BC Books Online: Launching November 17th

An extensive online database of BC-published books

http://bcbooks.49thshelf.com

"For many years, the Association of Book Publishers of BC has been developing the concept for a comprehensive online database of BC-published books. With the input of library staff from across the province, we have developed a searchable, browsable database that showcases books in print from BC publishers in both print and ebook form. The website is now live and ready for use at bcbooks.49thshelf.com ."

Some key information:

• The database contains robust bibliographic data for approximately 8,500 books published by BC publishers
• The database is searchable through both a basic and advanced search function
• Browse titles by curated "BC Reading Lists", compiled by a BC librarian
  

"We plan to celebrate the creation of the website with a public announcement on November 17. We will also be finding helpful ways of parsing the database for librarians, including sending dedicated emails with title listings by special-interest category so that we can present groupings of books in manageable numbers to selections librarians."

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Critical Thinking Consortium tackles bullying

TC2 - Investigating Bullying

http://tc2.ca/uploads/TTT/Bullying.pdf

Students investigate bullying - for Elementary and Seconday students. The objectives of this lesson is to sensitize students to the impact of bullying, and discuss the topic through a variety of literacy strategies. (This TC2-developed critical challenge was previously published as a Tools for Thought resource.)

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Using Wikipedia for Academic Research

The encyclopedia that daren't speak its name!

http://www.clipinfolit.org/tutorials/using-wikipedia-for-academic-research

This short clip from the Cooperative Library Instruction Project (creator: Michael Baird) outlines how students can use Wikipedia to get an overall sense of a topic. They also see where it fits appropriately in the research process. (Key words, bibliography, etc.)

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UCSB Cylinder Audio Archive

Recordings made from the late 1800s to early 1900s

http://cylinders.library.ucsb.edu/playlists.php

Thanks to the University of California-Santa Barbara Cylinder Audio Archive, you can now download or stream a digital collection of more than 10,000 cylinder recordings. "This searchable database," says UCSB, "features all types of recordings made from the late 1800s to early 1900s, including popular songs, vaudeville acts, classical and operatic music, comedic monologues, ethnic and foreign recordings, speeches and readings." You can also find in the archive a number of "personal recordings," or "home wax recordings," made by everyday people at home (as opposed to by record companies).

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