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 Welcome to onLINE: The Librarians' Information Network for the Essential Curriculum - the web portal designed and managed by the Office of Library Information Services and a team of expert school library media specialists. The contents of this site represents the best Internet sources and locally designed curriculum materials and information to support the teaching and learning of the K-12 Essential Curriculum. It also is the school library media specialist's prime source of professional information that supports their roles as teacher, instructional partner, information specialist, and program administrator.

Kay Jones
 onLINE had its beginnings in 1996 when a group of visionary library media specialists made a commitment to use online information technology as the primary means to create and distribute locally produced materials, and connect the educational community to the rich resources of the Internet. Kay Jones, Library Media Specialist, Overlea High School originally served as the webmaster for this site. Barbara Falkinburg, Library Media Specialist, Hereford High School serves currently under the direction of
Della Curtis, Coordinator, Office of Library Information Services.


Joyce Caldwell and Phyllis Fullem

Since 1996, the website has been maintained by a group of dedicated library media specialists who have volunteered hundreds of hours to updating the website and keeping it a dynamic information resource. These library media specialists are Barbara Falkinburg, Ann O'Neill, Phyllis Fullem, and Joyce Caldwell.


Jamie Harring and Pat Simon
 In June 2001, the Office of Library Information Services received funding to hire 15 library media specialists and teachers to completely overhaul the website as it appears today. Teams of subject area experts and library media specialists "mined" the Internet to locate outstanding websites to support the teaching and learning of the K-12 Essential Curriculum. Selection of sites is based on the Baltimore County Public Schools Selection Policy for Library Media Materials.

Many thanks to those who worked tirelessly to produce an essential technology tool that is truly an excellent example "using resources effectively and efficiently," one of Baltimore County Public Schools goals. The following professionals contributed valuable subject and technical expertise on the June 2001 project: Joyce Caldwell, Cheryl Cohen, Katie Egan, Barbara Falkinburg, Pat Fiero, Cynthia Gardina, Mary Grauel, Kay Jones, Pam Lichty, Peg Morton, Ann O'Neill, Kim Ports, Kelly Ray, Penny Setser, Pat Simon and Office of Library Information Services staff Art Stritch and Della Curtis.

 

The website is organized to enhance easy access to essential information. A convenient navigation bar (shown on left) helps users drill down into major information resources on the website. Curriculum entry points are arranged by elementary, middle, and high school levels and then by subject/special programs and units of instruction. Other special features of the website:

  • Online Research Models ... information problem solving models that are integrated with K-12 Essential Curriculum. The models are designed to teach students the process of conducting research by applying strategic reading, critical thinking, problem solving, and technology skills.
  • Library Office ... support for school library media specialsts in their roles as teacher, instructional partner, information specialist, and program administrator. It is the new Library Media Procedures Manual for Baltimore County Public School library media specialists.
  • The Reading Page ... a mega site of information about reading strategies, motivation, and research. A special feature of this site is the Maryland Learning Outcomes for Reading, Grades 1-8. Outcomes are arranged by the three reading stances and then by grade level.
  • Professional Research Library... a portal for the educational community to access research information, websites designed for educators, and sources to support pedagogy.
  • Student Resources ... contains SAT preparation sites, career education, and information about colleges and universities.
  • Parent Resources ... contains links to parent organization and websites designed especially for parents.
  • Reference Desk ... contains links to outstanding online reference resources arranged by type of reference source, e.g., encyclopedias, geographic, almanacs, etc.
  • Search the Web ... contains links to popular search engines, how to search guides, and collections of subject search engines.
  It is our hope that you will spend many productive hours using this site. We encourage your suggestions for enhancements or recommendations of website useful for the educational community.  Help us with our goal - to provide a resource that will assist teachers to integrate the use of technology with curriculum as well as provide essential information for professional growth and knowledge acquisition. Email suggestions to Della Curtis, Coordinator, Office of Library Information Services.
 Copyright 2001 BCPS Privacy and Intellectual Property Statement
Baltimore County Public Schools respects and protects the privacy and intellectual property rights of all as set forth in the Baltimore County Public Schools Telecommunications Policies and Rules. In order to protect the privacy and safety of our students, photographs of students used on this website are from Arttoday, a subscription graphics service. Permission has been granted to use photographs of BCPS staff used on this website. The Office of Library Information Services obtains permission from students and staff whose intellectual property appears on this website. The majority of this website is "works for hire"; however, a copyright notice is given showing ownership of all intellectual property for which we have received permission to use.