Resource Highlight

For the last four decades the Library-Archives Division of the Wisconsin Historical Society has been working on collecting, processing, and scanning records from across Wisconsin. These records are the product of a collaborative partnership with FamilySearch, Ancestry, the state court system, and other institutions.  

“Having access to [these] records online is very critical and important to family history research,” said Matt Blessing, Administrator for the Division of Library, Archives and Museum Collections for the Wisconsin Historical Society. Having digitized, searchable, online records allows amateur and professional researchers and genealogists to have easy access to primary sources that decode the past. 

The Family History Records put together by WHS includes:

• Wisconsin, State Censuses, 1895 and 1905
• Wisconsin, Birth Index, 1820-1907
• Wisconsin, Deaths, 1820-1907
• Wisconsin, Marriage Index, 1820-1907
• Wisconsin, Wills and Probate Records, 1800-1987

The collection is hosted by Ancestry and access to the Wisconsin specific records is available to Wisconsin residents through BadgerLink, Wisconsin’s Online Library. To access the records, Wisconsin residents may need to log in to BadgerLink using a Wisconsin public library card.

“BadgerLink’s purpose is to provide quality online resources to Wisconsin residents, and the partnership with the Wisconsin Historical Society, providing access to this Wisconsin-centric collection is a great opportunity for both organizations to further our goals and provide Wisconsin residents with great online resources.” said Martha Berninger, director of Resources for Libraries and Lifelong Learning. 

On Thursday September 29th at 10am, participate in a free Genealogy Class to learn how to use Wisconsin Historical Society Family History Records, and stay tuned for additional training materials from the Wisconsin Historical Society and BadgerLink.

Have you read the recent NPR story about free SAT study tools? Students can now tap into online SAT test prep tools via Khan Academy. But did you know that students in Wisconsin have always been able to access test prep materials via BadgerLink’s subscription to LearningExpress Library?

LearningExpress Library is a powerful online learning resource available through BadgerLink. The various LearningExpress Library Centers organize ebooks, practice tests, and courses by audience and subject.

• Adult Learning Learn More
• Career Learn More
• College Learn More
• College Preparation Learn More
• High School Equivalency Learn More
• Popular Software Skills Learn More
• Recursos para Hispanohablantes Aprende Más
• School Learn More

Practice Tests

Help students and adults prepare for a wide range of exams—such as the GED®, ACT®, and career certification tests.

Take practice tests in one of 3 simulation modes where you can view answers during testing untimed, learn the material untimed, or practice your test skills in a timed mode.

More Than 190 ebook Titles Available

In addition to a wide range of interactive skill-building tutorials and instantly scored practice tests, LearningExpress also offers online access to electronic reference books. More than 190 eBook titles, perfect for students and adult learners.

Here are just a few:

• ACT® Essay Practice
• ACT® Flash Review
• ACT®: Power Practice 
• ACT® Word Games
• AP* Biology Flash Review
• AP* U.S. History Flash Review
• Aprenda Rápido: Escritura/Writing
• Aprenda Rápido: Lectura/Reading
• Aprenda Rápido: Vocabulario y Ortografia/ Vocabulary and Spelling
• ASVAB Core Review
• ASVAB Success
• ASVAB
• ASVAB Power Practice
• CDL: Commercial Driver’s License Test Prep
• GED® Test Skill Builder: Mathematics
• GED® Test Power Practice
• GED® Test Flash Review
• GED® Test Skill Builder: Reasoning through Language Arts
• GRE® Vocabulary Flash Review
• Guía de Ciudadanía/Naturalización en U.S.A.
• Job Interviews That Get You Hired
• PraxisTM Praxis II® Elementary Education: Content Knowledge (0014 and 5014)
• Praxis II® Mathematics (0065 and 5161)
• Praxis II® Power Practice Elementary Education: Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment 0011 and 501)
• Praxis II®: ParaPro Test Prep (0755 & 1755)
• Praxis® Core Academic Skills for Educators (5712, 5722, 5732)
• SAT* Math Essentials
• SAT* Writing Essentials
• SAT*/PSAT* Word Games
• TOEFL iBT® Vocabulary Flash Review
• Vocabulary for TOEFL iBT®
• Write Your Way into College: College Admissions Essay
• Write Your Way into College: SAT* Essay

Inevitably, as an educator or librarian, you receive gift cards for Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Half Price Books. As you lounge by the fire in a post-holiday glow, remember BadgerLink!

Did you know that BadgerLink has a book recommendation resource? NoveList and NoveList K-8 are fiction recommendation databases that you can use to find book lists, read-a-likes, and other fun stuff. Browse for books not just by subject but also by tone, writing style, pace, genre, and audience. 

NoveList is the perfect resource for finding your next book!

Winter conjures up very specific images for those who live in the snow-covered North. But is this the same around the world? 

Winter festivals from around the world surprisingly share similar aspects. As the days grow shorter, various cultures celebrate light, exchange gifts, and spend time with family. 

Learn about our similarities through research on BadgerLink! Download the flier from Google Docs.

November is a time to spend time with family and give thanks. Celebrate Thanksgiving with this BadgerLink flier, available on Google Docs.

October is a time to celebrate Fall; bake apple pies, rake the leaves, and enjoy the last of the warm weather. So why do we also spend October dressing up in costume and trying to scare each other? Why do we go house to house and beg for sweets? 

This BadgerLink flier on Google Docs showcases creepy facts about Halloween!

BadgerLink resources can help you this school year! Explore our primary sources, articles, images, videos, skill-building materials, ACT practice tests, lesson plans, and other standards-aligned materials!

Get the BadgerLink Goes Back to School flier available on Google Docs.

Have questions about where to find these resources? Ask a Librarian!

As the days grow longer and warmer, you'll want to spend more time outside. What better way than beautifying your garden? BadgerLink provides full-text articles to a variety of popular gardening magazines. Get started here with a few:

• Horticulture (1990-present)
• House Beautiful (1984-present)
• Mother Earth News (1990-present)
• National Wildlife (World Edition) (1990-present)
• Organic Gardening (1984-present)
• Yard and Garden (2004-present)

Find more magazine articles by searching resources listed on the BadgerLink Magazines page. 

If you have any questions, Ask a Librarian!

National Poetry Month is a month-long, national celebration of poetry!

BadgerLink is participating in this poetry jam by providing online resources like literary criticism (Literary Reference Center), articles about writing poetry (MasterFILE Premier), full-text poems (LitFINDER), biographical information on poets (Britannica School), and poetry book suggestions for kids (NoveList K-8) and adults (NoveList).

Download the BadgerLink Celebrates National Poetry Month handout from Google Docs. 

Contact BadgerLink if you have any questions!

Women's History Month highlights contributions that women have made to history. Use BadgerLink to find images, articles, video, and other information about scientists, writers, and other great thinkers!

Get started with this BadgerLink flier available on GoogleDocs that showcases some Women's History from BadgerLink!

Feel free to share what you've found on Facebook or Twitter!

Not finding what you're looking for? Ask a Librarian!