November 11th, 2009How Schools Develop the Best Online Degree Programs
There are dozens of online schools, and hundreds of degree programs offered within those schools, which causes us to question how these programs take off to literally become the “best” degree programs available. Many factors go into developing this type of degree program, including accreditation, cost, and options offered. New schools rarely garner this type of attention that is given to schools that have had years of opportunities to make a name for themselves.
Developing online degree programs that appeal to the masses is difficult to do during a time in which people are not experimenting with different degrees. However, our economy has shifted in such a way that many students are looking at alternative degrees that make better sense in this economic time. No longer are students wishing to delve deeper into English degrees or Political Science degrees, but instead are looking at degrees which will guarantee them a career, such as Criminal Justice or Health Administration. Schools which offer degree programs in these types of majors are more appealing to students, especially if they offer more specialized degrees within their fields.
A factor for many students is also the cost of enrollment. With college costs skyrocketing, it is no surprise that online colleges have had to raise their prices as well. However, a few schools that are accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council have managed to keep costs low for many of their degree programs. Charging around $500-600 per course hour for undergraduate degrees and a little over $600 per hour for graduate degrees, these schools offer degrees at competitive rates, thereby attracting students to their programs. The amount of grants and scholarships offered within these schools often makes a difference as well. However, many new schools do not have the means to provide such scholarships at their onset, which helps to explain how the best online degree programs are usually in schools that have been in existence for a few years.
The options within most schools are slowly expanding to offer students the opportunity to explore different undergraduate degrees as well as forms of Masters Degrees. MBAs are becoming increasingly popular within the business world, as more and more executives are attaining degrees via online universities in order to get a pay raise. Similarly, Ph.D.s are becoming popular as well within health industry degrees and other business related degrees. Schools that offer the best degree programs for students in both undergraduate and graduate degrees are often those that are the top rated within their field. Appealing to a wide array of the population is one way to improve in ranking and to continue on a solid course.
April 14th, 2009100 Free and Essential Web Tools to Launch Your Art Career
It’s rarely easy to get started as an artist, but there are numerous resources available to help you get there. Whether you’re looking for career guides or a site that can host your portfolio, you’re in the right place. Read on to find 100 of the best tools for getting started with your art career.
Portfolios & Galleries
Put your portfolio up using these tools, and get some exposure for your art.
- FinalCrit: Create an easy, beautiful Flash gallery of your images through FinalCrit.
- FigDig: Show off your work in high resolution through FigDig.
- Artween: This social networking site is entirely devoted to artists and art lovers.
- ArtistPortfolios: Share your work in multiple galleries through this site.
- ArtSlant: This contemporary art network will help you stay connected to local arts, as well as share your events.
- E=MC²: E=MC² offers a place for you to network with other creative people, sell your art, and become famous.
- artselector: artselector will allow you to set up your art profile page and join the directory of fine artists, galleries, and curators.
- Voodoo Chili: This site offers a small portfolio where you can upload images, post your resume, get comments, and more.
- MyFolio: Use MyFolio to upload your work, references, and more to share with the world.
- Carbonmade: Host your own free online portfolio using the tools from Carbonmade.
- #artmesh: Become a part of #artmesh, and you’ll be able to connect with other art lovers, art professionals, and more.
- Humble Voice: Join Humble Voice to be a part of this community of artists and those who appreciate them.
- MyArtSpace: MyArtSpace is an online social network for the art world.
- Behance Network: Join this community for creative portfolios, collaborations, tips, jobs, and more.
- ArtMajeur: Show off your work and sell it, too through this online portfolio.
- Meseon: Participate in the art world and share your work on Meseon.
- Viewbook: Viewbook offers a simple, drag-and-drop way to showcase your work online.
- Shadowness: This online portfolio tool is great for digital artists who want to share their images.
- Facebook: Share your art with an everyday audience on Facebook.
- Taltopia: You can share your portfolio, network, and connect to get your art recognized.
- Asoboo: Creatives can find a great network in Asoboo.
- Independent Collectors: Get noticed by people who collect art in this network.
