What should a School Library Media
Site include?
The following is a list of items that I will
include on my web site when I become a school librarian.
1- Audience Appropriate Information
When developing a site for the school library,
one must consider who the reader will be. Students, parents, teachers,
and community members will most likely be visiting the site. One
must make sure the vocabulary is appropriate for age-level of students
who attend the school. Avoid flashy colors and background images
which are overwhelming. Also, font size 10-14 is recommended.
Remember the site will be mostly visited for research reasons and not entertainment.
2- Services
The services offered by the library should be
listed on the website. The services should be labeled and organized
in a user-friendly fashion. If a parent wants to know the policy
on returning and checking out books, they want to locate the information
quickly and easily. Information about library actives should also be mentioned.
3- Table/List
A person only wants to spend about 90 seconds
on a website looking for their needs. If they have to scroll down
several pages to find what they want, they'll leave! No one wants to scroll
to find what they need. By having a table or list of information
available, users can easily navigate the site.
4- Date of Currency
Of course, it is important to keep information
up to date. Students will want to visit the site for links to what they
are currently learning and parents will want to know about the Book Fair
before it happens.
5- Links
Links for teacher support, student resources,
and parent information are all possible links to include. Make sure
the links work and are up to date. Librarians should alphabetize,
annotate, and date all links.
6- Unique Features
What makes your website different from someone
else's? Well, you can include photographs from digital camera instead
of clip art. What about sound? Make your website attractive
and fun, yet informational.
Strengths:
1. Site lists how many resources the library has available.
2. Links for student research are accessible.
3. The digital camera was used to take a picture of the library.
Areas for Improvement:
1. The hours of operation and services available could be listed.
2. The site isn't very helpful for parents, students, or the
school community because of too little information.
3. It isn't current.
Strengths:
1. The media center check out policy is noted.
2. A description of what ever grade level is currently working on in
the media center is available.
3. The media specialist's email is available so parents and students
may contact her.
Areas of Improvement:
1. There aren't any links available for students who are currently
studying a unit to visit for more information.
2. There aren't any unique features.
3. The media center resources aren't noted anywhere. They
should note what resources are available at the media center.
Areas of Improvement:
1. The blue background is a little too dark, which makes it difficult
to read some parts.
I can't think of any others!!!!