t often find themselves in close musical company, but in the Baker's Student Encyclopedia of Music they are only separated by four entries. Offered as part of the eNotes site, the Encyclopedia is a good resource for both students and others who wish to brush up on any number of composers, musical terms, performers, and so on. Visitors can browse on through alphabetically, and they may wish to read the brief "Foreword" offered as a way of establishing the focus and intent of this publication. From Sun Ra to the Sabre Dance, visitors will want to dip into this encyclopedia on multiple occasions." (SR)

Computers and Internet

CCleaner 2.02.527 "The road to a smoothly running computer can be paved with unused files and all types of extraneous items. This version of CCleaner can help users with such matters, as it cleans up temporary files, recycled items, log files, and other such pesky items. This version is compatible with computers running Windows 95 and newer." (SR)

Genealogy and History

ChicagoAncestors "The quest to document one's family tree is one that stretches back across the human experience, and it can be done through the use of government records, obituaries, and so on. Recently, the Newberry Library in Chicago created this site for persons looking to trace their roots within the Windy City. First-time visitors to the site can just go ahead and type in a street address or browse through the online collections which are culled from a variety of local institutions. In the "Tools" area, visitors will find address conversion tools, Chicago City Directory street guides, and a tutorial on researching Chicago in the period before the fire of 1871. Visitors also have the opportunity to add content information to this interactive resource, which it should be noted is open source." (SR)

Leisure

Michigan Driving Conditions this site has links to a number of different sites that deal with traffic conditions in Michigan, including winter road conditions. (RT)

Teacher Resources

Interactives: Garbage "With a heading that includes the phrase "How can my community reduce waste?", this educational site provided by the Annenberg Media group is one that's hard to ignore. This resource is one of their "Interactives", and educators can use these various tools to help students learn "how to improve next year's environmental record." Educators and students can choose between one of five topical areas, all of which include various interactive components and activities. These sections cover solid waste, hazardous waste, sewage, global efforts to reduce solid waste, and links to related resources. Along the way, users will get the opportunity to test their knowledge about hazardous waste in their home, and they can even step up to try their hand at shrinking a landfill." (SR)

New Sites on our Web for the week of December 6, 2007

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 17:04:46 GMT

New Links on our web for the week of December 6, 2007

Leisure

Coalition for Airline Passengers Bill of Rights "This group that promotes legal rights for airplane passengers (with an emphasis on rules for airlines when flights are delayed or canceled) was "formed by hundreds of passengers who were stranded on several American Airlines planes for up to 9 hours at Austin International Airport, December 2006." Includes a list of rights, links to federal legislation introduced on this topic, a discussion forum, and a summary of general complaints about airlines." (LII)
3-1-1 for Carry-ons "Background about this Transportation Security Administration (TSA) campaign to remind airline travelers of the liquid and gel carry-on luggage requirements: "3 ounce bottle or less (by volume); 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag; 1 bag per passenger placed in screening bin." Includes downloadable promotional materials (in several languages), tips, and links to related information. From the TSA." (LII)

Science

Down to Earth Astronomy "Created by the Space Telescope Science Institute, this website provides access to fun and engaging learning activities about astronomy, all of which live up to the website's name. The Institute also happens to oversee the grant administration, planning, scheduling, and public outreach activities for the Hubble Space Telescope, so it makes sense that they would have some rather nice materials. While the site has a number of useful areas, perhaps the strongest element of the site is the "Amazing Space" section. Here, visitors can learn about the inner workings of telescopes, read their in-house publication "The Star Witness", and take in sights of black holes, comets, galaxies, and gravity at work. Educators should not overlook the "Teaching Tools" area of the site, as they will want to look through their classroom activities, graphic organizers, and reading guides." (SR)

Teacher Resources

Science Animations "The use of a well-placed animation in a lecture can help illuminate any number of important concepts in the sciences. Educators seeking high-quality animations need look no further than this very useful site created by staff members at North Harris Community College. The animations are divided into a number of topics, including plants, ecology, astronomy, geology, anatomy, and biology. Each section contains links to a host of fascinating and helpful animations from institutions like Florida State University, Cambridge University Press, the University of Nebraska, and the University of Alberta. As a note, the astronomy and physics areas are particularly strong, and visitors would do well to take a look at the lunar and planetary time-lapse animations offered up by António Cidadão." (SR)
Algebra & Trigonometry "From polynomials to rational expressions, the world of algebra can be a befuddling place. Of course, trigonometry presents certain challenges as well, what with its sine graphs and inverse functions. Students and teachers of these subjects need fear no longer, as this site offers a guide for smooth sailing through all of these thorny matters. These mathematics resources were designed to complement a textbook authored by Robert Blitzer, and they include a number of interactive quizzes and tests. The materials on the site cover topics like exponents, matrices, and conic sections. Some of the materials are meant to be used as stand-alone educational materials, although visitors should note that some require the actual textbook."

