SCHOOL LIBRARY MEDIA SITES
Some Musts from Library Web Page Builders:
- Home page should not use scrolling (I’m okay with a little scrolling.)
- All pages have an icon to go back to the homepage
- Name files with lowercase letters and no more than 8 characters so fits all servers
Resources for Online Activity and Library Web Page Builders
http://mciu.org/%7Espjvweb/libres.html
Retrieved 6/8/06
Select other places I visited:
A WebQuest About School Library Web Sites Evaluating Library Web Sites Chart Joyce Valenza. http://mciu.org/~spjvweb/evallib.html (September 18, 2005)
Retrieved 6/8/06
Schnell, Eric H. Schnell. Writing for the Web: A Primer for Librarians. Columbus: OH. (2005) http://bones.med.ohio-state.edu/eric/papers/primer/webdocs.html
Retrieved 6/8/06
Other Musts:
- Clear use of color
- Succinct hyperlinks and icons
Components:
- Hours open
>>>>>Namely, before, lunch, after school, and any summer hours.
- Summer reading lists and programs; other special items and current library events
>>>>>Librarians assist in developing reading grade lists. Posting will help if hard copy is lost. Sometimes librarians are very involved with acknowledging summer reading at the start of the new year. Maybe students names could be posted, in September, for those who did exemplary reading or book projects. Two of the school library sites, I visited, had birthday information which was I liked. Students can still be involved in the school library over the summer, if open, or directed to their public library. Being there over the summer, even if only on the web, would assist with keeping the rapport going between students and the librarian.
- Student book and media reviews and place for requests/suggestions
>>>>>Build peer relations and acceptance of reading for recreation. An idea may be for older students to advise younger students on books they liked and resources that helped them with classes. This would ‘pull’ both older and younger students in.
- Online data base
>>>>>Main resource of the library unless you consider the librarian the main resource.
- Copyright, plagiarism, citations quick reference
>>>>>Very important considering all the cheating issues and confusion on these topics. Helps for teachers and students should be included.
- Select reference sources to search
>>>>>Librarian can choose the best resources and those that meet her school’s curriculum and interests.
- Quick research reference guide (matching what grade teachers specify)
>>>>>Simple and easy to assist students; it’s a "library" thing.
- Library Policies
>>>>>Upfront information about the mission, selection policy, and way that overdues will be handled. Any other policies needed.
- Links to fun sites and tutorials
>>>>>Encourage further worthwhile exploration of reading, learning, and technology.
- Disclaimer
>>>>>For links that take the user off the site.
- Internet Safety Helps
>>>>>Guidelines for parents such as the computer being in a central location in the home and possible use of filters to block sites or to select site parents have pre-approved.
- Something for everybody- students, staff, and parents
>>>>>>It’s a team effort so include everyone. Parents are VERY important and having a link for them will help public relations which influence students and staff. Also, may pull in some volunteers (parent or student) and could list your needs for help here.
Select websites I visited:
I looked at Bryn Mawr School Libraries The upper and lower school libraries were separated for their search catalogs. The catalog search methods were clearly laid out. There was one feature "web collection plus’’, at the lower school library catalog, but it wasn’t a working link. Newspapers, books, magazines, and reference books could be searched online. Library hours, policies, copyright information, citation hekp, pathfinders, tutorials, reading lists (also, for two other local schools), a google search bar, and two blogs (poetry and books) were included among other things. The user scrolls the main page and clicks on text hyperlinks. There was link to get back to the home page.
Bryn Mawr School Libraries.
http://www.brynmawrschool.org/home Retrieved 6/8/06
There was an online catalog, birthday links, book links, great links for kids, and an internet ‘treasure hunt" . A disclaimer at the bottom warned users that links go to outside website and are used at their own risk. The colors used are red and white and there are nine boxes. It has a busy feel despite the organization being fairly simple; maybe because the boxes were crowded together. Within each box are 1-2 hyperlinks. Graphics were minimal.
Groth, Kristina. IHPS Library Web. Indian Hill School District: Cincinatti,
OH. (June 1, 2006).
http://www.ih.k12.oh.us/pslibrary/media.htm Retrieved 6/8/06
This was the best one of the three. Colors were bold and even though there was a lot there, it could be found. Any more and it would have been too ‘busy.’ There was a disclaimer warning that links may or may not be current, despite their best intentions, and that they link to outside the site. There is are links for parents and teachers. Staff are listed with pictures. They were once listed as the site of the week on Eduhound and for TechLearning. There is a link to suggest books, about the birthday club, for tech assistance for teachers (a blog) There are web quests, cyber hunts (scavenger hunts), a day in history, There is a link to take you to the home page on each page. On the teacher’s page, there are videos on all subjects (United Streaming) and another research tool and passwords are needed. At this page, there are many, many links to other places. I saw a link on cyber bullying, but none offhand on copyright. A site map consists of 4 columns.
Greller, Julie. Hilldale Elementary Library Media Center. Pine Brook: NJ
http://www.ih.k12.oh.us/pslibrary/media.htm Retrieved 6/8/06
Debby Hare, MS
June 2006