New and newly-discovered Web sites for librarians and everyone else, updated every Thursday morning. See more resources on our site, http://lii.org/.

• The Blurb

Enjoy timely sites related to Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, American Indian Heritage Month, John F. Kennedy (died November 22, 1963), Mark Twain (born November 30, 1835), and the Leonid meteor showers. On the health front, find resources on American Diabetes Month, the Great American Smokeout (November 19), and the flu.


• Tip of the Week

This Fall, LII's newsletter will be published on the first Thursday of the month, and will focus on websites related to holidays and observances, seasonal topics, and current events. Look for the next edition on December 3.

In 2010, the Internet Public Library (IPL) will merge with the Librarians' Internet Index (LII) to create ipl²: Information You Can Trust.



• Turkey for the Holidays

This guide includes information on turkey cooking techniques, selection, carving, side dishes, nutrition, food safety, and using leftovers. Also features interesting trivia and facts about turkey and Thanksgiving, and related links. From the University of Illinois Extension.


• google.org: Flu Trends

This tool "uses aggregated Google search data to estimate flu activity." View data for the U.S. (national and states) and several other countries, and download raw data for current and historical estimates. Provides an overview of the tool and a FAQ. From Google.


• MedlinePlus: H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu)

Compilation of links to publications and websites about swine flu, which is "named for a virus that pigs can get. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen." Includes links to fact sheets, news, travel advisories, clinical trials, and other resources from government and health agencies. From the National Library of Medicine (NLM) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).


• Leonids: Leonid Multi-Instrument Aircraft Campaign (Leonid MAC)

Find forecasts, results, and images of Leonid meteor showers. Also includes background, news, biographies, and other material from 1998-2002 Leonid Multi-Instrument Aircraft Campaign (MAC) missions and more recent Leonid storm research. From the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).


• Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum

This museum in Hannibal, Missouri, includes author Mark Twain's boyhood home, the home of the girl who was the model for the Becky Thatcher character in "Tom Sawyer," and his father's office and courtroom, which was the model for the courtroom in "Tom Sawyer." The site features images of the buildings, a chronology and genealogy, a book publishing history, a large collection of lesson plans, and a section for children.


• National American Indian Heritage Month

"To promote awareness of and appreciation for the history and culture of American Indians and Alaska Natives during National American Indian Heritage Month," this National Park Service site presents monuments, buildings, and other places associated with the prehistory and history of Native Americans. Includes lesson plans and travel itineraries.