The kids are becoming too Internet dependent and that is their first source when researching. Libraries offer much and actually can have much more in depth materials. I do a very good historic letters project where the students write each other as if they were living in the turn of the century. It is good because it requires students to research, write, and to role play. It also shows them the value of letter writing in general and the idea that common people do make history.
Letters are a valuable source to the historian even when written by non-famous people.
My 1960 Computer simulation is a true highlight. The students get excited about politics and history and they see what is what like to have an election decided by only a few votes. They come away with the understanding that voting counts and that in a democracy, it is one of the most important responsibilities of a citizen. The 1960's campaign simulation is a computer program where the students decide where to allocate resources and where to campaign with their candidate over a mythical nine-week period. Each week, a new poll comes up and shows all of the 50 states and who is leading in them.