Articles and Discussions http://www.webjunction.org/internet-for-patrons 2009-05-31T18:59:55Z 2009-05-31T18:59:55Z Martha Shinners http://www.webjunction.org/internet-for-patrons/-/articles/content/451661 2009-05-31T18:59:55Z

This online book community was designed to help inspire, encourage, and empower young girls.<br><p><span><table class="content_macro_table" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" border="0"><tbody><tr><td><p><p>&nbsp;</p></p><p xmlns:o="urn:www.microsoft.com/office" xmlns:st1="urn:www.microsoft.com/smarttags" xmlns:w="urn:www.microsoft.com/word">In spring of 2007 four young adult authors from western Washington teamed up to create&nbsp;<a href="http://www.readergirlz.com/">readergirlz</a>, an online book community for girls. The impetus for joining forces was the experience author Justina Chen Headley had while doing a school visit. Realizing that not every school had budgets to host authors, she invited three kindred young adult novelists&mdash;award-winning authors Dia Calhoun, Janet Lee Carey and Lorie Ann Grover&mdash;to join her in developing what was to become readergirlz.<br />&nbsp;<br /><strong>Social networking around books</strong></p><p xmlns:o="urn:www.microsoft.com/office" xmlns:st1="urn:www.microsoft.com/smarttags" xmlns:w="urn:www.microsoft.com/word">Readergirlz includes a website, a blog and a MySpace site designed to make reading a fun, empowering, group experience. Girls connect to each other online, participate in author discussions, access loads of activities and programming ideas and link to a topic of the month that encourages community involvement.</p><p xmlns:o="urn:www.microsoft.com/office" xmlns:st1="urn:www.microsoft.com/smarttags" xmlns:w="urn:www.microsoft.com/word">Readergirlz's&nbsp;<a href="http://www.readergirlz.com/manifesta.html">manifesta</a> &nbsp;outlines their vision for the site:</p><ul xmlns:o="urn:www.microsoft.com/office" xmlns:st1="urn:www.microsoft.com/smarttags" xmlns:w="urn:www.microsoft.com/word"><li>Readergirlz is about girls having <em>serious fun</em> while talking about books with their friends and the authors.<br />&nbsp;</li><li>Readergirlz is about giving teen girls the <em>inside scoop</em> about why a novel was written&nbsp;&mdash;the tears and joys and real world angst that the author has lived and layered into her story.<br />&nbsp;</li><li>Readergirlz is about getting teen girls to read great books so the girls get to <em>know themselves</em>, their friends, and yes, even their mothers, better.<br />&nbsp;</li><li>Readergirlz is about <em>celebrating strong girls</em> in books who have the guts to dream.<br />&nbsp;</li><li>Readergirlz is about <em>reaching out to others</em> based on what you've read.<br />&nbsp;</li><li>And most of all, readergirlz is about <em>inspiring girls</em> to make history of their own!&quot;</li></ul><p xmlns:o="urn:www.microsoft.com/office" xmlns:st1="urn:www.microsoft.com/smarttags" xmlns:w="urn:www.microsoft.com/word">The site launched in March, which is National Women's History Month, nicely aligning with the authors' vision of empowering girls to be all they can be. The readergirlz MySpace had 500 members before its official launch; by August 2007 membership had grown to nearly 3,000.</p><p xmlns:o="urn:www.microsoft.com/office" xmlns:st1="urn:www.microsoft.com/smarttags" xmlns:w="urn:www.microsoft.com/word">School and public librarians have been enthusiastic supporters of readergirlz, because they recognize the benefit of girls connecting around a book no matter what their physical location. Using social networking technology&mdash;an integral component of virtually every contemporary young adult's life&mdash;makes these events fun, accessible and meaningful.</p><p xmlns:o="urn:www.microsoft.com/office" xmlns:st1="urn:www.microsoft.com/smarttags" xmlns:w="urn:www.microsoft.com/word">The Readergirlz &quot;divas&quot; (as they are called on the site) are scheduled to present at the Washington Library Media Association conference in October 2007 to share their remarkable story with hundreds of library media specialists from across Washington State.&nbsp; After the audience hears these authors share their own gutsiest moments, one can only imagine how the numbers will grow.