State expands online resources in schools

9:09 a.m., July 15, 2005--Delaware has made all public schools equal when it comes to having access to electronic encyclopedias, magazines and newspapers for students and teachers to search and read online through a program called UDLib/SEARCH. Training for teachers in using these database resources for the curriculum is also part of the program.

As of July 2005, the state of Delaware increased funding for UDLib/SEARCH to add all public elementary schools in Delaware to the existing program for public middle and high schools.

“I often say that our students learn to read when they're young, and then read to learn for the rest of their lives. The UDLib/SEARCH project will help our students achieve that goal," Gov. Ruth Ann Minner said. "I'm pleased that our state agencies are partnering with the University of Delaware on this worthwhile effort to help our students build on the skills they will need to succeed in college and the workplace.”

Since 1997, the state of Delaware has funded the UDLib/SEARCH program, which provides more than a dozen online databases to all public high schools and middle schools statewide. UDLib/SEARCH is a partnership funded by the state and managed by the University of Delaware Library. Sandra Millard, assistant director for library public services, is the program director of UDLib/SEARCH at UD.

“The UDLib/SEARCH program is an excellent example of one of the many University of Delaware partnerships that help share expertise held at the University for the public good,” UD President David P. Roselle said.

Funding for UDLib/SEARCH to high schools and middle schools has been provided by the Delaware Department of Education since 1997. “UDLib/SEARCH provides equal access to all Delaware public high and middle schools to electronic encyclopedias and thousands of electronic versions of periodicals for student research,” UD Provost Daniel Rich said.

Beginning in the fall, additional funding from the state of Delaware via the Department of Education to the University of Delaware Library makes possible the expansion of the UDLib/SEARCH program databases and training to all public elementary schools in Delaware.

“By the fall of 2005, UDLib/SEARCH elementary level encyclopedia and periodical databases will be accessible to all school libraries, classrooms and computer labs in all Delaware public elementary schools, as well as training for teachers in use of these databases,” Millard said.

The databases for elementary schools include the encyclopedia World Book Online and two elementary-level online magazine and newspaper databases, EBSCO Searchasaurus Primary Search and SIRS Discoverer.

According to Courtney Kaczka, librarian at Townsend Elementary School in Townsend, “Elementary students need time to develop the skills to search the Internet appropriately. UDLib/SEARCH has provided a manageable source of current and varied information for even the youngest of learners. We need to provide information in many formats to encourage, not stifle, the joy of discovering new knowledge.”

The University of Delaware Library manages UDLib/SEARCH, including negotiating subscriptions and license agreements for all UDLib/SEARCH schools. The University of Delaware Library also provides all training and support related to UDLib/SEARCH databases to school librarians, teachers and administrators in all Delaware public schools.

“UDLib/SEARCH is a wonderful example of how different publicly supported agencies--the University of Delaware, the Delaware Department of State, the Delaware Department of Education--are all working together to support Gov. Minner’s goal of ensuring that all children learn to read and have access to resources and technology to that end,” Susan Brynteson, the May Morris Director of Libraries at UD, said.

Most UDLib/SEARCH databases also are available from home and in public libraries to all Delaware residents via DelAWARE®, a program from the Delaware Division of Libraries. The Delaware Division of Libraries and the DelAWARE databases are funded via the Delaware Department of State.

To access the databases at home, students, teachers and parents should use their public library card with a PIN number obtained at their public library and go to the DelAWARE web site at [www.lib.de.us].

For more information about UDLib/SEARCH, call Millard at (302) 831-2231 or visit the UDLib/SEARCH web site at [http://udlibsearch.lib.udel.edu].

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