What are LINCS Special Collections?
Purpose:
The LINCS Special Collections are one-stop electronic gateways to information on and materials for use in literacy instruction in a specific content area (such as Health literacy or English as a Second Language), literacy instruction in a specific type of setting (such as Correctional education or Workforce education), or professional development resources (including the use of Technology or the Equipped for the Future framework) for literacy instruction and program development.
Each LINCS Special Collection has certain unique selection criteria to reflect either the topical focus or the featured resource type of that collection. Resources in each collection are peer-reviewed before they are included in a LINCS Special Collection, and each collection is reviewed regularly by a Core Knowledge Group. For more information on the criteria for specific collections, follow the links below.
LINCS Special Collections General Selection Criteria:
All resources and sites are reviewed using the following criteria before being selected for inclusion in the LINCS Special Collections.
1) The site must be relevant to the collection in which it is to be included and focus on one or more of the following topics:
2) The site must contain significant content useful for the field. Sites with the primary purpose of advertising commercial products will not be included unless significant portions of the sites contain highly relevant educational or informational content. A statement should be included to indicate that inclusion does not indicate endorsement.
3) The site must fit within the subject topic of the special collection and within the categories included in the special collections.
4) The site's primary purpose should be educational or informational.
5) The site should be directed to a regional,
national, or international audience.
| Required Catagories | * optional |
| In Banner | LINCS Special Collection A Service of the National Institute for Literacy |
| LINCS logo | As well as National LINCS, About LINCS, NIFL, and 5 Regional Buttons at the bottom of the page. |
| An index or home page that | Includes a description of the purpose of the site, target audience, outlines site contents, and tells What's New on the site. |
| Five Top Buttons w/ Alt Tag descriptions | Collection / Discussion / MyLINCS / HOT Sites / Literacy Directory |
| About Us | Information about the collections, the goals, objectives, target audience, selection criteria, and explanation of the review process. Information about organization, Content Development Partners, and members of the Core Knowledge Group. |
| Contact Us | Invites comments about the site, including problems, and informs users whom to contact. Should also encourage recommendations of additional sites to include and questions about the collection and its content. Organization information/address, Coordinator name(s), phone numbers(s) and email address(es). |
| Site Map | An index or map of the contents of the site that will guide less experienced users through the collection. |
| LINCSearch Button | Top Left Corner |
| Search Box | Providing access to search materials within the specific Collection (HTML code provided upon request.) |
| Facts & Statistics | Statistical sources, typically in bullet form, useful for public relations efforts or for program uses like grant writing. This category also includes research studies. |
| Research Page | Includes main research section and specific research in subject area of collection. |
| Links & Directories (If applicable) |
Includes link for additional directories |
| Organizations & Associations (If applicable) |
Information on organizations and associations connected to work on the special collection topic. |
| News & Events | Link to LINCS Newsflashes and Calendar; May link to other news bites, and announcements, as well. |
| Online discussion (If applicable) |
Includes information on bulletin boards and electronic discussion lists. - Mandatory for Collections with complementary NIFL Discussion Lists. |
| Student/Learner Resources (If applicable) |
Includes materials for learners to use directly or with minimal assistance. |
| Teacher/Tutor Resources (If applicable) |
Includes instructional materials and resources for instructors and learners. |
| Manager/Administrator Resources | Includes instructional materials and resources for program managers and administrators of adult education/adult and family literacy programs. |
| Last Updated on - date - | Date of last updates (- please make sure that all dates have been updated on each page.) |
| * Glossary | Includes difficult to understand terms used on or relevant to the site. |
| * History | When available and applicable, a brief history of the field is included in special collection sites. |
| * Policy & Legislation | Includes links to policy briefs and other information about current legislation. |
| * Showcase | May be used to highlight "exemplary" projects and/or to promote locally produced materials. Should be updated regularly/quarterly. |
Please contact Mary Jo Maralit with questions.