- quarterlife: quarterlife offers a great place for you to socially network with other creatives.
Communities
Join these communities to network with other artists.
- DeviantArt: In this online arts community, you can get recognition for your work.
- GeekMeet: Connect with other creative artist geeks through Geek Meet.
- Behance: Check out this design community to post your work, network, and find a job.
Job Boards
You can find internships, jobs, and other opportunities through these boards.
- Arts Opportunities: This online classifieds bank serves the arts industry.
- Coroflot: Share your portfolio and peruse job listings through Coroflot’s site.
- Creative Pool: Discover hundreds of creative jobs in the UK from Creative Pool.
- Art Job Online: You can find national listings for jobs, internships, and more on Art Job Online.
- Creative Hotlist: Graphic designers, writers, photographers, and illustrators can find work here.
- Arts Culture Media Jobs: This website features jobs for creative people.
- Idealist: Check out Idealist to find jobs and internships with nonprofits in the arts and otherwise.
- Guru: Offer your services as a freelance artist in this marketplace.
- Tip Top Jobs: Find jobs in fashion, art, and design through Tip Top Jobs.
- Rhizome: Check out Rhizome to find job and event listings in alternative media and fine digital art.
- Variety Careers: Get connected with entertainment and media jobs on Variety Careers.
- Dice.com: For those who combine technology and art, find a job on Dice.com.
- EntertainmentCareers.net: Check out this site to find hundreds of entertainment jobs and internships.
- Fashion Net: Find out of about jobs and positions in fashion from Fashion Net.
Career Guides
Learn more about the career you’re getting into with these career guides.
- Visual Arts Career Guide: You can find links to guides for visual art-related careers here.
- O*Net: O*Net offers career guides in the arts job family, even highlighting those that are currently in demand.
- Performing Arts Overview: This career overview discusses requirements, job outlook, career tracks, and compensation for performing artists.
- Interior Design Career Zone: In this profile, you’ll learn about creating your career as an interior designer.
- Artist Career Guide: How to Make a Living as An Artist: This guide offers a wealth of useful information for working as an artist.
- Artists and Related Workers: Check out the Bureau of Labor Statistics guide on artists and related workers to understand the market and career expectations for artists.
- Graphic Designer Career Zone: Learn about the job duties, work environment, and more to understand what it’s like to work as a graphic designer.
- Visual Arts Overview: In this career overview, you’ll learn what you can expect from a career in visual arts.
- Careers in the Arts: SUNY Oswego discusses a variety of career possibilities that involve the arts.
- A Career Guide for Studio Art Majors: The University of Texas offers this guide to making it as a studio artist.
- Graphic Design and Printing Career Guide: Learn about different job descriptions in graphic design and printing from this resource.
- Art-What can I do with this degree?: Skidmore College offers strategies for using your art degree.
- A Career Guide for Art History Majors: You can learn more about art history as a career from this guide.
- How to be a TV Writer NBC Universal shares a few steps to becoming a television writer.
- Photographers: The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ guide for photographers explains job outlook, earnings, and more.
- A Career Guide for Art History Majors: If you’re an Art History major, be sure to check out this career guide.
- Career Alternatives for Art Historians: Learn about a variety of different career options available to art historians.
- Graphic Designers: Learn about the training required, nature of the work, and outlook in general for graphic designers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Resume
Get help creating the perfect art resume from these tools.
- Art Resume Templates: Download these templates to get started on your art resume.
- Art Resumes: What should they look like?: This article explains what you need to include in your art resume.
- Writing an art resume: Learn about important details and considerations for your art resume.
- Portfolios for Employment: Create your portfolio with employment in mind here.
- Artist Resume: Recommending Conventions: This advice highlights general guidelines you should follow when writing an art resume.
Cover Letter & Artist Statement
If you’re stumped writing your artist statement or cover letter, you can find some help here.
- How to write an Artist Statement: Follow these steps to craft your artist statement.
- Sample Cover Letter-Arts: This cover letter sample is perfect for artists.
- Write a Cover Letter: Find characteristics of weak cover letters, and learn what you can do to improve yours here.
