In the clamour to write about the changes in schools as they connect to the National Grid for Learning it seems we overlook the role of school librarians, as a visitor to The TES stand at the Education Show reminded us. So it’s good to have a site to point readers at - Strongest Links. This has resources and links for school librarians for most areas of their work.

At a time when libraries face unprecedented changes and students need to be discouraged from jettisoning books in favour of the internet, this service is more than welcome.

www.strongest-links.org.uk

Good question

Don’t forget public librarians either. If your school has limited resources it’s worth remembering that public libraries have expert reference staff.

Through Ask a Librarian you can now enquire 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If they can’t answer your query they will point you in the right direction.

www.ask-a-librarian.org.uk

Train online

Secondary science teachers can tap in to online ICT in-service training from the Association for Science Education and Becta. In-service materials and resources have gone online and live discussions will take place next week (March 29-31) on questions such as data-logging, effective use of internet resources and the creative use of ICT.

www.ictadvice.org.ukscienceinset

D-Day veterans’ tales

British soldiers in the Second World War appreciated a “brew up”, but the term also had a dark meaning in a different context to tea: it also meant the piercing of a tank’s armour and the incineration of its crew. You can find explanations of both contexts in the eyewitness account by drivergunner Thomas Henry Goddard of the Normandy landings. It’s on the D-Day, Normandy and beyond website approved for the National Grid for Learning. It features stories from 119 veterans and more are being collected.

www.normandy1944.info

Welsh empire builders

What has the small south Wales town of Blaenavon in common with the Pyramids and the Taj Mahal? It has been recognised as a site of historical interest that played a role in the Industrial Revolution and the creation of one of the world’s biggest empires. It is celebrated in Children of the Revolution, a labour-of-love website from Newport City Council with support from the National Museums and Galleries and Wales. Visitors can sign up to take part in their own “royal commission” to investigate life in Blaenavon in the mid-19th century. There are substantial video resources (30 minutes, best with broadband), teachers’ notes, virtual tours and links to other sources.

www.newportsouthwales.netrevolution