Ask an IPL Librarian
Have a question? Ask an IPL Librarian!
(Use our Contact Us form for questions/suggestions about our site.)
The Ask an IPL Librarian Reference Service will close between academic terms beginning December 20, 2007 at 10 p.m. (EST). We will reopen the service on Monday, January 5, 2008 at Noon (EST). We use this time to work behind the scenes to improve this service. Happy Holidays from all of us at the IPL!

Are you interested in leading a healthy lifestyle? This section contains advice on a healthy diet, nutrition and different kinds of fitness. Are you concerned about your feelings and how you can find out more about some of your most private questions? You can find out about both physical and mental conditions here. This section also contains valuable resources for anyone interested in sexuality or sexual-identity issues. Health and Sexuality can inform you about many of the issues which affect you the most, but you were afraid to ask!

Sub-headings:

Abuse and Exploitation
Emotional, physical and sexual abuse issues are explored candidly through information and resources for help.
Body Image & Eating Disorders
Check out this category for answers to your questions about anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and other kinds of eating disorders. Research how to gain a more positive body image. Explore the history of eating disorders and learn about how to find successful treatments.
Drugs
Find out the facts about alcohol, drugs, tobacco and medications and the effects they have on the body. Resources discuss the sources of addictions and pathways to recovery.
Exercise
Whether you love to exercise, or wish you did, or would like to learn more about Yoga, the fitness section can help you get started. Resources provide general nutritional information and fitness evaluation. “How to” sites can give you tips about stretching and practicing Yoga moves.
Girls' Health
From eating disorders to menstrual cycles, reproductive health to breast cancer, the health of young women requires specialized sets of resources. Try the links here.
Illness and Conditions
Look here to learn about AIDS, asthma, epilepsy and diabetes.
LGBTQ Interest
Are you an out or questioning teen? Are you looking to connect with others who are discovering their own queer sexuality? If so, you've come to the right place. This section is filled with advice, resources, and entertainment for the LGBTQ teen community.
Mental Health
Life’s emotional challenges can become overwhelming. If you are concerned about stress and anxiety, or if you need to find out more about depression and suicide, please look into this section. General and specific resources are included to help inform and advise.
Nutrition
This is where you can find answers to your questions about healthy diets. Whether you are a vegetarian, an athlete, or concerned about food allergies, this site will provide resources for you. A section on eating disorders will help explain the facts and offers some resources for those seeking advice.
Puberty and Body Changes
Looking for information about acne, periods, body changes, and sites about puberty for teenage men and women both? Here's a collection of websites.
Sex
Do you have questions about abstinence, safe sex, and sexually transmitted diseases? Want to find out about birth control and pregnancy? This section is full of up to date information and advice on sex issues important to the confused and the curious.

Resources in this category:

