Monday, December 20, 2010

stopchildlabor

stopchildlabor

Formed in 1989, the Child Labor Coalition is a provider of informational and educational outreach about child labor in the public and private sectors. On their website, visitors will find sections on "Child Labor in the U.S." and "Child Labor Around the World", as well as a "Photo Gallery and Media Library". The Child Labor in the U.S. section provides history, causes, and results of child labor in the U.S. Visitors will also find a link to the report "Fields of Peril - Child Labor in U.S. Agriculture", which addresses the lack of rights of child farmworkers on commercial farms. Visitors with teenagers will be interested in the "Parents' Primer: When Your Teen Works" report that emphasizes the hours of employment governed by child labor laws, and provides information on how these laws "restrict teens from working in hazardous occupations or operating dangerous machinery." The photo gallery contains several albums, including heartrending stills from the documentary "Stolen Childhoods". Visitors will see a child working at a brick kiln in India, and a Kenyan coffee plantation where children work without protective gear from pesticides or the sharp spines of the coffee plant. {From the website]

Friday, December 10, 2010

Pitts Theology Library: Digital Image Archive

Pitts Theology Library: Digital Image Archive

The Digital Image Archive presents more than 31,651 images of biblical illustrations, portraits of religious leaders, printers' devices, engravings of church buildings, and other theological topics. [from the website]

Based at Emory University, the Pitts Theology Library has a number of digital archives that are worthy of mention. This particular one brings together over 28,000 images of biblical illustrations. The archive also includes engravings of church buildings and religious leaders. Visitors can search the archive by call number or Bible verse, which is a rather helpful way to look for items of interest. Visitors are also encouraged to use these images for use in church publications, research papers, and other educational settings. Also, visitors can use the "Revised Common Lectionary" area to identify commonly used items, like Gospel lessons and Hebrew Bible lessons. The site is rounded out by a "FAQ" area and a link to the Library's main Special Collection site. >From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2010. http://scout.wisc.edu/
Enhanced by Zemanta

Center on Quality Policing | RAND

Center on Quality Policing | RAND

The RAND Center on Quality Policing (CQP) provides research and analysis on contemporary police practice and policy. By determining what practices are most cost-effective and results-oriented, the Center's work helps law enforcement agencies across the United States make better operational decisions and consistently perform at their best. [from website]

The RAND Center on Quality Policing (CQP) "provides research and analysis on contemporary police practice and policy." Their work includes research on the prevention of racial profiling, improving police-community relations, and reducing community violence. On their homepage, visitors can scroll on down to their "Featured Project" area which profiles one of their recent works, such as the police recruitment and retention clearinghouse. On the right-hand side of the homepage, visitors can read current and past issues of the CQP Newsletter dating back to 2006. The "Recent Publications and Activities" area features timely policy documents, including "Enforcing Immigration Law at the State and Local Levels: A Public Policy Dilemma" and "What Cost-of-Crime Research Can Tell Us About Investing in Police". Also, visitors are encouraged to follow the CQP's activities on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. The site is rounded out by information about staff members and contact details. >From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2010. http://scout.wisc.edu/
Enhanced by Zemanta

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

George Washington Carver Digital Collection

George Washington Carver Digital Collection

George Washington Carver was a man who wore many hats, including those of a teacher, student, researcher, and scholar. During his lifetime, his research yielded 325 products from peanuts and over 100 products from sweet potatoes. Carver's work contributed to rural economic development in countless ways, and he remains an intriguing and compelling figure decades after his passing. This digital collection from the Special Collections Department at the Iowa State University Library brings together images of Dr. Carver, along with letters and other correspondence between Carver and his colleagues at the university. The collection contains over 200 items, and visitors can browse through the items as they see fit, or perform a more detailed item search. Items here include transcripts of conversations with researchers at the Tuskegee Institute, formal faculty photographs, and handwritten letters. >From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2010. http://scout.wisc.edu/

Alliance for Aging Research

Alliance for Aging Research

The private, not-for-profit Alliance for Aging Research is a national citizen advocacy organization working to improve the lives of Americans as they grow older by advancing biomedical and behavioral research in aging and health. The Alliance was founded in 1986 to promote and accelerate medical and scientific research into aging. As America’s Baby Boom is transformed to an unprecedented Senior Boom, the Alliance is a valued and respected voice in the nation’s capital: developing, implementing and advocating programs in research, health education and public policy.

