BadgerLink is a suite of databases funded by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction that provides Wisconsin residents access to a variety of academic, health, business, and general interest databases. It includes resources like newspaper archives, encyclopedias, streaming videos, genealogy records, literature references, test preparation materials, and more. BadgerLink can be accessed through Wisconsin public libraries, schools, and directly from home for Wisconsin residents. Similar programs exist in other states to provide statewide access to online resources.

1. BADGERLINK
Spring 2012

2. SAY WHAT?
 BadgerLink is “a project of the Wisconsin
Department of Public Instruction (DPI), Division for
Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning”
 Basically, a suite of databases. $2.2 million a year
worth.

3. WHAT’S THERE?
Database Name Description Field
Access NewspaperARCHIVE Searchable newspapers, from the General interest; genealogy;
1700s history
EBSCO Access to 36 of EBSCO’s Health; science; education;
databases reference; general interest
ECB VideoLink Streaming and downloadable Music; video; education
videos and images for K-12
students and teachers
Encyclopedia Britannica English and Spanish language General interest; education;
encyclopedias for K-12 students Spanish language
and teachers
HeritageQuest Online Genealogy resource (American) Genealogy; history
including primary sources, local
and family histories, and finding
aids
LearningExpress Library Skill-building resource including Education; job and workplace;
practice tests, ebooks, and online admissions and placement;
courses Spanish language
LitFINDER Primary literature content, Literature; education
including plays, poems, essays,
and shot stories
TeachingBooks Movies of authors and illustrators, Literature; education
book readings, and guides to
children’s and young adult
literature

4. ANYTHING ELSE?
Resource Name Description Field
Education Sites Free websites for K-12 teachers Education
Found in Wisconsin Index of digitized books, photos, History; education;
videos, and other resources
available through WI libraries,
historical societies, and museums
Government Sites Index of state and federal Education; politics; general interest
government information
Library Directories Index of all Wisconsin libraries General interest
Songbook Database Search engine for locating printed Music; general interest
sheet music
Web Portals A list of library-related websites General interest
WISCAT Online catalog of Wisconsin library General interest
holdings
Wisconsin Digital Archives Database of full-text state General interest; politics
documents (2001-present)
Wisconsin Heritage Online Collection about Wisconsin history, General interest; history
heritage, culture, and people
WorldCat Catalog of national and General interest
international holdings

5. WAIT! THERE’S MORE
Holy crap, right?
 Toolkit for Parents
 Toolkit for Educators
 A giant archive of how to do almost anything related
to BadgerLink:
 http://www.badgerlink.net/training.html
 Access to BadgerLatté seminars
 Thursday afternoon webinars designed for teachers and
library media specialists

6. HOW DO I FIND IT?
 Here at UW:
 The librarians have already done the work for you
 http://ebling.library.wisc.edu/portals/consumer/
 On the outside:
 Your local (Wisconsin) public library
 (hidden)
http://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/databases/subject
 (advertised) http://www.west-
bendlibrary.org/wordpress/?page_id=38
 From home:
 BadgerLink is free to all Wisconsin residents. If your internet
service provider (ISP) is Wisconsin-only, you will automatically
be logged in
 http://www.badgerlink.net/

7. SO WHAT?
As a library user:
 Research:
 Academic Search Premier, LISA, LISTA
 Consumer Advocacy:
 Consumer Reports, Auto Repair Reference Center,
government websites (DATCP)
 Reader’s Advisory:
 NoveList, LitFINDER, Literary Reference Center
 Health Resources:
 Health Source, Alt Health Watch, LEXI-Pals Drug Guide
 Business & Job Seeking
 Business Source Premier, Job Search and Workplace
Skills

8. As a public librarian:
 Consumer Health:
 Consumer Health Complete, Health Source, Medline
 History/Genealogy:
 History Reference Center, HeritageQuest, Found in
Wisconsin, Wisconsin Heritage Online
 Reader’s Advisory:
 NoveList, NoveList K-8, LitFINDER, Literary Reference
Center
 Reference:
 Encyclopædia Britannica, Mke PL Reference Portal,
Consumer Reports, Science Reference Center
 Spanish-language:
 EBSCO, Enciclopedia Juvenil, Enciclopedia Universal
 Homework Help:
 Searchasaurus; History, Literature, and Science Reference
Centers

9. As a school librarian:
 Curriculum Development:
 BadgerLink “Education Sites” page, Toolkit for teachers
 Teacher Support:
 ECB Videolink, ERIC
 Student Research:
 Student Research Center, Searchasaurus, Kids Search,
Encyclopædia Britannica (multiple editions), Access
NewspaperARCHIVE
 Test Prep:
 LearningExpress Library
 Reader’s Advisory/Literature:
 NoveList K-8, LitFINDER, TeachingBooks

10. I’M “GEOGRAPHICALLY MOBILE”
 BadgerLink is only available with a valid Wisconsin library
card or access through a WI IP address
 BUT...there are similar programs in other states:
 Minnesota: http://www.elm4you.org/
 Maine: http://libraries.maine.edu/mainedatabases/
 California: http://www.library.ca.gov/
 Louisiana: http://lalibcon.state.lib.la.us/
 Most often, it’s through a state public library, rather than a
separate entity within the department of education

11. HAVEN’T HAD ENOUGH?
http://www.badgerlink.net/training.html