Library Office

Information Specialist
Library Office Sitemap

Contents This Page

BCPS Selection Policy
Cohort
Ethical Use and Issues
Handy Reference Sources

"How to" Evaluate Resources
Maryland K-12 Digital Library
Review Resources
Searching Strategies

Resources for
Information Specialist Role

Review Resources

How to Evaluate Resources

Evaluating Websites: Trash or Treasure
A web-based lesson created by Ann O'Neill, Baltimore County School Library Media Specialist.

Research and the Internet
This is an excellent PowerPoint presentation prepared by Purdue University Writing Lab that outlines criteria for evaluation of Interent resources and the rationale for evaluation. Also, check out the other presentations on writing, grammar, etc.

Evaluating Internet Research Sources
Robert Harris, 1997. Thus is a comprehensive, scholarly, step-by-step guide to evaluating Internet resources.

Critical Thinking 101 by Fitzgerald
Provides outstanding guidance and handouts to teach the concept of effective evaluation of information resources. Handouts are in pdf format and may be reproduced for class use. These are Evaluative Strategies for K-12 Students; Problem Markers, a excellent guide to "alert" students about information problems; Strategies for Specific Information Use Phase; Information Evaluation Decision Guide (graphic organizer).

Evaluating Web Pages
An excellent source to teach the concepts of "evaluation criteria." Each criteria has a link to an example on the web. Illustrations of "types" of websites are also given.

Thinking Critically about World Wide Web Resources. UCLA College Library, 1995.
Great questions to ask when evaluating web sources.

The World Wide Web Virtual Library : Evaluating Web Resources
Hotlinks to 50+ outstanding web resources on the topic.

Media Selection and Evaluation
Website developed by Della Curtis for the Media Selection and Evaluation graduate course
ISTC 615 taught at Towson University. Links to policies, evaluation criteria, review sources, critical issues, and publishers and jobbers. Syllabus

Handy Reference Sources

ERIC
The collection of educational research documents maintained by the US Department of Education.

BlueWeb'n
searchable database of over 1000 outstanding Internet learning sites categorized by subject area, audience, and type (lessons, activities, projects, resources, references, & tools). Does not attempt to catalog all educational sites, but only the most useful sites -- especially online activities targeted at learners.
Search by subject and grade level or browse the table of contents
.

The Center for the Book
State centers use themes established by the Library of Congress to develop activities that promote local authors, book culture, and literary heritage. Great source to locate Maryland and other state authors.

Federal Resources for Educational Excellence (F.R.E.E)
Hundreds of education resources supported by agencies across the U.S.Federal government are now easier to find. Arranged by content area, e.g., art, educational technology, science, social studies, et al.

The Gateway to Educational Materials (G.E.M)
Provide educators with quick and easy access to thousands of educational resources found on various federal, state, university, non-profit, and commercial Internet sites.

Kathy Schrock's Guide for Educators
An outstanding categorized list of sites useful for enhancing curriculum and professional growth. It is updated often to include the best sites for teaching and learning.

The Internet Public Library
Outstanding source to locate almost anything! Compiled by the School of Information and Library Studies at the University of Michigan

Oral History Studies in BCPS
Compiled by Della Curtis for the Oral History Studies promoted by the Gifted and Talented Office. Website has links to actual oral histories, "how-to" guides, and organizations.

Reference Desk.com
Outstanding source of great sites from A-Z.

i-Tools
Dictionary, thesaurus, translator, people, quotations, maps, currency, and stock market

Web Gateways to Information
Website from Online Resources for School Librarians that links to large collections of Internet resources.


computer lab

As an information specialist, the library media specialist provides expertise in acquiring and evaluating information resources in all formats; in bringing an awareness of information issues to teachers, administrators, students, and others; and modeling for students and others strategies for locating, access, and evaluating information within and beyond the library media center. Working in an environment that has been profoundly affected by technology, the library media specialist both masters sophisticated electronic resources and maintains a constant focus on the nature, quality, and ethical uses of information available in these and in more traditional tools.
(See composite of all 4 roles.)
Information Power, American Library Association, c1998.

 Searching Strategies

Advanced Reference
Website developed by Della Curtis for the Advanced Reference graduate course ISTC 671 taught at Towson University. Links to DIALOG, how-to Internet search guides, search engine collections, fee-based databases, government websites, Maryland and county web resources, and virtual reference services. Syllabus

Finding Information on the Internet A TUTORIAL
NEWLY revised, Fall 2000.
Using search engines, directories, and more to find information on the web; The BEST search strategy in 5 steps; and, web basics.

AASL On-line Continuing Education (AASL)
This site includes online courses, student and family activities, as well as online tours to prepare school librarians for technology leadership roles.

Internet Search Tips and Strategies. Robert Harris,
July 6, 2000. A comprehensive explanation of search strategies, and tips.

Ivy's Search Engine Resources for Kids
Outstanding compilation of hotlinks to search engines for kids and web guides for kids.

Search Engine Showdown: User's Guide to Web Searching
Compares and evaluates Internet search engines from the
searcher's perspective. Includes search engine features chart; detailed search engine reviews; and search strategies.

Searching Strategies and More!
Kathy Schrock's web-based slide shows developed for various workshops and conferences. Feel free to use them for training purposes. Available in PowerPoint and Adobe PDF format.

  • Using Library Pro
    a powerpoint slide show that teaches students how to use Library Pro

  • staring at computr
    I will find it !

    MD K12 Digital Library
    Check out the K-12 Maryland Digital Library Project
    MSDE and a group of Maryland school library administrators are researching ways to develop a
    digital library of fee-based databases for Maryland students. See website for more information.

    MD State Standards
    The MSDE Standards
    for School Library Media Programs
    provide the guiding principles for program development and evaluation in the Baltimore County Public Schools.

    American Association of School Librarians

    Position Statements

    Resource Guides
    These web-based guides comprise a working bibliography of resources gathered by AASL staff to assist library media staff with all aspects of library programming.

    Ethical Uses and Issues

    Telecommunications 2008 Revision
    Policy and rules for student and employee acceptable use, copyright guidelines, and web publishing. Forms are available in pdf format.


    Confidentiality of Library Records
    ALA Position Statement regarding right to privacy of library users.

    Copyright Website 
    Learn about copyright using a great website that includes digital, media, audio, and print resources.

    Digital Resources and the Law:

    Towson Unviersity
    To address the national critical shortage of school library media specialists, the Baltimore County Public Schools formed a partnership with Towson University. The cohort is a 36 hour graduate credit masters degree program that will certify participants to administer school library media centers in Maryland. See the cohort website. Courses taught by Della Curtis.See course websites.
    Advanced Reference
    Media Selection and Evaluation

    Organization and Administration
    Web-Based Instruction

    Photographs on this website are from ArtToday, a web graphic subscription service.  
    Your suggestions for additions are encouraged.
    Please email Della Curtis, Coordinator
    Office of Library Information Services

    Copyright BCPS