Tag Archives: PBS

Books, Programs, Resources

Apply Now: The Vietnam War programming kit opportunity

The Vietnam War: An Intimate History, by  Geoffrey C. Ward and Ken Burns
 “More than forty years after it ended, the Vietnam War continues to haunt our country. We still argue over why we were there, whether we could have won, and who was right and wrong in their response to the conflict. When the war divided the country, it created deep political fault lines that continue to divide us today. Now, continuing in the tradition of their critically acclaimed collaborations, the authors draw on dozens and dozens of interviews in America and Vietnam to give us the perspectives of people involved at all levels of the war: U.S. and Vietnamese soldiers and their families, high-level officials in America and Vietnam, antiwar protestors, POWs, and many more. The book plunges us into the chaos and intensity of combat, even as it explains the rationale that got us into Vietnam and kept us there for so many years. Rather than taking sides, the book seeks to understand why the war happened the way it did, and to clarify its complicated legacy. Beautifully written and richly illustrated, this is a tour de force that is certain to launch a new national conversation.”

Public libraries are invited to apply to receive a programming kit for “The Vietnam War,” a 10-part documentary film by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick that will air on PBS stations beginning Sept. 17.  Apply now to bring a programming kit for “The Vietnam War” to your public library.

Fifty public libraries will be selected, through a competitive application process, to receive the kit, which will include a programming guide and a copy of the full 18-hour documentary series on DVD, with public performance rights. The kit will help libraries participate in a national conversation about one of the most consequential, divisive and controversial events in American history.

Recipients will also receive promotional materials, online resources developed to support local programs, opportunities for partnership with local PBS station(s), and more.

Participating libraries will be required to host at least one program related to the film before Jan. 1, 2018, along with other promotional and reporting requirements.

View the full project guidelines: https://apply.ala.org/thevietnamwar/guidelines

Or begin your online application: https://apply.ala.org/TheVietnamWar

Applications must be received by Aug. 1.

In an immersive narrative, Burns and Novick tell the epic story of the Vietnam War as it has never before been told on film. “The Vietnam War” features testimony from nearly 80 witnesses, including many Americans who fought in the war and others who opposed it, as well as Vietnamese combatants and civilians from both the winning and losing sides. Learn more about the film at http://www.pbs.org/kenburns/the-vietnam-war/home/.

The project is offered by the American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office in partnership with WETA Productions in Washington, D.C.

_______________

Sarah Ostman

Communications Manager

Public Programs Office

American Library Association

312-280-5061

General, School Media Specialist

Our Favorite Aardvark!

ArthurPBS has been a great source for educational children’s shows that are still a hit with the kids.  In Bethany Opler’s Buzzfeed list, 19 Reasons “Arthur” Was The Best Kids Show Of Our Generation, we’re reminded of one of those shows.  And, if you don’t agree that “Arthur” is the best kids show, we think she can change your mind – especially with reasons #1, #12, & #13.

Want more “Arthur”?  Check it out on PBS Kids – you’ll find resources for all ages!

Image credit: http://tinyurl.com/y9ebcne
Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

PBS Website Hacked – A Teachable Moment?

By now you’ve likely heard that the PBS website was recently hacked. While this incident is incredibly unfortunate for PBS and Tupac fans, skilled librarians and media specialists can use it as a prime example during information literacy workshops and discussions with students. Many people would likely assume that PBS is always an accurate new source; however, this situation proves how very important it is to fact check and to consult a variety of sources before using and citing information from all sources, even those thought to be “reliable”. You never can be too careful!

Academic, Public, School Media Specialist

PBS Launches New Online Community for Educators

PBS has unveiled a new online community for preK-12 educators that aims to support the advancement of digital media content in education. “PBS Teachers Connect” provides Web 2.0 tools and opportunities for teachers, school library media specialists, technology coordinators, early childhood educators, and other education professionals to share ideas, collaborate, and support the effective use of technology to enhance learning. The new online community is built around PBS Teachers, the web portal to the wide-ranging multimedia instructional resources and professional development services that PBS offers preK-12 educators. At no cost, educators can search more than 3,000 standards-based classroom activities, lesson plans, interactive resources, and other materials on the PBS Teachers web site, then easily bookmark, annotate, share, and manage their tagged content within the PBS Teachers Connect community. The site also enables educators to form shared-interest groups online. The community features a personalized home page for each user, enhanced user profiles, a searchable database of resources and community members, bookmarking tools, and discussion threads. Additional components, such as private messaging, community feeds, friend feeds, online events, and a digital media gallery, will be available this fall, PBS said.

http://www.pbs.org/teachers/connect