- How to Write an Artist Statement: Follow these steps to create your own artist’s statement.
- Art Cover Letter: Here you’ll learn about crafting a cover letter for your art career.
- Your Artist Statement-Explaining the Unexplainable: This article covers the important task of writing an artist statement.
Finance & Calculators
There’s no question about it-launching an art career requires smart financial thinking. Get some help from these tools.
- Mini Financial Plan for Artists: In this financial plan, you’ll find a questionnaire, calculators, and great advice for managing your finances as an artist.
- 7 FREE Ways to Promote and Sell Your Art Online: Artists can get exposure from these 7 great resources.
- Financial Goal Setting Worksheet: Use this worksheet to state your long and short term financial goals as an artist.
- The Starving Artist Guide to Financial Planning: Get an overview of the basics of financial planning for starving artists.
Assessments
Take these quizzes and other assessments to find out if you’re ready to pursue a career in the arts.
- Should You Quit Your Job for Art?: Find out if you’re ready to live your dream or not.
- Career Assessment Tests: This advice from Career Toolkits will help you find the career assessment test that’s right for you.
- Everyday Self-Care Quiz for Artists: Create a healthier work and home life with the help of this quiz.
- Quiz: Should You Make a Career Change?: This quiz will help you determine if it’s a good time to change your career.
- What’s Your Dream Career?: Learn about your dream career through this assessment.
- Test Your Art-Selling IQ: This quiz will tell you how likely you are to sell your art or not.
- Do You Handle Stress Creatively?: The life of an artist is often stressful, and this quiz can help you determine how well you can cope.
- The Clutter and Creativity Quiz for Artists: Use this quiz to determine whether or not your creativity is being blocked by clutter.
- Do you have what it takes to be a successful artist?: Take this quiz, and you’ll find out your chances for really making it.
Career Change
If you’re adopting art as a second career, you can find help making the change here.
- Changing Careers: Here you’ll find excellent advice for making the switch to life as a full time artist.
- Career Change Dos and Don’ts: Get solid advice for making a smooth transition here.
- The "Okay, I think I’m ready to be a professional artist," Checklist: Make sure you’ve taken care of these important details before you quit your day job.
- The 10-Step Plan to Career Change: Learn about the steps to take when you’re leaving your career behind.
- Changing Careers in Midstream: This article offers advice for switching things up in the middle of your career.
- This is Just My Day Job: Find out how to step outside of your day job to be more artistic in your life.
Advice
You’ll find valuable art career advice here.
- Understanding Rejection: Check out this advice to learn how to understand and deal with rejection.
- Building an Art Career: Ask the Recruiter: This article explains the marketability of an art career.
- How to Find a Job: Here you’ll find lots of great advice for a successful job hunt.
- 5 Facts Artists Have to Face to Succeed in Business: Follow this advice to learn how to succeed as an artist in business.
- Telecommuting: Is it For You?: You can find out whether working at home is a good idea for you, or if you need to work with other artists in a community studio.
- Choosing Art as a Career: Learn about career options, money, and more.
- How to Succeed in Animation: Gene Deitch offers this advice for doing well in the field of animation.
- After School Special: Advice for Emerging Designers Lynda Decker of Decker Design has some smart advice about the steps you should take when building a successful design career. Before You Choose a Visual Art Career
- : Read this advice to carefully consider your future in the visual arts.
- Art Careers-How to Research Careers in Art: Check out this article to learn where to go to learn about art careers.
- Get a Design Job!: Download RitaSue Siegel’s Get a Design Job free from the AIGA and get some useful advice on breaking in to the world of design.
- Art Deadlines List: Learn about the deadlines and requirements for art competitions, internships, jobs, scholarships, and other opportunities.
January 23rd, 2009Fresh Start – Study Skills for the Spring Semester
After a much-needed winter break, the spring semester is an opportunity to make a fresh start in your educational efforts. Whether you achieved all of your goals in the fall semester or didn’t do quite as well as you’d hoped, there are some habits you can adopt that will make you more successful in your college career. Read on for some tips to help you make the grade this spring.
