The State Library makes access to EBSCO Explora possible.
EBSCO Explora (Middle School version) EBSCO Explora (High School) – new in the last year, Explora versions cross-search a bunch of the single-topic EBSCO databases. You may also browse topics and current events. Give Explora a try when starting your research topics.
The State Library makes access to online encyclopedias possible.
Encyclopedia Britannica School – a great place to start for any project. There are standard articles, but also images, videos, primary source documents, interactive maps, educational games, and even web-links that have been checked by Britannica staff. One of my favorite sections in Britannica is the Biography Browse, where you can look through historical figures by time period or what they are known for (poetry, science, etc). (from Lianne Flax's Blog Post)
Flickr hosts the world's largest photo archive. Not too long ago, the British Library uploaded one million scanned public domain images, including maps, landscapes, documents, diagrams, ornamental illustrations, technical drawings, paintings, and more. Check out their photostream to browse. Gradually, they will organize them into sets so they are easier to access.
What is the Kansas Library Card (KSLC)?
The Kansas Library Card is your entry to statewide online library resources, including high quality information and research databases. Use it to:
1. access the listing of databases -- please realize that many people can now access the database list without the need to log in. Please try accessing through this page.
2. register for resources that require a personal account to function (such as Kansas EZ Library audiobooks or ebooks, Learning Express Library)
What can be accessed with a KSLC?
How do I get a Kansas Library Card?
Request a card at CGHS High School Library or the CG Public Library. Almost any Kansas library can issue you one.
Encyclopedia Britannica is freely available to KS residents. The high school edition features some helpful study guides under the Learning Materials tab as well as news from The New York Times, a dictionary, biographical information, and a This Day in History feature. Students can also expand their search beyond the encyclopedia. For example, I searched Julius Caesar and found a solid article. To the right were links to Journals and Magazines, the Web's Best Sites, and Additional Reading specifically on Caesar. The web sites were particularly helpful. If you are in a hurry and want good information without a lot of fuss, this encyclopedia is a good place to start. One note: the audio tool feature is not as good as the text to speech feature built right into the Mac.
One of the freely available online databases available to any Kansas resident is the Auto Repair Reference Center. The database includes information about repair, video about how auto components function, guides to vehicle ownership and maintenance, and in-depth troubleshooting resources.
The State Library of Kansas provides terrific resources for high school students, and they are free for you to use any time. During the next six weeks or so, I will be sporadically highlighting different databases included here because, as you know, nothing warms a librarian's heart like a good database.
You gotta love a good dictionary site, and MacMillan has one of the best. I especially like the brain training games, including a killer Irregular Verb Wheel. Yes, you heard me. I am recommending an Irregular Verb Wheel. Take a look.