Go here for some possible additions to your library pages from Verizon's Thinkfinity, including resources, lesson plans, features and Today in History. Thinkfinity partners with organizations such as ArtsEdge (John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts), EconEdLink (Council for Economic Education), EdSiteMent (http://www.neh.gov/), Illuminations (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics), LiteracyNetwork (National Center for Family Literacy), ReadWriteThink, (International Reading Association), Science NetLinks (American Association for the Advancement of Science), Smithsonian's History Explorer (Smithsonian's National Museum of American History) and Xpeditions (National Geographic Society) to connect educators and students to quality resources.  Pretty impressive spectrum gathered together in one resource. And these are just the Content Partners. There are a host of State and Supporting Contributors as well. 
I know I'd like to have this resource linked to my webpage!                          Katie

With something for Kindergarten through grade 12 here is a great list of award winning non-fiction books from Booklist Online to consider for your collection. Without a subscription to their online service you may not be able to drill too far into their site but remember that LMS subscribes to the print version and you are welcome to check it out. While you're there be sure to check out their other links in the menus on the sides... always treasures to be found.              Katie

Heard about the libraries across the country going to a "bookstore" format?  Here is a free 50 minute podcast about a library in Maricopa County, AZ that did just that. While much of the information pertains to a public library setting, this particular library also serves a high school, so there are items that might be of use to the school library world.
http://ifpmedia.org/podcasts/The_Deweyless_Library.mp3
This link talks about the session and has links to the powerpoint slides which you really need to follow to get the most out of  the podcast-
http://www.infopeople.org/training/webcasts/webcast_data/291/index.html
So, on these rainy "snow" days, get yourself a cup of cocoa and sit back and listen. OR.. check out some of the other options at http://www.infopeople.org/training/webcasts/list/archived

Katie

The themes for the upcoming summer reading programs, facilitated by public libraries nationwide, will be: for the Children's Program "One World, Many Stories" and for the Teen Program "You Are Here." 
Think about ways you can utilize these great themes come spring time to encourage the students to participate in the programs and keep reading.... all year long.  See the State Library's webpage for the Summer Reading Program for a preview of the artists' work they'll be using to advertise the program.

Bring your class to a live webcast from the tundra!
November 15 and 16

Connect with world-renowned scientists during the annual polar bear migration. During this live webcast your students will see live footage of polar bears and have the chance to get their questions answered by an amazing panel of experts. Learn More
Understanding Polar Bears: Questions from Students Around the World - Monday, Nov. 15, 1PM ET
During this webcast, your students will see live footage of polar bears and have the chance to get their questions answered by an amazing panel of experts.  Featuring Lance Rougeux, live on location.

Polar Bears and Climate Change - Tuesday, Nov. 16, 11AM ET
Join a panel of experts as they focus on the effect a changing climate has had on polar bears. Student questions can be submitted in advance to be answered by the panel.  Featuring Lance Rougeux, live from the tundra.

check out this link.  Great little slide show I hope you'll all check out.                    Katie

Here is a website to share with your staff called Inupiat Heritage and Traditional Hunting. Not only does it have an extensive collection of wonderful photographs with some narration on the whale hunting process but also additional images of traditional activities like games and dancing as well as a page on a workshop about teen pregnancy. I think it could be used by elementary, middle and high school classes.
(this image courtesy of noaa.org)                                                                          Katie

Melanie Hadaway, from our Curriculum office, just stopped by to be sure we were aware of a series of graphic novels of the classics that are printed in three different levels of text. There is the Original Text, which " is the full, unabridged original script - just as the bard intended. This version is ideal for purists, students and for readers who want to experience the unaltered text."  Then there is the Plain Text, where they "..take the original script and "translate" it into modern English, verse-for-verse, whilst retaining the full essence of the play. If you've ever wanted to fully appreciate the works of Shakespeare but find the original language rather cryptic then this is the version for you!" And finally there is the Quick Text, where they "...take the dialogue and reduce it to as few words as possible; but because it still features the same artwork, this version retains all of the characters, plots and motives from the play. Ideal for younger readers, reluctant readers, or for people who want to get a quick but full understanding of the play."

What a great resource for classrooms that need to differentiate for students with varying abilities.  You can find out more at their website www.classicalcomics.com   They are a UK publisher so ordering direct doesn't look like an option but Amazon has many of the titles and some even in library binding (at a dear price naturally). The titles available include Frankenstein, Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, Henry V, Jane Eyre, The Tempest, Great Expectations, the Canterville Ghost, and the Christmas Carol.  In production are Midsummer Nights Dream, Dracula, Julius Caesar, Wuthering Heights, The Importance of  Being Earnest and Sweeney Todd.  Staring soon are Richard III and Hamlet.

A wonderful tutorial titled The Front Page of Alaska's Digital Archives on using the Alaska Digital Achives site is now available on YouTube.  This is a great 15 minute introduction to the resource and will be very useful to students, staff and families. Other tutorials prepared by the staff at Rasmuson Library on the UAF Campus include Collection-level Records in Alaska's Digital Archives. Hopefully more will be forthcoming. Especially nice would be a tutorial on advanced searching within the resource. It sounds like it may be in process.