·http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/earth-atmospheric-and-planetary-sciences/12-340-global-warming-science-spring-2012/index.htm

Many of our readers will no doubt already be familiar with MIT's excellent OpenCourseWare (OCW), which offers free college-level curricula online to the public. The OpenCourseWare site is well worth a browse, as it offers courses on a variety of useful and engaging subjects such as business, health and medicine, mathematics, fine arts and science. This particular course, which was originally offered to undergraduate students in the spring of 2012, looks at the science behind global warming. Content includes lecture notes, assignments and student projects. The content could be used as a springboard for instructors teaching similar classes, or may prove useful to curious individuals looking to learn more about this timely and important topic. [AHT]

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·http://ocw.tufts.edu/Course/76

Dietitians and nutritionists already know the importance of nutrition science. Now, others can learn more about this field through this course from Tufts University's OpenCourseWare Initiative. This particular course was offered through the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy and was designed with working professionals in mind. The course was developed by Diane McKay and the materials here include the syllabus, a course calendar, and lectures. The course meetings cover sixteen topics, including vitamins, proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates. In the Lectures area, visitors can find overviews of each meeting, along with the audio content for six of the meetings. All in all, it's a nice overview of these critical topics and users will appreciate the accessibility and compelling nature of the course and its delivery. [KMG]

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·http://www.ala.org/news/state-americas-libraries-report-2013

The American Library Association has published its annual State of America's Libraries Report for 2013, which is available in full online. A supplement of the association's American Libraries magazine, this special report takes a look at where libraries stand, how people are currently using the spaces and services provided, and how libraries are adapting to larger cultural changes such as the prominence of social networking. Not just for public librarians, the report also discusses the state of library services in schools and academia. Additionally, the document emphasizes the adaptability of libraries in the digital age, while also pointing out where there is room for improvement. The report may be downloaded as a PDF or viewed via a Flash-enabled magazine viewer. [AHT]

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·http://www2.epa.gov/learn-issues

This page from the United States Environmental Protection Agency provides information on many significant environmental health issues. In addition to providing general interest information on topics like radon, acid rain, and asbestos, the site also delivers an interactive resource that allows users to learn more about concerns specific to their area. Under Where You Live, visitors may enter their own location to access a special MyEnvironment section of the site. Here one can access air and water quality data or view an interactive map of their local area. The map feature provides data on Superfund Sites, risk of cancer due to environmental concerns and much more. A section with teacher resources, games and quizzes for K-12 students is also provided. [AHT]

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·http://eospso.gsfc.nasa.gov/

NASA's Earth Observing System (EOS) is "a coordinated series of polar-orbiting and low inclination satellites for long-term global observations of the land surface, biosphere, solid Earth, atmosphere, and oceans." On their website, visitors can learn about the EOS's various projects and initiatives via their in-house newsletter, "The Earth Observer," and by looking at their vast collection of images captured by satellites. Users can select the Images by Mission drop-down menu to peruse images from fifteen different missions, including Aquarius, ICESat, and SeaWinds. The site also contains a Communications area, which offers up key publications, educational posters, calendars, booklets, and facet sheets. [KMG]

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·http://www.imls.gov/resources/videos.aspx

This page from the Institute of Museum and Library Services gives access to the group's archived videos and webcasts. Videos feature profiles of the yearly winners of the National Medal for Museum and Library Services, sketches of noteworthy museums and collections, innovative projects, and more. This webpage also provides access to previous years' WebWise conferences on libraries and museums in the digital age, which include voluminous archived content. Additionally, videos from previous Connecting to Collections forums are also provided here. [AHT]

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·http://www.landmarks.org/

Landmarks Illinois, founded in 1971, works to preserve the historic buildings of the state along with its rich architectural history. Their website is a valuable resource for anyone interested in historic preservation, including individuals hoping to save a local building. Visitors may learn about endangered historic sites, view significant properties that are currently for sale, and read the inspiring success stories of buildings that have been saved or restored. Within the Preservation Resources section,40 Over 40 shares the details of forty prominent sites which have been protected within the past forty years. Perhaps most importantly, the group provides useful information for those looking to apply for preservation grants or get involved in saving Illinois' historic places for generations to come. [AHT]

