Rebecca Barbusca

SLM521SP03

4/19/03

School Library Media Websites – Elective #9

What exactly makes a school library media Website the most useful and relevant to students, parents, and teachers? After reviewing several such websites, here is a list of some of the components I think should be included.

#1 – First and foremost, the site should be attractive and interesting. Since most users will explore the Website for only 90 seconds or less, “hook” them in with photos of the school and media center, students, and media-related activities. Change the photos regularly to keep them coming back, and to advertise recent events. Avoid using too many flashing graphics and splashy backgrounds; they tend to be distracting and make the text difficult to read.

#2 – Be sure the site is easy to navigate. If it is not user-friendly, why would anyone want to come back? Make sure all links work, and don’t use links that will take the user off into cyberspace because the return button won’t work. Keep text and annotations brief and simple. Avoid excess “scrolling” to find information. List URL’s along with the links so users can print out copies of the page to take home and visit linked sites later.

#3 – Keep the intended audience in mind. Since the Website is for the school’s library media center, the main audience in most cases will probably be the students. Make sure the content is written on their level. The younger the audience, the more simple the site and content should be.

#4 – Include a separate page for parents and one for teachers, and tailor those pages to the groups’ needs. On the parent page, include information that they would find interesting, like hints to improve their child’s reading skills, how to chose quality books for their child, how to help effectively with homework, and maybe even a reading list for adults, like the ALA Notable Books for Adults list (<http://www.ala.org/Template

.cfm?Section=Book_Media_Awards&template=/ContentManagement/

ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=26676>). Survey the parents to see what should be included! On the teacher page, include upcoming workshops or seminars of interest, post training sessions given through the media (use of computer labs, Power Point, Gradebook Plus, etc.), arrival of new books or resources related to grade level curriculum, and a bibliography of resources to help improve teaching skills. Consider surveying the teachers as well, so their specific interests and needs can be addressed.

#5 – Present information that is specific to your media center. Post names of the staff, hours of operation, and rules for how and when to visit when classes are in session. Explain the circulation policy (maximum number of materials that may be checked out, how long they may be kept, how to renew), equipment that is available, the catalog that is used, and information about the collection (numbers and types of periodicals and books, reference materials, non-print materials). Post a calendar of media center events and services, including the Book Fair, book clubs, Black-Eyed Susan contests, Read Across America (www.nea.org/readacross/) and summer reading programs.

#6 – Create a “Great Books” page. Write brief, annotated bibliography entries for books recommended by other students (have students write their own entries, and give them credit on the site!) To avoid frustration, be sure to classify entries by reading levels or ability, and categorize the books according to genre (fiction, nonfiction, mystery, biography, etc.) Provide information about students’ favorite authors, and post links to the authors’ Web pages. Link to sites giving information about books that have received awards, like Caldecotts (<http://www.ala.org/Content/NavigationMenu/

ALSC/Awards_and_Scholarships1/Literary_and_Related_Awards/

Caldecott_Medal/Caldecott_Medal.htm>), Newberys (<http://www.ala.org/

Content/NavigationMenu/ALSC/Awards_and_Scholarships1/

Literary_and_Related_Awards/Newbery_Medal/Newbery_Medal.htm>), Pura Belpré Award winners (<http://www.ala.org/Template

.cfm?Section=Book_Media_Awards&template=/ContentManagement/

ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=21567>), Coretta Scott King Award winners (<http://www.ala.org/Template

.cfm?Section=Book_Media_Awards&template=/ContentManagement/

ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=10105>), winners of the Sibert Medal (<http://www.ala.org/Template

.cfm?Section=Book_Media_Awards&template=/ContentManagement/

ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=21608>), ALA Notables (<http://www.ala.org/Content/NavigationMenu/ALSC/

Awards_and_Scholarships1/Childrens_Notable_Lists/

2003_Childrens_Notable_Books/2003_Childrens_Notable_Books.htm>), and Black-Eyed Susan Award books (<http://www.tcps.k12.md.us/memo/

besall.html>).

#7 – Link to a page providing students with information about bibliographical format used by the school. Avoid complicated sites like apastyle.org (unless the students are very advanced in ability). Instead, agree as a school on bibliographical format, and create a page that lists examples of bibliographical entries for different types of resources.

#8 – Finally, provide links to Internet resources, such as search engines like Yahoo (<http://www.yahoo.com/>) and Google (<http://www.google

.com/>), reference sites (include access information) like Grolier Online (<http://auth.grolier.com/cgi-bin/authV2?bffs=N>), Encylopedia Britannica (<http://www.britannica.com/>), American Heritage Dictionary (<http://

www.bartleby.com//61/>), and Merriam-Webster Online (<http://www

.m-w.com/thesaurus>), and directories and helpful Websites like KidsClick! (< http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/KidsClick!/>) and the US Government’s Official Web Portal (<http://firstgov.gov/>). Don’t forget a link to the public library (Howard County Library <www.HCLibrary.org>)!

In conclusion, the school’s library media Website is a reflection of the school and the media specialist, and can be a great advertisement of your program, as well as a wonderful public relations device. If you want the site to be the best, keep it simple, be brief and concise, and make it useful and user-friendly. Be sure to update the site frequently, and actively request input from students, teachers, and parents in order to meet the needs of the school and community.