Rest Up
Your mind will not operate optimally if you don’t get enough rest, so make sure that a good night’s sleep is part of your daily routine. Establishing healthy sleep patterns will give your body the time it needs to repair itself and help make sure that you make the most of your waking hours. Additionally, good sleep is vital for healthy immune system performance, which will help make sure that you don’t miss any classes due to illness.
Stay on Top of Your Reading
College classes require a lot of reading, so make sure that you get your reading done in a timely fashion. It is very hard to get caught up on reading once you fall behind, and your retention rate will suffer as well. This is especially important in literature and history classes, where the details and intricacies are vital to your comprehension.
Skim Only to Review
As important as reading is, if you are taking a heavy class load there may be some things that get lost along the way. Save skimming for dedicated review time; if you have already read the material, skimming is a great way to help you recall what you have read in the past. Skimming for any other reason should be avoided because details are lost and main points may be skipped entirely. Skimming for review before lectures, discussions, and tests can be very valuable, but should not replace reading altogether.
Create Timelines for Projects and Papers
Don’t procrastinate when it comes to large projects or papers—the quality of your work is more likely to suffer if you do. Take out your syllabus for each class and map out due dates on a calendar, then create milestones to have certain parts of the projects and papers ready on specific dates. This will be most helpful when it comes to crunch time; often many projects seem to be due around the same time, so it’s best to have a game plan in place long in advance.
Join Study Groups
In each class you take, get the phone numbers and email from three other people. This will be helpful if you ever end up missing a class or need some clarification when studying or writing a paper. Additionally, you should form a study group or join one in each and every class so that you have others to work with before tests to ensure that you are ready for exams. Study groups are great ways to make friends and help you with your overall performance in classes as well.
January 20th, 200950+ Free Open Courseware Classes for Social Media Mavens
Social media offers an excellent way for people to connect with the world around them, but there’s a lot to learn about using it. Whether you’re concerned with the way interaction works, or want to know about marketing, there are plenty of excellent resources that will help you learn what you need to know. Check out these Open CourseWare resources that can offer much in the way of a social media education.
Introduction
These courses will help you learn the basics of social media.
- Introduction to Media Studies: Get an introductory understanding of media by following this course. [MIT]
- Virtual Communities/Social Media: This course explains how virtual communities are created and maintained. [Berkeley]
New Media
Find out how new media works with these courses.
- Journals as Portals of Electronic Publication: This learning resource explores journals as an electronic, living publication. [Rice University]
- Becoming Digital: Writing About Media Change: Check out this course for help in learning how to communicate about media change. [MIT]
- Media in Transition: Take a look at a variety of changes in the media through this course. [MIT]
- Web 2.0: Follow current developments in user behavior, new technologies, and more in this course. [Weber State University]
- Impact of New Information Sources: Multimedia and Networks: Check out this course to see how new information sources are impacting multimedia and networks. [NYU]
- New Media Literacies: Follow this course, and you’ll get an in-depth look at literacy theory in media contexts. [MIT]
Social Marketing
These courses discuss social media and marketing together.
- Principles of Internet Marketing: In this resource, you’ll learn all about e-marketing principles and social media integration. [Innovation]
- Measuring Rich Media: How to Build, Measure, and Profit using RIA on Your Site: See how using rich Internet applications and social media can pay off. [Omniture]
- Marketing Strategy: This course will help you devise a marketing strategy for social media and beyond. [MIT]
- Brand Identity and Strategy: In this course, you’ll learn about creating a strong brand identity through social media and more. [Columbia]
- Listening to the Customer: This important part of marketing is especially useful in social media interaction. [MIT]
- Social Marketing: Get an overview of what social marketing is through this course. [York University]
- Tips for Expanding Your Online Presence: This course explains how musicians can use Internet tools, including social media, to improve their presence. [Berklee Shares]
- Next Generation Social Marketing: In this course, you’ll learn how to use social media for marketing. [Social Marketing University]
- Viral Marketing Theory: Check out this course to learn about viral strategies and buzz marketing. [Emakina]
Education
Here, you’ll see how social media can be put to work for education.
