Martin Luther King, Jr.

This Monday, January 16th is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, which celebrates the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King was one of the most famous and respected civil rights leaders in the 1960s. He fought against racial discrimination using non-violent methods such as sit-ins, marches, and boycotts. Whether you're working on a school assignment or interested in learning more about Dr. King, check out the links and booklist below.

Martin Luther King, Jr. - Life in Pictures by National Geographic Kids

Video of Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech via Teacher Tube

Civil Rights Primary Sources for Students via  Library of Congress

Celebrating MLK Day- Selected New York Times Articles and Front Pages via NYTimes Learning Network

The Martin Luther King National Memorial

For Teachers: Lesson Plans and Activities via Thinkfinity (use the search term "Martin Luther King, Jr.")

And don't forget the amazing online resources available through Darien Library:

Biography Resource Center

History Resource Center

And more!

If you spent your summer NOT doing research and are noticing that your internet research skills could use some work, Google is here to help! 

A Google a Day is a "game" (depending on your definition of fun, of course) where a new question is presented each day and your job is to use your online searching skills to find the answer.  Some of the questions are really tough, some are a little easier, but they all require you to think, and search, creatively. 

Here is the question from Friday, September 2:

"The war that gave us the phrase 'Theirs not to reason why, theirs is but to do and die' also gave the world a nurse credited with starting professional nursing.  What was her name?"

Do YOU know the answer?

This summer it's  FREE READ for both elementary and middle school students in Darien.  Here's what you need to know:

For Darien Elementary students (Hindley, Holmes, Ox Ridge, Royle, Tokeneke) :

The schools do not have any required reading lists; children can choose any "just right" books they like. 

They might have created a list with their classroom teacher or school librarian. 

The children's librarians can assist you in finding those books as well as recommending others.  

For Middlesex students:

Read 3 books of your choice.  Each book should be a different genre.  (For example, science fiction, mystery, realistic fiction, non-fiction.)  Click HERE for detailed information regarding the Middlesex requirements.

For incoming 6th graders: Pick at least one of your 3 books and write a review on the Darien Library website.

For incoming 7th and 8th graders: For each book, complete a book form (available here.)

For Advanced English students: In addition to your 3 free choice books, also read The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, for a total of 4 books.  Complete a book form for all 4 books.

Science - Resources in this Category:

Science Experiments - Are you doing a science fair project?  Or, just find out some cool, gross (and safe) experiments to do at home!

Earth Science - Find out about what happens on our planet and to our planet - volcanoes, earthquakes, weather.

Science Resource Center

Health & Nutrition - Resources in this Category:

 Librarian's Top Choice:

Kids Health http://www.kidshealth.org Parent, kids, and teens have their own categories.  Information about how the body works, diseases, growing up, staying healthy!  Created by The Nemours Foundation's Center for Children's Health Media.

BAM! Body and Mind http://www.bam.gov Kid friendly content on everything from brushing your teeth, healthy snacks, diabetes to heredity.  Created by the Centers for Disease Control.

My Pyramid http://www.mypyramid.gov The new food pyramid and dietary guidelines!  Also included are related links such as: farmer's markets, nutrition labels and food safety.  Created by the USDA.

Do you have a topic assigned to a whole class (or grade) that involves research? 

Email us the topic and types of resources your students need.  This will help us help your students. The children's librarians can also tag books in the Library's catalog, and email you the list's link so you and your students can add more titles to it.

Use the "Assignment Alert Form" on the top right of the Teachers' page to get started.

 picture by flickr user Muffet

Need books, audiobooks, or other materials for a school project while we're closed?  No fear!

Nearby libraries will welcome you while the Darien Library is closed.  You can check out books, movies, and other materials at any public library in our state; go Connecticut!  Bring your Darien Library card with you, or your parents can use their card.

Online information is always available on the homework help section of our website.  You can find newspaper, magazine and encyclopedia articles at any time; except for a few days when we move the computers and servers to the NEW Darien Library.

The Darien Library is closed from Thanksgiving 2008 to January 9, 2009.  We open on Saturday, January 10, 2009.  We can't wait to see you there!  The same librarians, same favorite books and movies (and new ones!) all await you in an awesome new building!

Take a look at pictures of the new library here.

Hey Kids!  Did you know that TODAY people all over the country will be voting to elect the new President?

Are you concerned about our environment?  Do you have opinions on how to make our world a better, more peaceful place?  Have you wondered about how all this talk about the "economic crisis" will affect you and your family?

Just because you aren't 18 (that's the age when you first get to vote) doesn't mean you can't be involved in this historic election!

Check out these websites for an election countdown, information about the candidates, a mock election for kids, polls, and more:

Weekly Reader Election Center

Scholastic Countdown to Election 2008

Brain Pop: Presidential Election

PBS Kids Democracy Project

You can also find books at the Darien Library about elections, U.S. government, and past presidents.  Some of our favorites are:

We have some great new biographies about Senator Barack Obama, Senator John McCain, and Senator Hillary Clinton.

 Doing a report? Check out our online resources (stuff you can't get through Google).

Science Experiments - Resources in this Category:

Science Fair Central http://school.discoveryeducation.com/sciencefaircentral Starting from scratch?  Then use their Soup to Nuts Handbook!  Can't think of a cool experiement?  Try their Ideas section.  A guide for parents section is also available. Created by Discovery Channel's website Discovery Education.