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January 2009, Volume 1, Issue 1

How does your library promote itself?

Send your PR Pointers to: Jane Healy

SIRS Discoverer & SIRS Researcher

Featured Electronic Resource of the Month

South Dakota Jr. Duck Stamp Contest

Contest Deadline is March 15th! Open to All South Dakota Students (K-12). More information is available at sdjuniorduck.org. Download the 8.5 x 11" poster to post at your library. (PDF file)

Featured Electronic Resource of the Month

SIRS Discoverer and SIRS Researcher

Need current magazine articles for student research and curriculum support? SIRS Discoverer and SIRS Researcher provide that and more.

    Both resources contain the following:
  • Reading level indicators and sorting
  • Current magazine and newspaper articles for young people
  • Topics covered in today’s curriculum
  • Educators’ tools with information literacy lesson aids
  • Maps, including historical and outline maps
  • Special features: Spotlight and Almanac

In addition, SIRS Discoverer, for grades K-9, contains Pathfinders, highlighting special things about the month, Activities arranged by topic, Biographies for magazine articles about people, Country Facts, and Photo Essays, arranged by topic with a photo and small amount of text. Discoverer Webfind Websites for Kids allows students to search for safe, authoritative websites. Search results offer a website summary and give reading level.

SIRS Researcher, for grades 6-12, specializes in Leading Issues, giving an overview, pro/con, and supporting articles and websites for over 100 current social issues on which students report or debate. The “My Analysis” section guides students through the critical thinking process, helping them determine their own opinions based on their research. SIRS Researcher is an excellent resource for persuasive term papers, speeches, debates, and presentations. A special feature, Curriculum Pathfinders, gives research ideas and information and supports 21st Century Skills in major subject areas.

Direct access is available from the South Dakota State Library website (http://library.sd.gov) within libraries in South Dakota, and 24/7 access is available to citizens from home with a library barcode and password.

Promotional materials are available here: library.sd.gov

Watch for webinar training here: library.sd.gov

databases, electronic resources

previous: Grant Opportunities | table of contents | next: Introductions

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