Ideas

The C-SPAN Video Library includes nearly 60 appearances by Nelson Mandela on the C-SPAN networks dating back to 1990. You can stream most of them online along with being able to keyword search mechanically-generated transcripts of each program and create custom clips for sharing.

The “Good Comics for Kids” (blogs.slj.com/goodcomicsforkids) bloggers were burning the midnight oil this year, with a batch of top-notch fall releases that kept us reading—and debating—right up to our deadline. The top trend this year: kids’ books with adult appeal.

Text Messages is a monthly podcast service that makes it easy to stay up to date with the latest titles and trends in young adult literature.

It's a year-long process, but after watching hours upon hours of apps and debating their finer points, we have come up with "SLJ's Top Ten Apps 2013." Our list includes innovative works of stunning quality and depth, along with some familiar characters that host loads of engaging interactivity and game play.

Why should we study primary source documents? These are artifacts created by the people who lived through the events and time periods under study. Providing students the opportunity to study primary sources can give rise to student inquiry and encourage them to speculate about each source, its creator, and the context in which it was produced. The Library of Congress has millions of primary source documents and tools for teachers and students to dig into, 24/7.

School librarians, your administrators need you like never before. So let’s make 2014 the year that each of you strengthens your connection to your school’s mission and goals—explicitly, by taking a place at the table.

The end of the year draws year.  And it’s that time again! That’s right. Put the Thanksgivakkuh dishes away and get ready to smackdown. Librarians and teachers and other friends are invited to join me, Gwyneth and Tiff this coming Monday night for another exciting virtual, karaoke-style, smackdown! This is an opportunity for you to [...]

It’s not every day a teacher librarian is invited to the White House. Last week, our own Carolyn Foote spent a day there as a Champion of Change. In her reflection, Carolyn contends that leadership begins with sharing your voice, with being connected: Any one of us can lead–any teacher– any librarian–any administrator and any [...]

How do you get tweens and teens to be interested (and stay interested) in reading?