The temperance portal contains several items about the argument for temperance in individual lives and United States law. Four are songbooks, in the tradition of gospel songbooks, meant for meetings and gatherings. Some books contain only temperance-themed selections, while others mix temperance, sacred, and secular pieces into one printing. Two other sources are sermons on temperance, or rather, the problems of intemperance. Both sermons were printed roughly a century before the eighteenth amendment was passed in 1919.

The final three sources included do not fit the mold of other items on prohibition. The Anti-Saloon Year Book provides facts and figures about the sale and movement of alcohol in the years leading up to prohibition, including a state-by-state breakdown of populations and groups. “Prohibition Blues,” a song for soloist and piano, follows the blues form about feelings should prohibition go into effect, which it did. Lastly, Ten Nights in a Bar Room, is a drama about the 1920s. Each is a unique item speaking to the times, opinions, and beliefs of their authors.

Research Questions
Analyze the sermons of Beecher and Kirkland. What are some of the reasons given for a temperate lifestyle or country?

This portal includes five hymnals or songbooks, all of which center around themes of temperance. How does each source change due to its purpose and musical notation? Are some more effective than others?

The sources cover almost a century, from 1814-1917. How were the arguments changed over time to reflect the times of the twentieth century?

Other than the Anti-Saloon Yearbook, all of the sources come from a Northern perspective. Using additional sources, how do these voices compare to the Southern United States voices on the same matters?

Examine “Ten Nights in a Bar-Room” using previously studied techniques. Extract themes from the play and compare those to the real-world sentiments, texts, and statistics of the sermons, songs, and encyclopedia.

Activity: Item Research Presentation
To begin, assign students, or groups of students, topics within the field of temperance, such as texts used, recurring themes, and primary arguments for or against legislation. Students then identify, access, and utilize sources with the portal to develop a ten-minute presentation used to teach their peers about the topic. Students or groups are expected to determine the scope of research needed to develop an informative presentation for other students. As each becomes knowledgeable about their topic, they examine the information found for conflicts or gaps. If teachers are also focusing on research in addition to primary sources, students may be required to identify and utilize at least one other scholarly source within their research.

Activity: The Press Conference
Assign each student the role of “press speaker,” presenting a five-to-ten-minute presentation about the news item, in this case, the item within the portal. This should include a few facts, a brief demonstration or presentation of images, and a news point, e.g., an important aspect of the presentation that can serve as a hook for the audience of the news report. After the presentation by the instruction librarian, the “press corps” of students is required to ask questions related to the news item in general or the presentation. This can lead to further demonstration of whatever information resource may have been the subject of the “press conference.” Following the “press conference,” students are asked to write a report on the news item presented to them based on their research and the “press conference.”

Activity: Performance and Reflection
Many of the items within this portal call for some type of performance, whether as a song, sermon, or drama. Depending on students’ skill sets, have them select one piece or section to perform. To best perform the selection, students must first research the creator, along with the purpose of creation. After research and practice time, have students perform for one another, in the style of a lecture-recital with some speaking or introduction followed by the performance. If desired, have students reflect on the process of performance or how the performance impacted their understanding of the message.

ProQuest Legislative Insight
Covers and provides full-text digital access to the legislative history of the U.S. Congress – the steps leading up to a bill’s enactment as the law of the land. Covers from 1929 to the present. Included with the public law are: “bills (all versions), legislative reports, documents, CRS reports, committee prints, speeches in the Congressional Record and presidential signing statements.”

ProQuest Historical Newspapers: New York Times
Provides coverage for the New York Times from 1851 – three years ago (rolling date).

Academic Video Online
Brings together on a single cross-searchable platform a completely integrated online repository of Alexander Street Press video titles. Includes newsreels, award-winning documentaries, field recordings, interviews, lectures, training videos, and exclusive primary footage.

American Religion: Denominational Newspapers
Contains more than 320 historical religious and denominational newspapers from 33 U.S. states, including many major denominations. Articles reflect American religion as a dominant cultural and social force, shaping views on slavery, politics, women’s suffrage, Prohibition, westward expansion, and other great issues of the day.

American History, 1493-1945
Makes available American History documents from the times of the earliest settlers until the end of World War II. Contents include primary source documents, including correspondence, diaries, government documents, business records, books, pamphlets, newspapers, broadsides, photographs, artwork, and maps. Many of the handwritten documents have been transcribed and/or translated for use by undergraduates.

Singing the Temperance Blues
An audio and visual representation of music written during the temperance movement from the University of Illinois. Includes spoken introductions by researchers featuring specific pieces.