There's a Library in Your Computer! That’s right. As an Ohio citizen you are the owner of a great personal library that resides in your computer. INFOhio is the Information Network for Ohio Schools and is funded by your tax dollars. Through special licensing agreements with data subscription services, all Ohio students have access to quality online resources at just a fraction of what a district would pay for them without the state contracts. So, just what all do you own? YOU are very information-rich. Over the next few weeks, we will highlight some of the online resources available through INFOhio, just to call them to your attention. When it is cold outside, you can stay warm inside and still get that school assignment or project completed! Visit www.infohio.org Among the resources available through INFOhio are three Britannica encyclopedias, with three different reading levels to help any student have success when searching for information. These Britannica encyclopedias contain links to web sites that have been evaluated as safe for student use and that contain quality information. They also include many activities and fun games to reinforce learning concepts in math, language arts, science and social studies. You’ll find maps to print out, timelines, photos, biographies, video-clips and so much more. The beauty of an online encyclopedia is that it can accommodate so many different learning styles and it is updated quarterly. Another handy resource that you have at your fingertips is the Oxford Reference Online Premium Collection. This is just like having an entire bookcase of reference books in your den! The collection has more than 130 complete reference titles, fully indexed and cross-searchable, from a wide range of disciplines. None of these resources are extensive. Think of each as a single volume dictionary-style reference book on a topic. What are some of those topics? History, Science, Performing Arts, Military History, Mythology & Folklore, Religion & Philosophy, Literature, Biology, Law, Medicine, Economics, Business, Architecture and the list goes on. Again, you will find quality web sites linked through these books, as well as timelines, photos and maps. Ever wish you had access to more newspapers than just those in the Warren area? You do! Check out NewsBank and you’ll see that you have access to almost every major newspaper in Ohio and many local papers, also. But the good news doesn’t end there! You also have access to many national newspapers including The Chicago Tribune, The Detroit News, The Indianapolis Star and The Washington Post. Again, this resource has been infused with quality web sites to enhance student research. So just how do you get to your library in your computer? You can always get to the district online resources and the resources offered through INFOhio through our school website: warrengharding.com and library. Students are given book marks with the address and passwords on it. Or you can go directly to www.infohio.org and click on the CORE RESOURCES button to access those mentioned above and many more that will be highlighted in the weeks to come. If you want to teach yourself how to effectively use these resources, look for help menus or tutorials within the products. We are not allowed to give passwords out over the web, so please request passwords from your building librarian. For an overview of INFOhio, check out the video at www.infohio.org/Parent/OutreachKit/Video2005.html It’s short but gives you the big picture. You’ll find other valuable information for parents by clicking on the Parents link at the top. Please feel free to use me, Charlotte DiTommaso, as a resource to learn about any of our district or state online resources, also. You can contact me at 330 841-2316 x 233 and if you are by your computer with a question about the resources, I might be able to walk you through the answer. Or you can e-mail me. charlotte.ditommaso@neomin.org INFOHIO is the Information Network for Ohio Schools. Go to www.INFOhio.org to find research resources such as EBSCOHOST, health information such as Netwellness, homework help such as KnowItNow, parent information such as ADAM health encyclopedia, and tests practice at the LearningExpress Library. See Mrs. DiTommaso in the library for passwords at home.