- Blogs, Wikis, New Media for Learning: This course discusses using social media as a learning tool. [Utah State University]
- Media Education and the Marketplace: Check out this course to see the rise of media technology in education and beyond. [MIT]
- New Media, Social Media, and Learning: In this course, you’ll see new media and social media tools used for learning. [OpenContent]
- Digital Learners: How Are They Expanding the Horizon of Learning?: Find out how young learners use social media and more to push the envelope of education. [Connexions]
- Improving Literacy Through Communication Experiences: Through this course, you’ll see how communication and interaction through social media and more can help with literacy. [Connexions]
Culture
See culture’s influence on social media, and social media’s influence on culture, with the help of these courses.
- Media in Cultural Context: In this course, you’ll learn how culture influences media. [MIT]
- The Celebrity in the Text: Check out this unit to learn about the consequence of consuming cultural media. [The Open University]
- Civil Society, Social Capital, and the State in Comparative Perspective: Learn about the concepts of social capital and civil society through this course. [MIT]
- Digital Anthropology: Check out this course to consider the artifacts of digital interaction and social media. [MIT]
- Foundations of American Cyberculture: This course will help you better understand how culture works online. [Berkeley]
- Brains and Culture: Check out this course to see the brain as a cultural object in contemporary media. [MIT]
- Language, Culture, and Communication: From this course, students will gain knowledge about the way language, culture, and communication interrelate. [University of Texas]
Interaction
Through these courses, you’ll learn more about the interaction in social media.
- Social Psychology: This course explores human behavior in groups. [MIT]
- The Social in Social Science: Take a look at social scientific studies in this course. [The Open University]
- Communicating in Cyberspace: This course discusses the various forms of digital communication available online. [MIT]
- Communication Technology and Policy: In this course, you’ll see the roles played by communication technologies in society, as well as challenges created by social media. [University of Southern Queensland]
- Web 2.0: Risks for STI/HIV: In this lecture, you’ll learn about the risks and prevention of sexually transmitted illnesses as they relate to social networking and Internet dating sites. [Johns Hopkins]
- Techno-Identity: Check out this course to explore the concept of technological perception of self. [MIT]
- Social Networking: You’ll learn about the origins of social media and how to use social media for networking through this course. [xTrain]
- Managing Relationships: In this course, you’ll learn all about organizational relationships. [The Open University]
- Social Visualization: Learn how to visualize and understand the social crowds gathering online with the help of this course. [MIT]
- Dynamics of Social Systems: This collection offers ideas of science and engineering that can be applied to social systems. [Rice University]
- Social Psychology: Benjamin Karney’s course offers insight into the psychology of social interaction and groups. [UCLA]
- Planning, Communications, and Digital Media: Find out how social media, digital visualization, and more can be used for planning and communications. [MIT]
- Diversity and Difference in Communication: Through this course, you’ll learn all about interpersonal communication. [The Open University]
- Social Psychology: This course will help you better understand the way social psychology works. [Berkeley]
- Language and Mind: Check out this course to see how human language and interaction influences our minds. [MIT]
- Experiences in Interactive Art: Learn how to create art through interaction with the help of this course. [MIT]
Developing Social Media
Using these courses, you’ll be able to learn about creating social media.
- Designing Sociable Media: This course looks at creating social media, analyzing interaction and social cues. [MIT]
- The Future of the Internet: Check out this collection of lectures to find out what the future holds for the Internet. [Stanford]
- Human-Computer Interaction: Follow this course, and you’ll learn more about designing for interaction with users. [Central Queensland University]
- Software Engineering for Web Applications: With the help of this course, you can learn more about designing social media web applications. [Ars Digita University]
- Interactive Media Production: Through this course, you’ll see how to create a variety of interactive multimedia applications. [Utah State University]
- Common Sense Reasoning for Interactive Applications: This course will help you learn to use common sense knowledge when creating interactive applications. [MIT]
- Relational Machines: In this course, you can learn how to better design for interaction. [MIT]
- Interrogative Design Workshop: Learn about creating design that requires interaction from this course. [MIT]
- Signals, Systems, and Information for Media Technology: Check out this course to learn more about the cues often found in media technology. [MIT]
January 19th, 2009100 Terrific Websites to Celebrate National Library Week
This year, National Library Week is April 12-18. It offers students, teachers, public, government and academic librarians, and anyone who loves to read a wonderful opportunity to learn about the new trends in information sharing, digital collections and reference tools that have changed the way we use libraries. This list of 100 websites will teach you about National Library Week, give you ideas of how and why to get your kids or students interested in reading and libraries, and remind you to say thanks to your local librarian.
