Accessing and Integrating Primary Source Documents: Providing Professional Development Opportunities

The Library of Congress offers a wealth of primary source documents that can be integrated into the classroom to enhance critical thinking skills of students as they learn about historical and other related topics. Similarly, these materials can be promoted via individual libraries for their 24/7 access online. Understanding what primary source documents are available and how to locate the material is essential for their use. The Library of Congress provides librarians with an opportunity to offer professional development programs to educators at their institutions and beyond. This case study focuses on the professional development program for teacher training in Southern New Jersey and Southeastern Pennsylvania, developed collaboratively by the Library of Congress; the Teaching with Primary Sources Eastern Region led by Waynesburg University; Rowan University; and Delaware County Community College.