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Black History Month Resources

Every February, Canadians celebrate Black History Month. The United Nations declared the decade from 2015-2024 as the International Decade for People of African Descent.  “This International Decade aims to celebrate the important contributions of people of African descent worldwide, advance social justice and inclusion policies, eradicate racism and intolerance, promote human rights, and assist in creating better, more prosperous communities”. 

As we celebrate the contributions of Black Canadians, past and present, we invite you to explore and learn more through our Black History Month topic guide below. Here you will find eBooks on Sora, Tumblebooks and Abdo; videos on Curio; database articles; websites; and books and kits on loan through the LRC. 

All topic guides including this one can be found at any time here

Don’t forget to check with your elementary school Library Technician and your secondary school Librarian for even more books and resource guides! 

As always, contact your school Library professional for passwords or more information on accessing these and other related resources, or contact LRC@hcdsb.org if you have any other questions.     

Please note that the Board has no control over the changing content of electronic resources. Use your professional judgment when accessing resources. Resources are for HCDSB staff and students only. To maintain our agreements with our vendor partners, we must ensure we are not posting passwords in any public forum.     

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A New Phone Number for the LRC!

The phone number for Library Services (LRC) has recently changed. Parents/guardians, students, staff and members of the community interested in reaching the LRC through phone are welcome to call: 905-632-4784.

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Biographies and Lincoln Alexander Day

Looking for something different to read this week? Why not try a biography? To learn more about authors, historical figures, people in popular culture or even your favourite athlete, a biography is a great choice for your next read. 

School Libraries at HCDSB hold a wide variety of biographies for students to check out. In addition, staff and students can find many biographies and autobiographies in eBook format. Check out Sora’s Popular Subjects Biography and Autobiography page, to find 115 different titles, including over 30 eBooks from the popular Who was…? series. Many biographies can be found on databases like Gale as well! Find all databases under Information Databases on the Library Services website

The LRC holds many biographies that can be found by searching the LRC catalogue. We recently added 5 new biography kits containing 6 different biographies each from the Who was…? Series. If staff are interested in bringing them into their classrooms, check them out below: 


Who was…biographies 

Who was…biographies 

Who was…biographies 

Who was…biographies 

Who was…biographies 

An important, impactful and significant individual to learn more about is the Honourable Lincoln MacCauley Alexander. On January 21st, Canada pays tribute on the 8th annual Lincoln Alexander Day. Lincoln Alexander was Canada’s first Black Member of Parliament, Cabinet minister, and Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario.  January 21st is the perfect day to pay tribute as it is Alexander’s birthday. Learn more about his life, work, achievements and impact on Canada through biographies including this article on The Canadian Encyclopedia. Read more about the meaning of this day in Canada here, and check out this short video on Curio, Honouring Lincoln Alexander

As always, contact your school Library professional for passwords or more information on accessing these and other related resources, or contact LRC@hcdsb.org if you have any other questions.    

Please note that the Board has no control over the changing content of electronic resources. Use your professional judgment when accessing resources. Resources are for HCDSB staff and students only. To maintain our agreements with our vendor partners, we must ensure we are not posting passwords in any public forum.    

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Math Resources

Over the past year, the Learning Resource Centre has expanded their collection of Math resources and we thought we would share. Check out some of the many new (or old favourite) math kits and books that align with the curriculum and support the many ways students learn. 

Our new additions include 16 Mathology little book kits for kindergarten to grade 3. These books are written by Canadian Indigenous authors and educators and support math learning, while honouring and celebrating Indigenous culture. Each kit includes 4 or 5 student books and a teacher’s guide, each connected to a specific Big Idea and Math focus, as well as an Indigenous culture connection. Search Mathology little books in the LRC catalogue to book these great kits. 
 Want to see more? Search the LRC catalogue or check out the Math kiosk to find Math kits supporting specific strands in the curriculum. Be sure to check back often. We’re always adding more! 
 Staff and students can also find a wide variety of databases and additional websites to support teaching and learning under the Mathematics section of the Elementary, Secondary and Staff Resources pages. 

New to ordering from the LRC? Visit the Staff Resources page of the Library Services website and find instructions under Quick Links in the document Ordering Resources from the Learning Resource Centre (LRC). You can also click the icon under Booking Items at the LRC for a video on booking items.  

As always, contact your school Library professional for passwords or more information on accessing these and other related resources, or contact LRC@hcdsb.org if you have any other questions.   