Library Week News and Events
Find out what’s on tap for this year’s NLW from these sites.
- National Library Week: The ALA’s official National Library Week page has press releases, dates, and more.
- Celebrate Library Week: Education World has a list of lesson plans, projects and more to celebrate National Library Week in your classroom.
- Motivational Ideas for Children’s Book Week and National Library Week: James Madison University suggests field trips, authors projects, a favorite book project and bulletin board designs for NLW.
- National Library Week/School Library Month Fact Sheet: Find out the history of NLW here.
- Library Spot National Library Week: Discover how different libraries across the country celebrate NLW.
- ALA Store: Shop the American Library Association Store for author posters, posters with characters, CD products and more.
- ALA Calendar of Events: Track the ALA calendar for special events celebrating National Library Week.
- National Library Week: Discover slogans for each National Library Week campaign since 1958.
- National Library Workers Day: Remember to thank your librarians and library professionals on this special day.
- National Library Week–a Philatelic Tribute: The Library History Buff displays images of the library’s different slogans that appeared on meter stamps, dating back to 1958.
Librarian and Library Blogs
Get a more inside look into the lives of librarians and the goings-on of library professionals here.
- ALA Blogs: Check out the blogs on the ALA website for library news and special events.
- The Shifted Librarian: Jenny blogs about the shift in the ways libraries retrieve and share information. Learn about new library technologies and more.
- Science Library Pad: Find out what it’s like to research in and run a science library. You’ll learn about new technological systems and more.
- @ the Library: Rhonda Gonzales of the CSU - Pueblo Library keeps library and reading enthusiasts connected through local news stories, library 2.0 updates, search help and more.
- The Kept-Up Academic Librarian: College students, deans, college librarians, professors and those who use academic libraries will learn how to keep their research centers cutting-edge when they read this blog.
- DRT Library Weblog: The Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library at the Alamo share documents from Texas history and give you a peek inside the goings-on at a history and preservation library.
- ACRLog: The Association of College and Research Libraries maintains this blog.
- hangingtogether: This blog connects staff at libraries, archives and museums to "talk about the intersections [they] see happening between these three different types of institutions."
- PublicLiterature.org: This isn’t a library blog, but it’s kind of like an open project for readers and library lovers. Discover new books and authors or share your favorites as a contributor.
- Smithsonian Libraries: The Smithsonian Institution Libraries maintain this blog as an avenue to share messages from the director, highlight special books and exhibitions, share a Book of the Week and more.
- Librarian In Black: Techie librarians get together on this blog.
- Rambling Librarian: This librarian from Singapore blogs about reading, library news and more.
- Hip Librarians Book Blog: Find out which books librarians are loving or loathing here.
- A Librarian’s Guide to Etiquette: This "polite librarian" knows just how to assign titles to posts.
- Annoyed Librarian: Annoyed Librarian now blogs for LibraryJournal.com. Read posts like "Telling off the Patrons" and "Children are Worth It" for news stories and library humor.
Find a Library
These sites will connect you to your nearest library.
- Search for Public Libraries: The National Center for Education Statistics helps you search for bookmobiles, central libraries, books-by-mail and more.
- Kids’ Zone: Kids can search for libraries in their neighborhood with this tool.
- WorldCat: This highly effective library tool lets you search 1.2 billion items for resources in your library.
- PublicLibraries.com: Search presidential libraries, college libraries, law libraries, state and public libraries and more.
- Find an OCLC Library: Search by institution name, state, zip code, country or symbol to locate a nearby OCLC library.
