SIRS Discoverer and Issues Researcher

Discoverer - I looked up the Pine Beetle since that is such a menace in the Black Hills.  I read about the destruction it is also causing in Colorado and Canada.  Pictures of the various beetles, diagrams of how they work on the tree in regard to laying eggs and moving under the bark were quite interesting.  It was at a moderate reading level. 
I then looked up the country of Viet Nam.  It offered three levels of a graphic organizer to take down the facts about the country.  A fairly detailed map of the country and the area was available.  The two "database features" I went into were Science Fair and Biographies.  I researched Ecology and Environment - Recycling.  George Bush and Abraham Lincoln were the biographies I did some reading about. 
What a great tool for teachers with all the various ideas, games, projects and information about the various areas. 
Researcher - I picked Illegal Immigration - there was 28 pages of articles available on the subject. 
The pro/con debate forum on the question was interesting.  Off to the side it had various information with matching subjects, newspapers, magazines, viewpoints, and reference. 
Graphics/Media gave charts, editorial cartoons, and graphs in relation to immigration etc.
The favorite subject I chose was Fine Arts which went to Music which went on to types of music. Then I looked at musical instruments and the evolution of the instruments. 
Another great site for information and research including students, teachers, librarians and the general public.          

Learning Express Library

I liked the practice tests available to students especially in the math, reading and writing skills areas which are so important for students today.  A wide variety of tests for college bound students plus test taking skills and college prep are needed for many students who are unaware of those types of things.  College students are covered with many skills tests and then followed by the Job Search and Workplace Skills area.  With so many people out of work today, the Jobs and Careers area is great for those looking for extra help with their job search.  I went into the EBook of Personal Finance and read for quite awhile since it was very interesting.  I used to teach a personal finance class and they had a lot of great information in this area.  It started out with budgets as a young person and went all the way through to retirement. 

World Book Online Public Library Edition

1. I looked at the Llama since we have a farm close to our town that raises Llamas.  The info is very good for this age of student K-5.  Not too complicated for this age of student but good information.  Pictures are nice but the video is a real addition to the World Book for a source of information.  Being able to email the articles etc. to someone else is a nice feature. 
2.  Having done research in the past, the information in regard to citing this article would be very helpful to this age of students.  Little more indepth information. 
3.  I chose Jamaica and the Grand Cayman Islands since we are going on a cruise there this winter.  The links on the left with all the information would be helpful for patrons going on a trip of just wanting to know more about a country.  I enjoyed the story on the right from the 1800's.  Many uses for this type of information on a country.