Please note that the Board has no control over the changing content of electronic resources. Use your professional judgment when accessing resources. Resources are for HCDSB staff and students only. To maintain our agreements with our vendor partners, we must ensure we are not posting passwords in any public forum.    

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Services during remote learning

Happy new year HCDSB! Whether students are learning at school or remotely, HCDSB staff and students always have access to the MANY educational e-resources available through Library Services and HCDSB.

All resources can be found on the Library Services website through the Elementary Resources, Secondary Resources and Staff Resources pages, and are separated by subject. Check out Accessing Online Resources at HCDSB for a quick step-by-step guide. 

From encyclopedia and research databases like PebbleGo, Infobase, Britannica, Gale and EBSCO, to video content on Curio and Learn360, and eBooks through Sora, TumbleBooks, TeenBookCloud, Capstone, and ABDO, there are so many resources at your fingertips! 

Staff can visit the Staff Resources page for more, including information about Copyright and how it applies to the classroom. 

While in-person learning is suspended, so is the regular courier service of Learning Resource Centre materials. Curb-side pickup is available to staff for continued access to our physical resources. 

Please note requests for resources through curb-side pickup must be sent directly to LRC@hcdsb.org. 

  1. First look for the item or items you are interested in borrowing. 
  1. Email LRC@hcdsb.org with your request, including the title(s) and preferred date and time for pickup. 
  1. You will receive a confirmation email from the LRC, including the pickup date and time and additional information about the location and procedure for safe contactless pickup on that day. Please arrive on time for your pickup, as times are staggered to ensure we are limiting visitors. 

As always, contact your school Library professional for passwords or more information on accessing these and other related resources, or contact LRC@hcdsb.org if you have any other questions.    

Please note that the Board has no control over the changing content of electronic resources. Use your professional judgment when accessing resources. Resources are for HCDSB staff and students only. To maintain our agreements with our vendor partners, we must ensure we are not posting passwords in any public forum.     

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Snuggle up and read!

Christmas is quickly approaching, and while the holiday season can be busy, it’s also important to take the time to relax, rejuvenate and connect with loved ones. Snuggle up with a blanket, grab some hot chocolate and read or listen to one of the many e-books available to you through Library Services! 

Check out some of the many great Christmas and holiday titles available through Sora, including these titles from the How to Catch series

Find some of the most popular Sora eBooks available here, and don’t forget you can place a hold on the most in demand titles to save your spot in line! 

Tumble Book Library and Capstone Library have many e-books that students of all ages can enjoy, including levelled readers, picture books, graphic novels, non-fiction titles and more. 

For our older readers, check out Teen Book Cloud for novels, graphic novels, non-fiction titles and more.   

For an extra treat while you read, there are tons of cookie recipe ideas that can be found on EBSCO’s Explora, or try one of the LRC’s favourite recipes for Candy Cane Cookies! 

We wish you a safe and relaxing break, and a very Merry Christmas! 

As always, contact your school Library professional for passwords or more information on accessing these and other related resources, or contact LRC@hcdsb.org if you have any other questions.   

Please note that the Board has no control over the changing content of electronic resources. Use your professional judgment when accessing resources. Resources are for HCDSB staff and students only. To maintain our agreements with our vendor partners, we must ensure we are not posting passwords in any public forum.    

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International Day of People with Disabilities

On December 3rd, we recognize International Day of People with Disabilities (IDPWD), with the 2021 theme “Fighting for rights in the post-COVID era.” IDPWD is meant for celebration, learning, optimism and action. One of its many objectives includes education around barriers to inclusion, and a commitment to equal human rights. “This year, International Day of People with Disabilities should be used to recognise that people who live with disabilities are among the most affected populations amid the COVID pandemic.” To learn more about the impact this organization and day has, visit International Day of People with Disabilities.  

HCDSB and Library Services have numerous resources to support awareness, education, and inclusivity. Books have the power to promote empathy, awareness, understanding, and allow us to see things through new perspectives. Check out the topic guide below for many resources to support this day, including books and kits from the LRC, eBooks, database articles, digital videos and additional resources. 

All topic guides can be found on our website here

As always, contact your school Library professional for passwords or more information on accessing these and other related resources, or contact LRC@hcdsb.org if you have any other questions.  

Please note that the Board has no control over the changing content of electronic resources. Use your professional judgment when accessing resources. Resources are for HCDSB staff and students only. To maintain our agreements with our vendor partners, we must ensure we are not posting passwords in any public forum.     