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p xmlns:o="urn:www.microsoft.com/office" xmlns:st1="urn:www.microsoft.com/smarttags" xmlns:w="urn:www.microsoft.com/word"><strong>Live chat brings YA authors to audiences across the country and around the globe</strong></p><p xmlns:o="urn:www.microsoft.com/office" xmlns:st1="urn:www.microsoft.com/smarttags" xmlns:w="urn:www.microsoft.com/word">Each month the authors profile a new book to not only read but to celebrate and feature in a Live Chat session with the author. For October they're partnering with YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association) to host 31&mdash;yes, thirty-one&mdash;live author chats. Readergirlz across the world will be able to chat nightly at the&nbsp;<a href="http://groups.myspace.com/readergirlz">ReaderGirlz group forum</a> with a different YA author each evening in October, at 5 PM PST/8 PM EST<br />&nbsp;<br />Find a copy of the poster featuring all October authors at <a href="http://www.readergirlz.com/31_Flavorites_Poster_FINAL.pdf">http://www.readergirlz.com/31_Flavorites_Poster_FINAL.pdf</a></p><p xmlns:o="urn:www.microsoft.com/office" xmlns:st1="urn:www.microsoft.com/smarttags" xmlns:w="urn:www.microsoft.com/word"><strong>The readergirlz divas are:</strong></p><p xmlns:o="urn:www.microsoft.com/office" xmlns:st1="urn:www.microsoft.com/smarttags" xmlns:w="urn:www.microsoft.com/word">Dia Calhoun, winner of the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Children's Literature and the author of five young adult fantasy novels, three of which are ALA Best Books for Young Adults. See <a href="http://www.diacalhoun.com/">www.diacalhoun.com</a> for more about Dia.</p><p xmlns:o="urn:www.microsoft.com/office" xmlns:st1="urn:www.microsoft.com/smarttags" xmlns:w="urn:www.microsoft.com/word">Janet Lee Carey, who writes, teaches, and speaks to audiences in the US and abroad. She's published five books and won numerous awards including a Mark Twain Award and a Booklist starred review.&nbsp; See <a href="http://www.janetleecarey.com/">www.janetleecarey.com</a></p><p xmlns:o="urn:www.microsoft.com/office" xmlns:st1="urn:www.microsoft.com/smarttags" xmlns:w="urn:www.microsoft.com/word">Lorie Ann Grover, who has won accolades from VOYA, Bank Street College and Booklist for her story writing in verse.&nbsp; Visit Lorie at <a href="http://www.lorieanngrover.com/">www.lorieanngrover.com</a></p><p xmlns:o="urn:www.microsoft.com/office" xmlns:st1="urn:www.microsoft.com/smarttags" xmlns:w="urn:www.microsoft.com/word">Justina Chen Headley, the newest of the authors, who sold her first book at auction, has a third title to be published in 2007. Learn more about Justina at <a href="http://www.justinachenheadley.com/">www.justinaChenHeadley.com</a></p><p xmlns:o="urn:www.microsoft.com/office" xmlns:st1="urn:www.microsoft.com/smarttags" xmlns:w="urn:www.microsoft.com/word">Check out the Readergirlz Web site at <a href="http://www.readergirlz.com/">www.readergirlz.com</a> or their MySpace site at <a href="http://www.myspace.com/readergirlz">www.myspace.com/readergirlz</a>. On the website, you can sign up for their monthly newsletter. For more information, contact <a href="mailto:jlcarey@hotmail.com">jlcarey@hotmail.com</a> .</p><hr xmlns:o="urn:www.microsoft.com/office" xmlns:st1="urn:www.microsoft.com/smarttags" xmlns:w="urn:www.microsoft.com/word" /><a rel="license" xmlns:o="urn:www.microsoft.com/office" xmlns:st1="urn:www.microsoft.com/smarttags" xmlns:w="urn:www.microsoft.com/word" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/us/"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" alt="Creative Commons License" src="http://i.creativecommons.org/l/by-sa/3.0/us/88x31.png" /></a><br xmlns:o="urn:www.microsoft.com/office" xmlns:st1="urn:www.microsoft.com/smarttags" xmlns:w="urn:www.microsoft.com/word" />This work is licensed under a <a rel="license" xmlns:o="urn:www.microsoft.com/office" xmlns:st1="urn:www.microsoft.com/smarttags" xmlns:w="urn:www.microsoft.com/word" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/us/">Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 United States License</a>.</td></tr></tbody></table></span></p>