Library 2.0
Librarians are making huge progress in terms of adding new, cutting edge technologies to their libraries and revolutionizing the way we search for and obtain information. From social media networks that connect readers and librarians, to guides that explain the newest library tools and systems, check out this list for all things library 2.0.
- Access My Library: This search page connects the public to quality resources found in local libraries.
- LibGuides Librarian: This Facebook app lets librarians publish guides for their friends and followers.
- TeacherLibrarianNing: This is a community site for teacher-librarians to share events, join groups and more.
- BookJetty: Use this online platform to organize titles and book lists, find Amazon reviews and shopping information, check for books in over 300 libraries, and meet new friends.
- GuruLib: Here you can "organize your home library" by cataloging books and other media, sharing reviews and more.
- GoodReads: GoodReads is a social media site for book lovers and librarians to share their favorite books, meet friends, join groups and discover new material.
- Google for Librarians: Tips, Tools and Resources for Power Searching: Get more cutting edge search tips here.
- ConnectviaBooks: On this site, you can talk about your favorite books, share book lists, search for librarians and experts on a particular subject, and more.
- aNobii: aNobii is another social media site for book lovers who want to evangelize for their favorite books.
- Library 2.0 Ning: Check out this community for library 2.0 updates, news and more.
- Library 2.0: Wikipedia’s Library 2.0 page points out the arguments for and against more technologically advanced libraries.
- ALA Tech Source Online: The American Library Association’s TechSource page grants you access to Library Technology Reports.
- Library Thing: This network of 500,000 members lets you catalog books from The Library of Congress and other libraries.
Government Resources
These government resources provide research help, information on literacy and education, and more.
- U.S. Government Printing Office: On this website, you can locate federal depository libraries, shop the U.S. government online bookstore, learn about the federal government (from Ben Franklin), and more.
- National Center for Education Statistics: Get news reports and studies on literacy, graduation rates, and more. Plus, you can find college libraries, public libraries and other resources.
- Library of Congress: The Library of Congress is the ultimate resource for teachers, students, researchers and anyone wanting to learn about American art, history and culture.
- That All May Read…: This is the site for the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.
- Government and Public Libraries: USA.gov lists all the national, federal agency and local libraries here, plus online library databases and other resources.
Public Libraries
From great public libraries online to links that celebrate public libraries, turn to these sites.
- New York Public Library: This amazing website features digital collections, a homework help page, a kids’ page, library shop and more.
- Internet Public Library: Search by subject, reference or special collections to access resources online.
- California Public Libraries: Get links to all the public libraries in the state of California here.
- USA Public Libraries: Search for public libraries in the U.S. by region.
- Public Libraries Association: Check this site for PLA news, advocacy and campaigns information, conferences, jobs and more.
- Boston Public Library: The BPL’s online collections feature sound archives, historic silent films, photographs and an image database, the John Adams Library collections, and more.
Academic Libraries
These distinguished academic libraries have public-friendly access.
- USA Academic Libraries: Find links to academic libraries around the country.
- Yale University Library Digital Collections: View images from the Classics Department, Rare Book and Manuscript Library and more online.
- Tarlton Law Library: The U.T. Tarlton Law Library is open to the public for online research.
Presidential Libraries
Learn more about U.S. history and the lives of presidents like JFK and LBJ here.
- National Archives Presidential Libraries: Learn about the function and purpose of presidential libraries here, as well as research projects and visiting information.
- LBJ Library and Museum: When you visit this library, you can access recordings of LBJ’s telephone conversations with Kissinger, Jackie Kennedy and more.
- Ronald Reagan Presidential Library: Even online visitors can view the photograph archives, listen to audio recordings and news stories, and more.
- John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum: View the JFK in History Archives, Hemingway Archive, White House Diary and more.
- George Bush Presidential Library and Museum: Search public papers, view the China Documents from Bush’s presidency, and download National Security Directives here.
Books by Mail and Lending Drives
Learn how you can help the disadvantaged get books here.
- Dewey Donation System: Donate books to libraries in need through this system.
- BookSwim: This online book rental service lets you check out textbooks and more.
- Book Drives Inc: Learn how to set up a book drive when you visit this site.