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·http://serc.carleton.edu/sp/library/studentresearch/index.html

The Science Education Resource Center (SERC) at Carleton College is a source of excellent classroom resources, including lesson plans on science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and more. This module takes a look at the undergraduate research experience. Instructors looking to more deeply engage their undergrads are using collaborative research projects to advance student knowledge and allow students hands-on, experiential learning. This page provides information about this teaching method, several examples of classroom projects and a bibliography of references and resources on undergraduate research. [AHT]

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·http://imslp.org/

The Petrucci Music Library is an essential database for musicians, music librarians and teachers, as well as lovers of classical music. The online collection shares public domain music via a searchable interface. On the main page, visitors may search for works by composer (or composer's nationality), genre, time period, or melody. Searching by melody is particularly interesting, as it launches an interactive keyboard on which users may play (or, for those of us less musically inclined, attempt to play) a familiar melody in order to search the database for it. Some searches will yield YouTube clips of the music. The website also provides scans of sheet music from many composers, genres and world locations. [AHT]

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·http://dlxs.lib.wayne.edu/cgi/i/image/image-idx?c=cfai

Changing Face of the Auto Industry, presented by Wayne State University's Digital Collections, provides access to archival materials documenting Michigan's rich history in auto production. Selecting Browse all media brings visitors to a collection of historic photographs documenting the history of iconic companies such as Ford, Cadillac and Hudson. Users may also perform a keyword search from the collection's main page. The collection currently features 159 records and would be of equal interest to auto industry buffs, historians, or curious Michiganders. [AHT]

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·http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2013/Teachers-technology-and-writing.aspx

How have digital tools impacted the way student writing is taught in schools? It's a question that has animated the folks at the Pew Internet & American Life Project and it is the subject of this timely paper by Kristen Purcell, Judy Buchanan, and Linda Friedrich. These researchers interviewed 2,462 Advanced Placement and National Writing Project teachers to talk about how everything from social media to the Internet have transformed the experience of teaching writing. The 114-page report can be viewed in its entirety or visitors can also read highlights on the site as well. Policy makers and the like may wish to download the survey questions for a detailed look at the report's methodology. [KMG]

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·http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/scied/teachers/

Science teachers around the country and the world have a good friend in the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. They have brought together dozens of helpful teaching aids in this fine corner of their website. There are booklets, fact sheets, websites, and flyers all arranged into neat and tidy sections. The Booklets area includes "You and Your Genes-Making it in a Tough Environment" and "Guide to Keeping Laboratory Notebooks." The Fact Sheets section includes overviews of endocrine disruptors, allergens, and environmental factors and breast cancer risk. Additionally, the Interviews with Scientists/Researchers section is quite inspiring and features conversations with a lung doctor, an environmental analyst, and a microbiologist. [KMG]

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·http://www.library.kent.edu/page/16736

The shootings at Kent State University on May 4, 1970 were a key domestic event of the Vietnam War. People were outraged by the shootings and the tragedy dominated the media for days afterwards. This digital collection from Kent State University contains many items from their physical holdings that document those events, including photographs, oral histories, and so on. Visitors to the site can read an FAQ section, look over bibliographies, learn more about their in-house oral history project, and learn about using the physical collection in person. A good way to get into the collection is by using the Browse Subjects area. Here, visitors can examine over two dozen headings, such as ambulances, gas masks, and signs. For cultural historians and others interested in recent American history, this site will be a moving and welcome resource. [KMG]

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·http://digital.library.northwestern.edu/homer/

Who knows this rare bard, the late poet Homer? A team of dedicated classicists at Northwestern University know him quite well and this project offers ample evidence of their abilities. Project editors Ahuvia Kahane and Martin Mueller have worked with others to create a multilayered database of works including the Iliad and the Odyssey in four separate erudite translations. Clicking on the Enter button will give visitors entry to the translations where they can read the original ancient Greek alongside several translations. It's worth noting that visitors can also search around at their leisure for specific passages. Additionally, visitors can use the Corrections area to offer their own thoughts on the errors and bugs that they might catch during their own close reading. [KMG]