New Links on our Web for the Week of November 29, 2007

Thu, 29 Nov 2007 19:13:21 GMT

New Links on our web for the week of November 29, 2007

Books and Reading

LitLovers.com "An online community dedicated to books and book clubs—because both enrich our lives. We've got great resources to enhance your book club experience. Whether you're selecting books, or thinking & talking about them, LitLovers is the place to come."

Business

Small Business Administration: Free Online Courses "The failure rate of small businesses continues to remain quite high, so those individuals wishing to start such an enterprise may wish to consult some of these free online courses. Offered as a service by the Small Business Administration (SBA), these courses come from a variety of organizations, including Kutztown University and the South-West Texas Small Business Development Corporation. Most of the courses take approximately 30 minutes to complete, and they include such offerings as "Starting Your Small Business", "Developing a Successful Business Plan", and "Building Your Brand". Other courses cover such timely matters as government contracting, risk management, and e-commerce. The site also features links to relevant resources offered by the SBA and courses available in Spanish." (SR)

Health

Care.com "the premiere source of trustworthy care options for every family member, from elderly parents to children, and even pets. Our Senior Care Directory provides a comprehensive listing of resources by state in seven categories: housing resources, transportation resources, home care, end-of-life care, legal resources, and financial planning and management."

Holidays

Christmas Carols Database

Homework

Mathematics Help Central: Precalculus Trigonometry "Holly Camp was a twenty-five-year-old divorced mom with two kids under the age of four when she enrolled in college. Although she was intimidated by her first algebra class, when she aced the first test, she took that as a sign that her mission was to help others who might be in a similar predicament. Visit for her trigonometry class notes and printable graph paper, but don't leave without reading her inspiring story." (STN)
The Math Page: Topics in Precalculus '"When one thing depends on another, as, for example, the area of a circle depends on the radius, or the temperature on the mountain depends on the height, then we say that the first is a ‘function' of the other." Lawrence Spector, a math teacher at Borough of Manhattan Community College, introduces precalculus with twenty-five topics including logarithms, polynomials of the second degree, irrational numbers and mathematical induction. If you return to the homepage, you'll find another twenty-one trigonometry topics, along with lessons for algebra, plane geometry and calculus.' (STN)
MathWorld: Pre-Calculus "MathWorld is an extensive math encyclopedia, "created, developed and nurtured by Eric Weisstein with contributions from the world's math community." The precalculus section covers complex numbers, conic sections, exponents, logarithms, functions, and vectors. The table of contents doubles as a glossary of more than thirty-five precalculus terms. Simply click on any of the terms to view a more detailed definition, along with links to related lesson, explanations, and animated illustrations." (STN)

Reference Desk

Maps: Finding Our Place in the World "How do we find our way through the world, geographically speaking? Do we all carry around a type of "mental map" in our head, formed through experience and repetition? Some would say yes, some would beg to differ. Maps remain a powerful way to represent the world in all its spatial glory, and this online exhibit from The Field Museum explores the history of maps and their history over the millennia. Designed to complement an ongoing exhibition at the Museum, the site includes a photo gallery, information about the participating institutions, and about researchers at the Museum who use maps and mapping technology in their own work. The interactive feature is definitely worth a look, as visitors can examine two dozen different maps in detail from Chicago to the Marshall Islands. One can imagine that this remarkable site could also be used in classrooms to expose students to the wide variety of maps that have been created by human hands." (SR)

Search Both

Wikiquote "A free online compendium of quotations from notable people and creative works in every language, including sources (where known), translations of non-English quotes, and links to Wikipedia for further information." (IRN)