Abouthealth.com: True Stories that Change How You Live :: http://www.abouthealth.com/index.htm
This site has true stories from teenagers about topics including "sex, bullying, eating disorders, feeling fat, drugs and alcohol ? and many other challenges."
American Love Stories :: http://www.pbs.org/weblab/lovestories/
"Can love overcome any obstacle?" Read the stories of interracial couples, lesbian couples, differently-abled couples, and more, in this look at love in America.
Centre for Adolescent Health Fact Sheets :: http://www.vicnet.net.au/health/healthadol/
A series of facts sheets on areas of concern to teenagers, such as eating disorders, depression, and family issues. This site is from Australia, but the issues effect teens almost everywhere. Be patient --- it takes a long time to load!
Choosing a Piercer :: http://www.safepiercing.org/choosePiercer.html
So you have decided to pierced, but where are you going to get it done? Visit this site first to help you have a safe piercing experience. For instance, do they use sterilizer and run spore tests?
Dr. Drew :: http://www.drdrew.com/
Answers and information to many important teen questions along with additional articles, reviews and resources. Dr. Drew Pinsky is a medical doctor with extensive experience in providing medical help to teens.
FAQ: Teenage Orthodontic Patients :: http://www.bracesinfo.com/teenage.html
"Includes why get braces, how does orthodontic treatment work, what is having braces like, what kinds of braces are there, what steps occur during orthodontic treatment, other questions and concerns about braces, and other information about orthodontics."
Go Ask Alice :: http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/index.html
This site, from Columbia University, offers loads of advice for teens and college students on topics great and small. Teens may ask Alice about relationships, nutrition and diet, drugs, sex, alcohol, stress, etc.
Health Information for Teens :: http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/kids/html/7teens.htm
This is a collection of articles from FDA Consumer magazine: "FDA Consumer magazine periodically runs articles with important health information for teenagers, ranging from nutrition and sun safety to eating disorders and preventing sexually transmitted diseases."
HealthRock :: http://www.healthrock.com/
Listen to music and get information about health.
How Stuff Works :: http://www.howstuffworks.com/
Are you curious about the technological mysteries behind VCRs, guitars, and microwaves? See how things work, from thermometers to web pages to batteries. You can learn about automotive topics, digital technology, the human body, electronics and much more.
Iwannaknow.org :: http://www.iwannaknow.org/
Provides "answers to your questions about sexual health and sexually transmitted diseases." This site, operated by the American Social Health Association, gives information on the basics of STDs, provides a forum to find and share information and additional links on sexuality.
Kids' Health: Teens :: http://kidshealth.org/teen/
This site contains vital information from medical experts for Teens. Topics covered include: asthma, contraception, dieting, depression, STDs, training, eating disorders, steroids, alcohol, date rape, smoking, lyme disease, self-defense, drugs, abuse, suicide, shoplifting, and so much more. You can do a quick search to find exactly what you are looking for. Also, make sure to check out the "Health Horoscopes."
Learn2 Cut Down on Toxic Household Cleaners :: http://www.tutorials.com/08/0858/0858.asp
"Any cleaning substance you use ends up in the air, the water, or the soil and, ultimately, inside your body--so you may want to minimize your use of toxic products in your home."
Learn2 Improve Your Posture :: http://www.tutorials.com/08/0808/0808.asp
Quit slouching!
National Runaway Switchboard :: http://www.nrscrisisline.org/
National Runaway Switchboard is a free place where teens can go to talk about issues, through on-line chat, bulletin boards, and on the phone. If you, or a friend, are having problems at home, and are thinking about running away, the National Runaway Switchboard offers help.
Neuroscience for Kids :: http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/neurok.html
Want to learn more about the nervous system? If so, this site is for you! "Enjoy the activities and experiments on your way to learning more about the brain and spinal cord."
Planned Parenthood :: http://www.plannedparenthood.org/
Educates young men and women on protecting their health. Includes medically accurate and comprehensive information to ensure healthy living and make informed and responsible choices.
Sex, etc. :: http://www.sexetc.org/
This site provides sex education by teens, for teens. It is a magazine and website on sexual health and other topics that is dedicated to providing accurate information. The site offers a FAQ spot, opportunities to ask an expert, blog and much more.
Teen Health and the Media :: http://depts.washington.edu/thmedia/
This site focuses on the impact that the media has on teen health issues including alcohol, tobacco, sexuality, violence, and body image. It includes facts and statistics on advertising and marketing aimed at teenagers.
Teen Health Centre :: http://www.teenhealthcentre.com/articles/publish/
This web site includes all kinds of great information to help teens stay healthy inside and out. Topics include health, relationships and a whole lot more.
Teen Health Home Page :: http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/Health/TeenHealth/index.html
Topics included at this site are: Healthy Sexuality, Sexual Orientation, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Pregnancy, Women's Health, Men's Health, and Sexual Assault. Dalhousie Medical School students created this site with the help of information from teens about their concerns.
Teen Help :: http://www.teenhelp.com/index.html
Information for teens about their most pressing issues including sex, health, drugs, alchohol, depression, suicide, pregnancy, stress, eating disorders and more. Links to articles about topics and also has a glossary of terms that are of use to teens. Parents can learn a lot too.
Teenage Diaries on National Public Radio :: http://www.radiodiaries.org/teenagediaries.html
Since 1996, the Teenage Diaries series has been giving tape recorders to young people around the country to report on their own lives. They conduct interviews, keep an audio journal and record the sounds of daily life—usually collecting more than 40 hours of raw tape over the course of a year.
Tools for Life :: http://www.kidshelpphone.ca/en/
"Information, tips, links and more that you can use in facing life's challenges." Sections include: Friendship & Love, Diversity, Family, Birth Control, STIs & AIDS, Eating Disorders, Drug Abuse, Abuse, Sexual Violence, Suicide, and Violence. The site is also available in French.
     
 
   
 
IPL Home | About the IPL | KidSpace | TeenSpace | Privacy Policy | Accessibility Info | Contact Us

What is the IPL?

The Internet Public Library is a public library for the world wide web.
Students from a consortium of colleges and universities with programs in information science develop and maintain the IPL!
Here are some of the partners in the IPL Consortium. A complete list is found on the IPL Consortium page.

The iSchool at Drexel Florida State University College of Information University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Graduate School of Library and Information Science Rutgers School of Communication and Information Studies

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Information and Library Science University of Pittsburgh School of Information Sciences Syracuse University School of Information The Information School - University Of Washington

The Internet Public Library is hosted by The iSchool at Drexel, College of Information Science and Technology,
with major support from the College of Information at Florida State University.