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·http://ksj.mit.edu/

Based at MIT, the Knight Science Journalism program offers fellowships and workshops to journalists seeking to increase their understanding of science, technology, medicine, and related fields. It's a great resource for these persons and for the general public as well. The Tracker section offers "peer review within science journalism" via daily commentary on items dealing with health & medicine reporting, environmental issues, and related matters. Visitors can offer their own commentary and suggest additional resources and links. Additionally, within the Media Gallery, visitors can find video pieces, slideshows, and audio links. The video pieces are the real highlights here and include conversations on social media and journalism and reporting on energy issues. Additionally, visitors can sign up to receive their updates via RSS feed or Twittter. [KMG]

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·http://www.mfa.org/exhibitions/hippie-chic

What did it ever mean to be a hippie and how can we accurately describe this slice of American culture and attitude more than four decades after the term was first used? The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston took on the fashions and trends of "hippie chic" with their in situ exhibit. This website is offered as a complement to that exhibit and includes interviews with curators, an exhibition preview, and a video that takes interested parties behind the scenes. In the Slideshow area, visitors can look at nine different designs from the era, including an amazing woman's jacket from 1970 that is truly celestial. Moving on to the Explore area, visitors can try the hippie chic remix and star on their own psychedelic album cover. The site also features a Spotify mix to get people thinking about the period, complete with songs like "Maggie May," "Sugar Magnolia," and "Wild World."[KMG]

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·http://www.myndbook.com

Would you like to take notes seamlessly and bring together your thoughts in a visually intriguing fashion? Myndbook Maps can help as it gives users the ability to jot down notes and then bring them all together at a later date. The user interface is extremely flexible and users can also watch a short video about the many features and functionalities. This version is compatible with all operating systems. [KMG]

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·http://www.4sync.com/

4Sync is a rather useful way to sync hundreds of files quickly and easily. The service provides users with backup copies of their files and visitors will find they can use multiple platforms to do so. This free version offers 15GB of storage at no charge and is compatible with all operating systems. [KMG]

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Vandalism at national parks
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/vandalism-at-national-parks/2013/07/26/b653b2ba-f62b-11e2-9434-60440856fadf_gallery.html

A brief history of D.C. landmark vandalism
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/going-out-guide/wp/2013/07/29/a-brief-history-of-d-c-landmark-vandalism/

A look at the world's most notorious art vandalism
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/culture-lifestyle/130726/the-worlds-most-notorious-art-vandalism

Street-art vandals deface Northcote stencil featuring men kissing
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/north/streetart-vandals-deface-northcote-stencil-featuring-men-kissing/story-fnglenug-1226686472249

Gromit sculptures attacked in Bristol amid wave of public art vandalism
http://blogs.artinfo.com/artintheair/2013/07/01/gromit-sculptures-attacked-in-bristol-amid-wave-of-public-art-vandalism/

Public Art: The District of Columbia
http://dcarts.dc.gov/service/public-art-collections

It was a tough week for public art in Washington, D.C. as a ne'er-do-well decided to splash green paint over Daniel Chester French's celebrated Lincoln Memorial. It is certainly not the first act of vandalism against public art in the District, as in recent years Maya Lin's Vietnam Veterans Memorial was defaced with some type of oily substance and another person decided to throw pink paint on one of the sphinxes outside the Scottish Rite Masonic Temple. Fortunately, the National Park Foundation jumped into action and they set up a Twitter hashtag (#respectlincoln) to coordinate donations to help clean up the damage. While the suspect remains at large as of this writing, the authorities remain hopefull that this person will be apprehended shortly. [KMG]

The first link leads to an article from the Washington Post about this recent act of vandalism. The second link leads to another piece from the Washington Post that discusses the history of vandalism against public art in the city, complete with photos and commentary. Moving along, the third link will take visitors to a recent piece from Global Post about some of the most egregious acts committed against art, including the hammer attack on "The Pieta" by Michelangelo in 1972. The fourth link leads interested parties to an article on a recent act of vandalism against a piece of artwork in Melbourne, Australia that featured two men kissing. The fifth link will take users to the ArtInfo website that discusses a bit of art vandalism against a playful sculpture of Gromit, the noted canine half of the comedy duo, Wallace & Gromit. Finally, the last link leads to an excellent guide of public art in the District of Columbia, provided courtesy of that city's government.