TEL Undergoes Updated Look!

The new TEL Web page is located at http://infotrac.galegroup.com/itweb/tel_p_egfpl. Or you may also connect to TEL from the E.G. Fisher Public Library web site: http://www.fisherlibrary.org/ [please remember that remote users must type in the password.] This page is under development, but it now serves as an entry portal to the three vendors who provide resources to the Tennessee Electronic Library. Soon you will see other resources such as tutorials, training and marketing materials, as well as links to news articles about TEL. See also http://www.tntel.info for info on new and expanded TEL resources, including state newspapers and more. Please note that at this point in time only the Gale resources [use the TEL password!] listed on this site are available from home. Remote passwords and usernames for the other two resources will be announced soon! Stay tuned!

Points Of View Reference Center now Available!

We have more great news for TEL libraries! EBSCO's Points of View Reference Center is now available to all citizens of Tennessee.

To get to EBSCO's Points of View Reference Center, go to http://search.ebscohost.com . You should be able to go into the entry page directly. For both the username and password, type in the TEL password in each field. Soon this link will be uploaded to a TEL Web portal page, which is now under development.

Points of View Reference Center is a full-text database designed toprovide students with a series of essays that present multiple sides of a current issue. The database provides 200 topics, each with an overview (objective background/description), point (argument) and counterpoint(opposing argument).

Topics covered include: affirmative action, cloning, DNA profiling, HIV/AIDS status disclosure, immigration, Iraq, Israel & the Palestinians, Katrina and FEMA response, nuclear proliferation, separation of church and state, standardized testing, stem cell research, tax cuts, voting machines, and many more. Points of View Reference Center contains a balance of materials from all viewpoints, including 800 main essays, leading political magazines from both sides of the aisle, newspapers, radio & TV news transcripts, primary source documents and reference books.

The database also offers guides to debate, developing arguments and writing position papers. Additionally, this database contains the Video Encyclopedia of the 20th Century, providing students with a searchable collection of some of the most important social, political, and cultural moments of the 20th century. Points of View Reference Center provides the basis from which students can realize and develop persuasive arguments and essays, better understand controversial issues and develop analytical thinking skills. Critical Thinking Guides for every topic covered helps the student judge Fact vs. Opinion and enhances the student's ability to read and think critically.

State Newspapers to be added to TEL!

From our State Librarian and Archivist, Jeanne Sugg, : We have exciting news! Beginning Monday, December 3rd, the Tennessee Newspaper Collection from Newsbank, inc. will be available to Tennesseans through TEL. (Tennessee Electronic Library) Included in this offering are the Memphis Commercial Appeal, Nashville Tennessean, Knoxville News-Sentinel, and Chattanooga Times. Newsbank, Inc. is uniquely qualified to deliver these products to the Tennessee Electronic Library as the exclusive education market vendor for schools, academic institutions, and public libraries for these four newspapers. We welcome Newsbank, Inc. to our TEL family. To search TEL use this link: http://infotrac.galegroup.com/itweb/tel_p_egfpl (remote users will need to type in the password)

And there is much more to come in the TEL lineup. Stay posted for the latest additions!