Collections Spotlight: Open Access Books

Collections Spotlight: Open Access Books

The Open Access Books Collection is a growing online collection of contemporary open access e-books. By collecting the e-books in addition to the print books, the Library commits to preserving the digital content and providing lasting access to it. Books in several languages are available as are a number of children’s book titles, linked to below….

Primary Source Spotlight: Bats & Vampires

Primary Source Spotlight: Bats & Vampires

Bats Bat image set Bats in historical newspaper articles “Unsuccessful effort to draw bats from the belfry of W.A. White” sketch by Theodore Roosevelt Bat wildlife reports (California, South Dakota, Utah, United States; Alberta, Canada; New Zealand) Library blog posts Bats: Out of Our Nightmares and Into Our Hearts Inside Adams October 29, 2022 Bats:…

Analyzing Primary Sources: Sensory Exploration

Analyzing Primary Sources: Sensory Exploration

The sensory exploration graphic organizer is a great way to introduce students, especially younger ones, to primary source analysis. It also helps with vocabulary development. Encourage students to write words in each column for each sense or allow them to draw pictures. After, you may have students create a poem of their choice using the words they brainstormed;…

Today in History: Yosemite

Today in History: Yosemite

Today in History–June 30–the Library of Congress features Yosemite. On this day in 1865 President Abraham Lincoln signed the Yosemite Valley Grant Act, giving the valley and nearby Mariposa Big Tree Grove to California “upon the express conditions that the premises shall be held for public use, resort, and recreation.” The area became a top tourist destination but towards the…

Guided Primary Source Analysis: A Thanksgiving Truce

Guided Primary Source Analysis: A Thanksgiving Truce

Why do you think the creator titled this cartoon “A Thanksgiving Truce”? Use specific details from the source to support your response. What do you think the bear meant when it said (with deep feeling), “Here’s hoping that when next we meet, we see you first”? What more can you learn by reading the source record?…

Today in History: Rare Children’s Books

Today in History: Rare Children’s Books

Today in History–March 13–the Library of Congress features rare children’s books. Someone wrote “Enoch Brooks’ Book, Princeton, March 13th, 1789″ in permanent ink in a Library of Congress copy of a rare children’s Bible: A Curious Hieroglyphick Bible published by Isaiah Thomas. Learn more about this early American printer and literature publisher by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to…