Founded in 1986, to "promote medical and behavioral research into the aging process", the Washington D.C.-based Alliance for Aging Research has a website that covers many different "Topics". Visitors can explore general topics, such as "Caregiving", "Longevity", "Medical Innovation", and "Policy", as well as "Focus Areas". The focus areas include "Access to Breakthroughs", "Drug Development", "Persistent Pain" and "Vision Loss". On the homepage visitors can take "Surveys & Quizzes", like "Understanding Persistent Pain" and "Valve Disease Quiz - How Much Do You Know?" Related to the valve disease quiz is the recent podcast of a valve surgery patient, who discusses the symptoms she felt that resulted in her recent visit to the doctor, how she was diagnosed, her growing knowledge of the surgical procedure, and how she felt after surgery. Visitors can find that podcast and others, at the "Media" link near the bottom of the homepage. Also in the "Media" link, visitors can find videos, such as "Will Science Cure Aging?", and a rich archive of videos and podcasts. >From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2010. http://scout.wisc.edu/

Monday, December 6, 2010

ipl2 Literary Criticism

ipl2 Literary Criticism

Discriminating between the proverbial "wheat" and "chaff" on the Internet presents a number of challenges, and when it comes to discussion about online literary criticism, it's even more difficult. This helpful guide to the best of such resources is made possible via ipl2, which itself is the merger of the Internet Public Library (IPL) and the Librarians' Internet Index (LII). These annotated suggestions are divided into sections that include "Best Starting Places" and "Starting Places for Particular Time Periods". Each resource is profiled in a short paragraph, and the link is also offered for convenience. While some parties might find the suggestions a bit rudimentary, these sites can be quite helpful for persons just coming to this arena. >From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2010. http://scout.wisc.edu/

Robert Louis Stevenson Website - RLS Website

Robert Louis Stevenson Website - RLS Website

From his tales of Jim Hawkins and Long John Silver to his verses for children, Robert Louis Stevenson remains a tremendous literary force well over a century after his death in 1894. This fascinating site provides resources for academics, young people, and people with a general interest in Stevenson's life and literary musings. Along the top of the homepage, visitors will find ten sections, including "Gallery", "Life", "Works", and "In the Footsteps of RLS". The "In the Footsteps of RLS" brings together Google Maps and information about Stevenson's many travels to give visitors an interactive way to track his journeys through France, Scotland, and the South Seas. Moving on, the "Gallery" area contains photos from every part of Stevenson's life, ranging from a photo of him at age 4 (wearing a cape) to his time as a married man living in the South Sea Islands. As for the "Works" section, visitors would do well to check out his 1878 travelogue, "Edinburgh: Picturesque Notes". >From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2010. http://scout.wisc.edu/

Saturday, December 4, 2010

MethResources.gov

MethResources.gov

The use of meth and related substances is of increasing concern to various government agencies across the United States, and this website is a timely one. Created by a set of different government agencies (including the Department of Justice), the website contains an interactive map of meth resources across the country, a set of public service announcements, and information about their recent anti-meth campaign on Native American reservations. The primary sections of the site include "Overview", "Prevention", "Enforcement", and "Community Resources". The "Prevention" area contains resources for policy makers and health care professionals, along with a link to a discussion board. The "Policy & Legislation" area features a MethResources database that allows users to learn about federal legislative actions regarding meth. Finally, the "Community Resources" area features lists of upcoming conferences, grants for meth awareness projects, and a listing of additional related websites. >From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2010. http://scout.wisc.edu/

Thursday, December 2, 2010

African-American Women

African-American Women

The Duke University Libraries has had a long-standing reputation for their digitization projects, and this collection is certainly one of their best. This particular segment of their work focuses on the lives of African-American women, and it contains the full-text memories of Elizabeth Johnson Harris, slave letters from Hannah Valentine, and a rather unusual stand-alone letter from Vilet Lester. Hannah Valentine was born in 1867 to former slaves, and visitors can read her 85-page handwritten memoir here. In her memoir, she talks about the importance of religion in her life, and there are also a few poems by her as well. The letters from Hannah Valentine, a house slave, reveal a rare firsthand glimpse into the lives of slaves in Virginia. Finally, the very unique letter from Vilet Lester offers just a slight, but revealing glimpse, into her life in Bullock County, Georgia in 1857. >From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2010. http://scout.wisc.edu/

About the Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library

Developing an understanding of human experience and culture requires access to historical documentation in many forms and subject areas. The Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library at Duke University preserves such documentation and promotes its use. While the library's holdings are developed in relation to instructional and research interests in the University, they are available for use by visiting scholars and the general public as well as Duke faculty and students. The library's collections range from ancient papyri to the records of modern advertising. They number more than 200,000 printed volumes and more than 11,500,000 items in manuscript and archival collections. They support research in a wide variety of disciplines and programs, including African-American studies, anthropology, classics, economics, history, literature, political science, religion, sociology, and women's studies.

