The R.O.A.D. I Travel - 2014 Jaffarian Award Winner

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The R.O.A.D. I Travel

(Research, Observe, Analyze, Discover)

School: Perry Meridian Middle School, Indianapolis, Ind.

Applicant: Leslie Preddy, Library Media Specialist

Read the full application narrative here



to view an archived version of a free webinar with 2014 Jaffarian Award winners Leslie Preddy and Suzanne Walker, originally held on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2014.



2014 Jaffarian Award winner Leslie Preddy





Jaffarian Award winning applicant Leslie Preddy (c) with program partner Suzanne Walker (l),

and award committee chair Nancy Keane (r), at the 2014 Annual Conference in Las Vegas

Program Summary

Over the course of one semester, librarians assisted five eighth-grade classes and nearly 500 in researching their family histories online and in historical newspapers on microfilm. The students visited the Indiana State Library and the Indiana Historical Society, learning from historians and preservationists how to interpret historical photos and preserve family documents. Students also interviewed family members and caregivers to learn more of their family history, developing valuable memories as well as in-depth learning skills. The R.O.A.D. I Travel project culminated in each student's creation of a personal research goal and plan, with an independently developed personal family research project presented at a community project fair.

Program Images



Students conduct online research


Students conduct online research

Student learning how to use microfilm at Indiana State Library

A student learns to use microfilm at the Indiana State Library

Instruction on the card catalog

Instruction on the card catalog at the Indiana State Library

Perry Meridian students at the Indiana Historical Society

Perry Meridian students at the Indiana Historical Society


Instruction on preservation

Instruction on preservation


Students learn to preserve family documents through hands-on activities

Learning to preserve family documents through hands-on activities


Community project fair at Perry Meridian Middle School

Community project fair at Perry Meridian Middle School

Press