- Worldwide Book Drive: This organization is on a mission to improve literacy worldwide. Donate books through the book drives every year.
Library Tips and Guides
Ever wanted to learn more about using your library? Turn to these guides for help.
- 100 Free Library 2.0 Webinars and Tutorials: Check out this extensive list of free library guides and library techie tips.
- Library Technology Guides: Here you can access "key resources in the field of library automation."
- How to Use the Library: Introduce your kids to the Dewey Decimal System, catalog searches and more.
- Teaching Children to Use Their Public Library: This guide from Laura Bush is actually a good refresher for anyone who hasn’t been to the public library in a while.
Library Videos
These informative and funny tributes celebrates librarians and their work.
- National Library Week: Reference Desk: This video from 2008 is still a funny look at how people use librarians.
- Julie Andrews Public Library PSA: Watch Julie Andrew’s PSA celebrating last year’s NLW.
- A Librarian’s 2.0 Manifesto: In this slightly cheesy video, you’ll read the manifesto for librarians committed to taking their patrons into the future of information sharing.
- A YouTube Salute to Librarians: This silly video features a montage of YouTube videos devoted to librarians.
- The Librarians of Second Life: Get inspired to join the Second Life Library or start your own virtual library world.
Librarian Careers
After learning so much about libraries and librarians, you might want to become one. Here are resources describing the profession.
- How to become a librarian: The Library Journal’s guide explains the duties of a librarian and the different types of librarians.
- Become a Librarian!: Listen to stories from real life librarians, look up school programs and more.
- Librarians: The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook has all kinds of statistics, salary information and educational requirements for librarians.
- Online Degree Programs in Library Science: Get an overview of this profession and search for academic programs here.
- Library Journal Job Board: Find jobs as library directors, county librarians, school librarians and more.
- Why be a librarian in the 21st century?: Rutgers explains how librarians are still cutting edge, necessary professionals. Get stories about real-life librarians, discover famous librarians and more.
Podcasts
Subscribe to these podcasts to keep up with library trends and news.
- LibeCast: Cornell University Library’s LibeCast has audio recordings of special presentations and more.
- National Library of Medicine Director’s Comments: Listen to updates and information from NLM Director Donald A.B. Lindberg, M.D. on alcohol screening, family health, liver transplants and more.
- Tisch Talks: Tufts’ Tisch Library has a podcast that features library news as well as interviews with visiting authors and more.
- LibVibe: Get library-related news from this podcast.
More Library Websites and Networks
From library history to Children’s Book Week, these websites and networks love libraries.
- I Love Libraries: This network supports libraries and encourages the public to support the Library Services and Technology Act.
- American Libraries Online: This ALA site has a forum, special videos, news reports and more.
- The Library History Buff: Larry T. Nix’s site is devoted to library history facts, collecting library memorabilia, and uncovering postal artifacts–like stamp images–that relate to libraries.
- Progressive Librarians Guild: Join this forum if you’re interested in taking libraries and literacy campaigns into the future in a "radical" way.
- The Children’s Book Council: Get information about Children’s Book Week, find reading lists for kids, and more.
- Books Well Read: Encourage your students or patrons to keep a book journal online.
- lib.rario.us: This cataloging and community site is a great way for librarians to meet other book lovers and share their favorites.
- Survivor: The History of the Library: Learn about ancient libraries and The Golden Age of libraries here.
- The Library Company: Get a history of Benjamin Franklin and the first American libraries from this website.
- Questia: Questia is a popular, useful online library resource that lets you search by topic, look up books, purchase collections for your classroom, and more.
- EPA National Library Network: Use this library to look up environmental issues and publications.
- Education and Library Networks Coalition: This network is devoted to bringing the "information revolution" to underprivileged schools and rural communities.
- Progressive Archivists: Learn more about archiving when you eavesdrop on the discussions here.
- Reader2: This social book list lets you share your favorite titles as well as titles you’re looking forward to reading. You can also find friends and track lists via RSS.
- Bookcrossing.com: Celebrate reading when you share your love of books with over 700,000 people from around the world.
January 8th, 2009Hello world!
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