JSTOR

Bibliographic Information: JSTOR. http://www.jstor.org/. ITHAKA.

Plot Summary: JSTOR, a subscription based not-for-profit service, is designed to provide trusted scholarly content (i.e research articles, primary sources, and books) to students, researchers, and librarians (JSTOR: About, 2012). JSTOR can be accessed for free through your local library by simply using your library card.

Critical Evaluation: N/A

Reader’s Annotation:JSTOR, a non-profit service, offers a variety of people the reliable scholarly content they need.
 

Information About the Database: JSTOR was originally created to help libraries cut down on the cost of building a digital library (JSTOR: Factsheet, 2012). In 2009, JSTOR merged with ithaka. org (JSTOR: Factsheet, 2012). JSTOR has access to over 1400 scholarly journals, will soon be offering books, and is dedicated to preservation and high quality digitization ((JSTOR: Factsheet, 2012).

JSTOR also has an incredible reach and impact on many institutions (JSTOR: Factsheet, 2012). JSTOR reaches over 7,000 institutions in 150 countries, 990 secondary schools, 132 libraries in about 32 countries (JSTOR: Factsheet, 2012). JSTOR prides itself in providing access to reputable scholarly journals, primary sources, and soon, books (JSTOR: Factsheet, 2012).

Genre: Database

Curriculum Ties: Could tie into a lesson on best practice research methods and techniques.

Booktalking Ideas: N/A

Reading Level/Interest Age: 15 +

Challenge Issues: No challenges. I will present the following listed materials if any issues do arise.

1) Refer to Library Bill of Rights, see items: I, II, and III (http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill).
2) Refer to San Diego Public Library collection policy - (http://www.sandiego.gov/public-library/about-the-library/freedom.shtml).  Original site: The American Library Association (ALA) Freedom to Read/View Statement (http://www.ala.org/offices/oif/statementspols/ftrstatement/freedomreadstatement).
3) Refer to California School Library Association (CSLA), Model School Library Standards - September 2010 (http://www.csla.net/index.php/publications/school-library-standards). PDF: (http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/documents/librarystandards.pdf).

4) Refer t0 American Association for School, Librarians Standards for the 21st Century Learner (http://www.ala.org/aasl/sites/ala.org.aasl/files/content/guidelinesandstandards/learningstandards/AASL_Learning_Standards_2007.pdf)

5) Contact Office of Intellectual Freedom for any further support, 800-545-2433, ext. 4223 or oif@ala.org.

6) Refer to legitimate book reviews, such as: School Library Journal, Booklist, Kirkus Reviews, Horn Book and others; found on either Academic Search Premier, Follett's TITLEWAVE, or Amazon.com.

Why did you include this database in the titles you selected?: I chose this resources because it offers teens another legitimate resource for high quality research materials, such as: scholarly journals, primary sources, and books. These are all important factors of a strong researcher and scholar.

Reference Page: 

JSTOR.  (2012).  JSTOR: About.  Retrieved July 17, 2012 http://about.jstor.org/about-us

JSTOR.  (2012).  JSTOR cover art. Retrieved July 17, 2012 from http://www.the-digital-reader.com/2011/01/12/jstor-to-add-ebooks-in-2012/#.UAdYbpHAHyI

JSTOR.  (2012).  JSTOR: Factsheet.  Retrieved July 17, 2012 from http://about.jstor.org/sites/default/files/jstor-factsheet-20120213.pdf