Research and Education
http://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/
Opened in 1980, the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum is a bit different than most Presidential Libraries as the Library is located on the campus of The University of Michigan, while the museum is in Grand Rapids, MI. Of course, visitors to the website will not notice this geographical separation, as they can meander through materials from both locations here. First-time visitors will want to look through the biographical information on the President and his wife, Betty, and then perhaps scan through a selection of the historical photographs that document their childhood and adult lives. Researchers and academics will appreciate the wide range of historical documents contained within the site, which include a range of documents related to the war in Vietnam and campaign documents from Ford’s 1976 presidential bid. From there, visitors will want to click on over to the Ford Museum area, which contains a number of archived online exhibits, including a multimedia exploration of the Watergate crisis, complete with film clips of news coverage. [KMG]
http://www.nativenetworks.si.edu/frameset_flash.html
Over the past few years, Native Americans have made significant contributions in a host of different media, including television, radio, and film. Involved in all aspects of this type of artistic and cultural expression, many Native Americans have also looked for a way to disseminate their substantial efforts in this arena. Fortunately, there is the Native Networks website (first launched in 2001), designed to provide information about such creations. The website was created by the Film and Video Center of the National Museum of the American Indian, and contains information about upcoming Native American film festivals and “close-up” profiles of people actively working in the field. Some of these features include material on the indigenous video makers in Mexico and an in-depth look at the film “House Made of Dawn”, which deals with a young Pueblo man in crisis. The site is available in both Spanish and English versions. [KMG]
Online since January 1999, Stateline.org continues to serve as a fine resource for those with a penchant for state government and various developments that bear directly on all 50 states. Funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts, the site has grown significantly since it was last profiled by the Scout Report, and now includes a host of new and improved features. From their well-designed homepage, visitors can view a list of top stories and read original content as well as news reports created by Stateline.org staff writers. Those persons looking for coverage on specific topics will want to look through their list of issues, which include education, elections, homeland security, and transportation. The staff members have also created an online archive of governors’ addresses from their respective states dating back to 2000. The site is rounded out by the inclusion of their fine annual report “State of the States”. [KMG]
http://www.wipo.int/portal/index.html.en
As with many forms of international governance, it is difficult to understand the complex lattice-like structure that protects intellectual property across the globe. Headquartered in Geneva, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is responsible for administering 23 international treaties that deal with various aspects of intellectual property protection. For those who may be less familiar with the nuances of this complex field, the “About” area is a good place to start. Here users can learn about the nature of trademarks, industrial designs, and emerging issues in intellectual property. After consulting this part of the site, users may wish to continue on to the “News & Information Resources” area, which contains access to the WIPO Magazine, the Intellectual Property Digital Library, and information about upcoming events and conferences. Finally, the site also contains specific information about the various treaties that protect the rights of intellectual property across international borders. [KMG]
http://www.loc.gov/today/cyberlc/index.php
Perhaps you, gentle user, are looking for an insightful and contemplative 45-minute talk on Beethoven? Maybe you would like to learn more about the nature of Cold War realpolitik? Fortunately, the Library of Congress’s Webcasts website has these topics well covered, along with 301 like-minded talks. Over the past six years, the Library of Congress has documented several hundred of the talks, discussions, and conferences that have taken place under its leadership. On this site, visitors have access to all of these talks in their entirety, along with webcasts from the National Book Festival. Visitors can scan through a complete list of all 303 webcasts, or browse a thematic list that organizes the talks into areas such as religion, government, and education. Some of the webcasts are particularly engaging, such as John Hope Franklin’s talk on his own life as well as John Irving’s appearance at the 2005 National Book Festival. [KMG]
Founded in 1981, the National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression (NARSAD) is a not-for-profit public charity that is primarily concerned with raising funds for the purpose of researching severe psychiatric disorders. Since its inception, they have awarded over $180 million in grants to a variety of research institutions. On their well-designed site, visitors can review information about the research supported by their generosity and fundraising. For most visitors the most valuable section of the site will be the “Disorders & Conditions” area. Here they can view a number of fact sheets that provide a basic background on a host of conditions, including bipolar disorder, autism, and suicide. The Research Center area is quite helpful as well, as it contains information about applying for grants from NARSAD and also provides profiles of researchers in the field. The site is rounded out by an archive of their in-house quarterly newsletter dating back to 2000. [KMG]
