Stranger Things
Some interesting research resources:
Though Chronicling America, the Library of Congress’s collection of 16 million newspaper pages, has a robust text search function, its visual content—photos, maps, comics, ads, cartoons, illustrations—isn’t quite as searchable. Enter Newspaper Navigator, a project that trained a machine learning model to identify visual content. Though the initiative is in its early stages, it will be a boon to historians, genealogists, journalists, and curious members of the general public.
To help in the increasingly difficult fight against misinformation, each week the Associated Press rounds up and sheds light on popular yet false stories that circulate. Librarians and patrons alike will find this a vital tool for fact-checking and an excellent resource to sharpen news literacy skills.
The Smithsonian has released 2.8 million images from its vast holdings—among them the National Air and Space Museum, the Smithsonian Libraries and Archives, and the National Zoo. An FAQ indicates that images are in the public domain as Creative Common Zero, meaning they can be used without permission from Smithsonian. Those looking to jazz up slideshows or websites are sure to find something among this wealth of offerings.
Social Networks and Archival Content
Flippantly described as “Facebook for dead people” (though individuals who are alive are covered here, too), this site collects disparate data such as biography, occupation, and relationships. Researchers curious about which special collection or archive might have information on a given subject will find this site a valuable starting point.
Part of the Public Accountability Initiative, an organization devoted to corporate and government accountability, this database makes clear the ways in which top organizations and individuals such as politicians, lobbyists, CEOs, and financiers are linked. Journalists, grassroots activists, watchdogs, and anyone concerned about corruption will find this a go-to resource.
Credit: Library Journal -- Best Free Resources 3/8/2021