Teacher Resources

Interactives: Dynamic Earth" "Conveying the dynamism of various geologic processes can be hard in the classroom or on the web, but this interactive feature from the Annenberg Media's Learner.org site does quite a fine job of introducing students to plate tectonics, plate boundaries, and such perennial favorites as earthquakes and volcanoes. In the "Earth's Structure" section, visitors can roll the mouse over such features as the crust, the mantle, and the outer core of the Earth to learn about each feature. Moving on, the "Plate Tectonics" area includes the "Continents Over Time" interactive feature which asks visitors to place images of the continents in the correct geologic order. Perhaps the most dynamic area of the site (with good reason) is the "Slip, Slide & Collide" area. Here visitors will learn about what happens at different types of plate boundaries through the use of colorful graphics and explanations that are easy to understand. Overall, the site is a great overview of some basic principles of geology, and one that can be used with students of different ages." [KMG]
Physics Applets "Created as part of the Museum Informatics Project at the University of California, Berkeley, this website serves as a clearinghouse of high-quality physics applets that can be used in a variety of settings. The site is divided into a few basic topical areas, such as mechanics, waves, properties of heat and matter, and optics. While a search engine isn't provided, visitors can use the "Find" function provided by most browsers to look for specific items of interest. It is worth noting that the applets dealing with various fields of optics are quite strong, and visitors will no doubt locate at least a handful of applets here that they can use in the classroom or just to increase their own understanding of physics. (SR)
The Educational Multimedia Visualization Center "Teachers looking for ways to incorporate dynamic visuals into their earth science courses need look no further than this fine site. Created by staff members at the department of earth science at the University of California, Santa Barbara, the site contains dozens of interactive animations and visualization tools that can be used in the classroom to demonstrate various processes. These resources are contained within the "Downloads" section, and visitors can peruse the table of contents for specific features. The table of contents includes global tectonics, regional plate tectonics, Ice Age earth, and four other chapters. Some of these animations include the deglaciation of North America, the South Atlantic spreading, and the Himalayan collision." (SR)

New Links on our web for the week of November 15, 2007

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 19:18:00 GMT

New Links on our web for the week of November 15, 2007

Books and Reading

What Should I Read Next "Enter a book you like and the site will analyse our database of real readers' favourite books (over 32,000 and growing) to suggest what you could read next." (DS)

Computers and Internet

Webmaster Resources "The man behind the BoogieJack website is Dennis Gaskill, and he's been serving up compelling pieces of web design wisdom on this site since 1997. On the homepage, he invites the curious visitor to "Look around, make yourself at home". It's a fine idea, especially considering that the site contains a number of helpful HTML tutorials, cascading style sheets (CSS) tutorials, and a selection of free web graphics. While the site doesn't have an embedded search engine, visitors can scroll up and down through the homepage to locate the instructional materials they desire. In the "HTML Tutorials" area, visitors will find several dozen short overviews that cover topics like tag attributes, line breaks, headings, and of course, CSS. Additionally, visitors can sign up to receive his ezine "Almost a Newsletter", which comes out several times a month." (SR)

Genealogy and History

Tribal Junction"Create your family tree, automatically connect to trees of other relatives, and see how your world is connected!"

Government, Elections, and Law

State prisoner locator tools a listing of states that allow searching for prisoners, with links to the search tools.
US Congress Member Guide "The U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) has created a one stop website with easy searchable information on all Members of Congress. A simple click will bring the user to a picture and biography of any current member of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate. This information previously was available in separate databases, but now can be accessed from one central point. GPO worked closely with the Joint Committee on Printing (JCP), Clerk of the House and Secretary of Senate on the design and usability of this website." (RT)

Health

Lupus Online Support Group"A community of patients, family members and friends dedicated to dealing with Lupus, together."

Homework

Cool Science Projects "Do you have a hobby? Do you enjoy doing something? If you do (and I'm sure there is something you really enjoy), then you already have an idea for a project - you just don't know it yet " Begin at Ideas for some insight on how to turn your hobby into a science project. For more concrete suggestions ("Why does a prism create a rainbow pattern of light?") jump ahead to the grade-level idea pages." (STN)

Leisure

Chordbook.com: Guitar Chords "One can't be sure what Duane Eddy or Andres Segovia might think of this interactive guide to guitar chords, but hopefully they would approve. Offered up by Chordbook.com, this online guitar chord primer takes novice and experienced guitar players through all sorts of chord variations and possibilities. Visitors can start by looking over the "Help" below the virtual guitar, as it goes over how to turn the capo on and off, tuning settings, and how to store favorite chords via the "My Chords" feature. The interactive guitar is quite easy to use, and visitors will want to recommend this site to friends, colleagues, and other musicians." (SR)