Martha Shinners Joe Bloggs http://www.webjunction.org/internet-for-patrons 2008-07-31T01:56:20Z

<br><p>Tips, tools, guides and other&nbsp;timely resources to help patrons get more out of the Internet.</p>

Joe Bloggs WebJunction Central http://www.webjunction.org/internet-for-patrons/-/articles/content/2516063 2008-06-27T17:44:02Z

A list of external links<br><ul class="external-links"> <li> <a href="http://www.infosciencetoday.com" target="_blank">Information Science Today</a> <p>A comprehensive site about libraries around the world, with particular emphasis on smaller countries and the third world.</p> </li> <li> <a href="http://www.contentbank.org" target="_blank">Contentbank</a> <p>The mission of Contentbank is to spur the development of online content and tools produced for and by low-income and other underserved communities. The site includes best practices, a Web site development toolbox, and links to example sites.</p> </li> <li> <a href="http://mycommunityinfo.ca" target="_blank">MyCommunityInfo</a> <p>Want to help strengthen your local community's identity via the Internet? Take a look at this innovative Ontario, Canada-based site. MyCommunityInfo is a cost-effective community access portal that celebrates the success of local web site development.</p> </li> <li> <a href="http://clnet.sscnet.ucla.edu/" target="_blank">CLNet</a> <p>Sponsored by the Chicano Studies Research Center at the University of California, Los Angeles, this site has a long list of links of interest to all Hispanic communities.</p> </li> <li> <a href="http://www.aarp.org/computers/" target="_blank">AARP Webplace: Computers & Technology</a> <p>The AARP pages on computers have computer FAQs, news, how-to guides, reviews of software products, and hardware and computer books. The pages also have a computer glossary and a feature for new computer users.</p> </li> <li> <a href="http://www.sos.mo.gov/library/development/services/seniors/report/background.asp" target="_blank">Missouri State Library Report on Seniors & Libraries</a> <p>Read the recommendations of the Missouri Task Force on Library Services for Older Adults. The report identifies issues of providing library services to older adults, defines the needs of seniors in libraries, and gives statistics on computer use by seniors.</p> </li> <li> <a href="http://www.cityofseattle.net/tech/seniors/training/" target="_blank">Seniors Training Seniors in Technology</a> <p>Funded by a grant from the Seattle Department of Information Technology (DoIT), Seniors Training Seniors in Technology works to make technology training for seniors easy and fun.</p> </li> <li> <a href="http://seniorliving.about.com/cs/computers_news/" target="_blank">Computers: Seniors & Technology News</a> <p>This resource, produced by About.com, keeps seniors up-to-date with computer news and other information affecting them. The resource includes information ranging from lifestyle news to tips for safe computing.</p> </li> <li> <a href="http://www.seniornet.org/" target="_blank">SeniorNet</a> <p>SeniorNet provides adults, age 50 and older, with access to and education about computer technology and the Internet, enabling them to share their knowledge and wisdom.</p> </li> <li> <a href="http://ipl.sils.umich.edu/div/kidspace/" target="_blank">KidSpace @ The Internet Public Library</a> <p>KidSpace offers a virtual reading room, where you can read a story or have one read to you. This is a great place to get help with homework or science fair project.</p> </li> <li> <a href="http://www.getnetwise.org/" target="_blank">GetNetWise</a> <p>This Web site provides an online safety guide, tools for families and children, and Web sites for kids.</p> </li> <li> <a href="http://books.nap.edu/books/0309082749/html/index.html" target="_blank">Youth, Pornography, and the Internet</a> <p>Youth, Pornography, and the Internet, a book from the National Academies Press. You can read and print the online version for free or order the book.</p> </li> <li> <a href="http://www.cyberteens.com/" target="_blank">Cyberteens</a> <p>Cyberteens sponsors art and writing contests, gives teens access to message boards and a chat room, and links to topics from art to sports.</p> </li> <li> <a href="http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/KidsClick!/" target="_blank">KidsClick: Web Search for Kids by Librarians</a> <p>This fun site, good for kids of all ages, offers links to categories, including the weird and mysterious, health and well-being, popular entertainment, sports and recreation, and machines and technology.</p> </li> <li> <a href="http://www.ajkids.com/" target="_blank">Ask Jeeves for Kids</a> <p>Kids--and adults--can ask Jeeves questions, get advice, use study tools, link to news sites for kids, and find online games, riddles, and jokes.</p> </li> <li> <a href="http://www.ala.org/parentspage/greatsites/amazing.html" target="_blank">ALA's 700 Great Sites for Kids and the Adults Who Care about Them</a> <p>The Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, compiled this comprehensive list of sites. The resources cover topics as diverse as arts and entertainment, literature, and science and technology.</p> </li> <li> <a href="http://scout.wisc.edu/" target="_blank">Internet Scout Project</a> <p>Hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Madison and sponsored by grants from the National Science Foundation, the Internet Scout Project offers a selection of resources of interest to anyone looking for high-quality online material.</p> </li> </ul>

WebJunction Central http://www.webjunction.org/internet-for-patrons/-/articles/content/431568 2008-06-01T01:37:32Z

This convenient collection of sites for seniors includes general interest, government agencies, housing, medicine and health, and travel.<br>

http://www.webjunction.org/internet-for-patrons/-/articles/content/431539 2008-06-01T01:37:32Z

This Web Guide puts the legal world at your fingertips. These sites will demystify the confusing landscape of law.<br>

http://www.webjunction.org/internet-for-patrons/-/articles/content/431503 2008-06-01T01:37:31Z

Help for job-seekers is here! This guide provides resume and interviewing resources, job searching and employment law sites, and more.<br>

http://www.webjunction.org/internet-for-patrons/-/articles/content/431530 2008-06-01T01:37:31Z

If you're looking for answers to medical questions, these sites are sure to help.<br>

http://www.webjunction.org/internet-for-patrons/-/articles/content/431521 2008-06-01T01:37:31Z

Researching your roots? This Web Guide is a great starting point for discovering your familial past.<br>

http://www.webjunction.org/internet-for-patrons/-/articles/content/431512 2008-06-01T01:37:31Z

Concerned about the environment? Educational, governmental resources and nonprofit organizations sites are gathered in this handy Web Guide.<br>

http://www.webjunction.org/internet-for-patrons/-/articles/content/431484 2008-06-01T01:37:30Z

In addition to general interest sites, the African-American Web Guide provides resources for children, young adults, teachers, and librarians for the African-American community.<br>