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10 Ontario School Library association S an dr a Z ie m ni ak T L T h e c o n n e c te d L ib ra ry The theme of this issue of The Teaching Librarian is Heritage @ your library. In today's fast-paced, progressive-obsessive world we sometimes forget to pause and honour the past. When I asked some of my library regulars what "heritage" meant to them, they told me the word reminded them of "really old and boring things." Hmm...I thought, I have to admit that in the past I've occasionally mirrored that very sentiment. As a student "way back when" I think I must have felt that way because the only "heritage" experiences I had landed me at the same Pioneer Village three times - twice in grade school and once on a weekend trip with my family. Now, however, the wide and wonderful world of technology allows us to visit global heritage sites, as well as some pretty cool local ones, taking in as much of the past as our hearts desire. The following links are just a small sample of some of the more comprehensive heritage sites that exist. Hopefully, they will help you inspire your students to think about the past in a whole new light. Ontario Heritage Trust This is a great place to start when thinking of all things heritage. You'll find information on educational programs, resources and even how to go about renting heritage buildings. www.heritagefdn.on.ca/ Ontario Ministry of Culture The Ontario Ministry of Culture has several web pages full of interesting and useful information on Ontario heritage. One caveat, however, it has a text heavy and informational format, which is geared more toward teachers and organizations than students. www.mtc.gov.on.ca/en/heritage/heritage.shtml Ontario Government--Arts and Culture - Heritage and History This site offers a list of information and resource links such as Doors Open Ontario, which is dedicated to bringing communities together so they may showcase and share the pride of their heritage. www.ontario.ca/en/communities/arts/ ONT03_020903.html You may also want to have a look at the Archives of Ontario site which is filled with great resources including a section for educators called All About Teaching With Primary Documents (found under Education and Outreach). www.archives.gov.on.ca/english/index.aspx Canada's Historic Places Register While this is not an exhaustive register of all of Canada's historical locations (this site is a work in progress), you can search many places of local, provincial, territorial and national significance. www.historicplaces.ca/en/pages/register-repertoire. aspx Library and Archives Canada www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/index-e.html Of course we can't forget about the Library Archives of Canada, which collects and preserves Canada's documentary heritage, making it Canada's largest national collection of diverse resources. Of particular interest might be the Canada's Continuing Memory collection, which has great educational resource links such as these virtual exhibitions: First Among Equals, The Prime Minister in Canadian Life and Politics www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/primeministers/ kids/index-e.html The Kids Site of Canadian Trains www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/trains/kids/ index-e.html Beyond the Funnies: The History of Comics in English Canada and Quebec www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/comics/index-e. html