The Internet Public Library Introduces "WebINK: Internet Newsletter for Kids"

For Immediate Release

CONTACT:

Schelle Simcox
School of Information
University of Michigan
550 East University
Ann Arbor, MI
48109-1092
editors@webink.ipl.org

July, 1996

The Internet Public Library announces the premier issue of WebINK: The Internet Newsletter for Kids. WebINK is a monthly newsletter published by the Internet Public Library for children aged 7-13. Each issue focuses on a single topic and is complemented by an accompanying Parent/Teacher Guide and an interactive Web site: WebINK Online. The first Issue of WebInk covers the Olympics, featuring history, art, music and sports.

In each issue a topic is explored from numerous perspectives, highlighting its relationship to the arts, sciences, math, geography, history, entertainment, current events, and more. The print publication leads parents and children to the most compelling Internet resources related to that issue's topic. Additional WWW sites, educational activities and print resources are included in the Parent/Teacher Guide.

A subscription to the print version of WebINK: Internet Newsletter for Kids is only $19.95 a year for 10 issues and $29.95 for International Subscriptions. Each subscription to WebINK includes access via password to WebINK Online. "WebINK Online" available for $19.95 a year complements the print Newsletter and provides more articles, interactive activities, and Internet sites.

The Internet does not have to be a tangled mess of ideas and content. WebINK saves parents, teachers and children valuable time. Our team has found some of the most interesting resources for children and woven them together to deepen interest and inquiry. Our staff is composed of information professionals and educators whose goals are to provide a unique and exciting resource using the Internet while promoting learning and growth.

The Internet Public Library is a project based at the University of Michigan School of Information, partially supported by a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. The library began as a graduate student project in 1995, and is now staffed by professional librarians with assistance from students and volunteer librarians from around the World. The library maintains a collection of network-based ready reference works; responds to reference queries, creates resources for children and young adults; evaluates and categorizes resources on the Internet, and provides a space for exhibitions. The library strives to be a source of innovation in the networked environment, seeking partnerships with organizations with compatible goals.