Reference Desk

Festival of Maps Chicago: A city wide celebration of humanity's greatest discoveries and the maps that record our boldest explorations.
Yale University Library: The Map Collection "Traveling from the world of New Haven in 1886 to early cartographic interpretations of the coast of West Africa has never been easier with this lovely site created by the Yale University Map Library. Like many large universities, Yale has a wide-ranging map collection that spans centuries and continents. First-time visitors to the site can browse through sections that include "Maps of the World", "Maps of the Western Hemisphere", "Maps of North America", "Maps Relating to the Silk Road", and "Maps of Africa". Each section contains anywhere from ten to thirty maps, and visitors browsing through with Internet Explorer or Safari can take advantage of the LizardTech ExpressView plugin for detailed viewing. The site is rounded out with contact information for those seeking additional information about the collection." (SR)

Teacher Resources

Teaching Science: Lab Safety "Before entering the world of pipettes and Geiger counters, budding scientists will need to know about lab safety. Science educators will benefit from this laboratory safety site, developed by Professor Norman Herr, who teaches at California State University, Northridge. On his site, Professor Herr provides topically organized links that fall into the areas of safety standards, chemical hazards, chemical storage, and five other relevant topics. Within each section, visitors will find links to state safety standards, sample laboratory safety contracts, and fact sheets on chemical hazards. One potentially delightful classroom activity is the laboratory safety “scavenger hunt”. Through this activity, students will learn about storage requirements, chemical risks, and other potential delicate matters." (SR)

New Links on our web for the week of Nov 1, 2007

Thu, 01 Nov 2007 20:40:37 GMT

New Links on our web for the week of Nov 1, 2007

Colleges and Careers

College Prep 101 "Help with the process of applying to, selecting and transitioning to college." (IRN)

Government, Elections, and Law

State Blue Books prepared by the Government Documents Roundabletable of the American Library Association. (FGI)

Leisure

Mad About Moss: The Simple Art of Moss Gardening "This article describes one gardener's experience replacing a lawn with a moss carpet. Describes conditions for moss growth, starting and maintaining a moss garden, and related topics. From the newsletter of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden." (LII)

Teacher Resources

Teaching Math: A Video Library "Would Lewis Carroll have approved of using "Alice in Wonderland" to teach algebra? We may never know, but that exact possibility turns up in episode two of the valuable "Teaching Math" series created by staffers at WGBH Boston. This series shows teachers demonstrating "the fine art of guiding students through reasoning and problem solving." Along the way, students chime in with comments about their experiences, and the overall learning milieu is improved as a result. All told, the series contains twenty episodes which cover patterns, congruence, exponential functions, and the very act of communicating about mathematical ideas. The series is one that will be most intriguing to mathematics educators, and they will want to tell like-minded instructors to take a look at the site and watch a few episodes online." (SR)
Wake Forest University Physics Demonstration Videos "Physics is plenty exciting on its own, but this clutch of physics demonstration videos offered up by Wake Forest University's Physics departments will probably have students running out to learn more about string theory and cosmology. Teachers will definitely appreciate this resource, as they can use these videos in the classroom or just recommend to their students. Visitors can view the videos in their entirety by subject headings, which include "Motion", "Heat", "Optics", and not surprisingly, "Newton". All told there are dozens of videos, including "Bed of Nails", "Cartesian Diver", and the surreal yet appropriately titled "Marshmallow Man". Overall, this resource is a delightful find." (SR)

New Links on our web for the week of October 25, 2007

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:05:43 GMT

New Links on our web for the week of October 25, 2007

Colleges and Careers

College Navigator "This source for college information allows you to search for U.S. colleges by name, location, type of institution, and programs/majors. Provides material about expenses, financial aid, enrollment, admission, athletics, and more. Include multiple institutions on a "favorites" list to see side-by-side comparisons. Also includes links to material about applying for financial aid and careers. From the Institute of Education Science (IES) National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education." (LII)

Health

Autism Speaks "Website for this organization "dedicated to funding global biomedical research into the causes, prevention, treatments, and cure for autism." Features material about organization's activities and policies, and background about autism including how to cope, how to grow with it, and video clips "to help parents and professionals learn more about the early red flags and diagnostic features of autism spectrum disorders (ASD)." Access to videos requires free registration." (LII)

Homework

Learn Spanish online Free interactive lesson

Leisure

NeighborWorks America "Website for this "national nonprofit organization created by Congress to provide financial support, technical assistance, and training for community-based revitalization efforts." Features news, case studies, and reports on subjects such as aging in place, disaster preparedness, foreclosure solutions, home equity protection, manufactured housing, predatory lending, and refinancing. Also includes materials about campaigns, such as its free telephone consultation service on foreclosure solutions. Includes listings of local NeighborWorks member organizations." (LII)