[Publib] Free Student/Library-Patron Access to Primary-Source DataBase

[Carole Bos]

Last week, AwesomeStories - the subscription-based web site http://www.awesomestories.com (with 125,000 links to primary sources at national archives, libraries, government and academic websites worldwide) and freely used in 25,000 schools and libraries - announced a holiday gift for students:    

"As our holiday gift to students, their parents and the general public, we are waiving the $9.95 annual subscription fee. There will be no 'group access' for these memberships, but students (and their parents, if they wish) can receive free individual access to the site by simply requesting it with this form. https://www.awesomestories.com/signup.php?ua=individual_signup  We recognize that many students, and their families, cannot afford 'extras' like on-line subscription fees. In an effort to encourage children, and others, to read - and to assist them as they use the Internet to research topics and locate primary sources - we are saying 'Happy Holidays!'"

With their individual password, people can access the database from any computer connected to the Internet.  A story about the science of spiders http://www.awesomestories.com/movies/charlottes_web/charlottes_web_ch1.htm was recently released to coincide with the above announcement and the opening of "Charlotte's Web."  It is anticipated that stories behind the films "Apocalypto" and "Eragon" will be on the site this week.  A privacy policy http://www.awesomestories.com/content/privacy.shtml is strictly enforced.

Free academic-group status - for educators, schools and libraries - remains available, without restrictions, by submitting this form. https://www.awesomestories.com/signup.php?ua=group_signup 


Carole Bos
Dean's Advisory Board
Grand Valley State University
bosc at gvsu.edu