MIT Visualizing Cultures

MIT Visualizing Cultures

Visualizing Cultures was launched at MIT in 2002 to explore the potential of the Web for developing innovative image-driven scholarship and learning. The VC mission is to use new technology and hitherto inaccessible visual materials to reconstruct the past as people of the time visualized the world (or imagined it to be).

Topical units to date focus on Japan in the modern world and early-modern China. The thrust of these explorations extends beyond Asia per se, however, to address "culture" in much broader ways—cultures of modernization, war and peace, consumerism, images of "Self" and "Others," and so on.

Images of every sort are introduced and examined here—in partnership with contributing institutions and collections, and with the collaboration of experts devoted to transcending the printed word and hard-bound text.

IDMC : Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre

IDMC : Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre

The Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC), established in 1998 by the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), is the leading international body monitoring conflict-induced internal displacement worldwide.

Through its work, the Centre contributes to improving national and international capacities to protect and assist the millions of people around the globe who have been displaced within their own country as a result of conflicts or human rights violations.

At the request of the United Nations, the Geneva-based IDMC runs an online database providing comprehensive information and analysis on internal displacement in some 50 countries. Based on its monitoring and data collection activities, the Centre advocates for durable solutions to the plight of the internally displaced in line with international standards. The IDMC also carries out training activities to enhance the capacity of local actors to respond to the needs of internally displaced people (IDPs). In its work, the Centre cooperates with and provides support to local and national civil society initiatives.

The Victorian Web: An Overview

The Victorian Web: An Overview

Based at Nagoya University in Japan, The Victorian Web presents a wide range of materials on the times and mores of this historical era. The materials are arranged into over one dozen sections, including "Technology", "Religion", and "Authors". Clicking on each of these areas will reveal a set of additional links that contain thematic essays and visual materials that address each theme. Visitors should also note that there is a "What's New?" area that contains the latest updates to the site. The "Bibliography" area is a good resource for young scholars, and it contains listings on "Readings in Victorian Religion", "Victorian Architecture", and "Science and Society in Victorian Britain" >From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2010. http://scout.wisc.edu/

Interactive: State of Metropolitan America Indicator Map - Brookings Institution - State of Metropolitan America - Brookings Institution

Interactive: State of Metropolitan America Indicator Map - Brookings Institution - State of Metropolitan America - Brookings Institution

The State of Metropolitan America is a signature effort of the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program that portrays the demographic and social trends shaping the nation’s essential economic and societal units—its large metropolitan areas—and discusses what they imply for public policies to secure prosperity for these places and their populations.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

UCLA Preserved Silent Animation

UCLA Preserved Silent Animation

UCLA's film and television archive of animated silent films from the pre-1930s is relatively small, but considering the rarity of any silent films, it is still an impressive collection. Some of the films offered up on this website include "Felix the Cat", the "Inkwell Imps", and "Aesop's Film Fables". Visitors are lucky enough to be able to view online or download 11 animated films from the library's collection. While watching the films, visitors can listen to the preservation commentary, or listened to the music for each film composed by Michael D. Mortilla, who has played music for silent films for the Silent Society. Visitors can learn more about Michael D. Mortilla by reading the "About the Music" link. There are also film notes and an historical overview that visitors can read for each film. Researchers or interested parties will find a 15-page study guide of films and works about silent films available as a PDF. This helpful document is conveniently located at the bottom of the homepage. >From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2010. http://scout.wisc.edu/

Digital Image Collections — Indiana Historical Society

Digital Image Collections — Indiana Historical Society

Bringing together images of African Americans in Indiana, Abraham Lincoln, and many other subjects is an inspired idea, and it's part of the mission of the Indiana Historical Society. Over the past several years, they have been digitizing materials furiously, and currently there are over 38,000 images available on this website. The images are divided into eight topical areas, including "Military History", "Notable Hoosiers", and "African-American Indiana History". The "African-American Indiana History" area is quite fine, and there are images that document the history of the Indianapolis Recorder and Madam C.J. Walker, a self-made businesswoman in the early 20th century. The "Selected Images of Indiana" is also quite laudable, and it also features a subcollection that documents the Hoosier State across the four seasons. Also, visitors are encouraged to use the search engine to look for specific items. >From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2010. http://scout.wisc.edu/

Penn State Gerontology Center — The Gerontology Center

Penn State Gerontology Center — The Gerontology Center

The Penn State Gerontology Center promotes interdisciplinary research that explores the diversity and complexity of the process of human aging.