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Advent

Advent is the special time leading up to Christmas. In Latin, Advent means “coming”. This is a peaceful time that allows us to reflect and pray as we wait for the coming of Jesus. On the Advent wreath there are four candles, three purple and one pink, symbolizing hope, love, joy and peace.  

Be patient, and be ready; the coming of the Lord is near. James 5:7-10 

Check out our topic guide below to find many Advent resources, including eBooks, books, and kits from the LRC and additional website resources. 

All topic guides can be found on our website here

As always, contact your school Library professional for passwords or more information on accessing these and other related resources, or contact LRC@hcdsb.org if you have any other questions.    

Please note that the Board has no control over the changing content of electronic resources. Use your professional judgment when accessing resources. Resources are for HCDSB staff and students only. To maintain our agreements with our vendor partners, we must ensure we are not posting passwords in any public forum.  

*Featured image taken from Loyola Press 

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National Child Day

Canada celebrates National Child Day on November 20th. This day recognizes the rights of children and reflects the UN Declaration of the Rights of the Child and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). This year’s theme is #8MillionStrong, recognizing Article 6 of the UNCRC, that every child has the right to survive and thrive. For more information on National Child Day and to find many resources to support this day, visit the Government of Canada’s National Child Day pagenationalchildday.org,  nationalchildday.ca, and UNICEF’s 5 Ways to Celebrate National Child Day

This year, Nationalchildday.org is recognizing “the unique rights of First Nations, Métis and Inuit children – honouring the past, acknowledging the present, and igniting hope for the future.” This aligns with this year’s Canada History Week theme, Indigenous History, which takes place on November 22nd to 28th and will highlight stories of Indigenous languages, culture, and leadership while reflecting and engaging with Canada’s past. 

One notable story regarding children’s rights in Attawapiskat First Nation is that of Shannen Koostachin, who led the Attawapiskat School Campaign, advocating for a “safe and comfy” school, as all children deserve the right to safe and equitable education opportunities. Shannen’s dream lives on through the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society.

For more on Shannen Koostachin and her story, check out Shannen’s dream 
from the LRC. This DVD and the book Shannen and the dream for a school by Janet Wilson can also be found in many of HCDSB’s school libraries. 

For a variety of other books that support National Child’s Day and highlight the rights of children, check out the bookshelf below for books available through the LRC and eBooks available through Sora: 

As always, contact your school Library professional for passwords or more information on accessing these and other related resources, or contact LRC@hcdsb.org if you have any other questions.   

Please note that the Board has no control over the changing content of electronic resources. Use your professional judgment when accessing resources. Resources are for HCDSB staff and students only. To maintain our agreements with our vendor partners, we must ensure we are not posting passwords in any public forum.  

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Britannica School

Encyclopedias are a reference tool that can cover one or many subjects and can be geared to different audiences, from kindergarten to adult. They are a great starting point to learn about or research a specific topic.  

Historically, encyclopedias were multi-volume sets relegated to the library’s reference section which relied heavily on indices for searching related topics. Today, full-text searching in online encyclopedias allows readers to find related topics with a click of a mouse.

Wikipedia is a popular free online encyclopedia used by many, and although it is a source of a lot of information, that information may not be reliable. Because Wikipedia allows anyone to edit its entries, the information found on the site may be inaccurate, misleading, biased, or unsupported by reliable sources. Reputable encyclopedias are the best way to ensure students are accessing safe and accurate information, in the classroom and at home. One of the reputable encyclopedias HCDSB staff and students can access through Library Services is Britannica. 

Britannica School is a comprehensive online encyclopedia containing articles, primary sources, games and other resources to support learning and research from the early elementary grades through high school. There are many useful features to support educators implementing this resource in their teaching. Learn more about Britannica School and find tools and support for using this resource from their help page. Watch this video to take a virtual tour of Britannica school and learn tips and tricks, including ways to search and find relevant information at different learning levels. 

Also, check out the Website Evaluation section on the Research Help page of our website for resources to support media literacy skills, identifying unreliable sources of information, and evaluating web content. 

As always, contact your school Library professional for passwords or more information on accessing these and other related resources, or contact LRC@hcdsb.org if you have any other questions.  

Please note that the Board has no control over the changing content of electronic resources. Use your professional judgment when accessing resources. Resources are for HCDSB staff and students only. To maintain our agreements with our vendor partners, we must ensure we are not posting passwords in any public forum.     

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