School Library Websites: the possibilities are endless!

Intner and Weihs (2007) write about decisions to shelve the libraries resources in their book, Standard Cataloging For School and Public Libraries, that “It is entirely up to the local library to decide what works best for all its staff and provides the best service for its patrons” (p. 16). I would argue further that many other aspects of a library are guided by the needs of the employees and the users of the library. One such example that reflects this statement is the set up of the school library website, both how to set up a School library website and what to include within this website. School library websites can provide an excellent opportunity to improve and enhance access to information. However, the libraries users ultimately determine what kind of layout and what type of resources should be included in this website. In addition, the teacher librarians, whose experiences vary in relation to technical expertise and time available for creating and updating school library websites, also determine the features of the website.

The creation of a school library website increases the accessibility of library resources. Library users can utilize and access resources from any computer, whether at school or not. Therefore, it is in the best interest of students that each library has one. However, as seen in the websites reviewed in Activity 4, library websites can greatly differ from one another. For example, the Scotch College Library website includes such things as a research link (including sections on research skills, essay writing skills, study skills and bibliography writing skills) because it’s users are at the college level and are heavily involved in the writing of research papers. Another example is the North Elementary School Library Media Center Website, which includes many links that would be useful to students, teachers and parents at the elementary school level. Within this elementary school website there are a variety of age and content appropriate links to other websites that can be very helpful for elementary school students. Many users, young and old, can become overwhelmed with the sheer amount of information available (in libraries and on the web). Therefore, a web page, such as these examples provided, can help to guide students to helpful and appropriate resources that will support their learning. To include a cohesive collection of information and resources all in one location, saves its users the time and effort necessary that it would take to have to locate this information separately on their own. The Scotch College Library web page, won the IASL School Library Technology Innovation Award -2007 because above all it “provides a free flow of information and ideas, and promotes the school library services.” This should be the goal of all library website creators, keeping in mind, always, the intended users of these libraries.

However,consideration for the creators of these library web pages must also be taken in consideration. The creation of a website does take some technical know-how, not to mention time in which to create the website. While websites, such as the two previously mentioned, demonstrate well developed examples of sites that enhance access to information, it needs to be acknowledged that there may have been numerous people or money invested in order to produce these sites. For the teacher librarian, who does not have access to these resources and may be limited on time, websites of this caliber may not be easy to create all at once. A teacher librarian who lacks the technical knowledge in this area may have to seek out professional development opportunities in this area in order to accomplish this task. In addition, before one takes on this task, they should take the time to view many other school library websites to get an idea of the possibilities and choose options that suit the needs of their particular users (as already mentioned). While sites, such as the one for Lord Byng Secondary School, may look mediocre in comparison to the previous two mentioned it may be a good example of a place where someone with limited experience and time can start. This library does not have its own website, but instead has a page within the school’s website. In addition, this library has its own blog, accessed through the library’s page on the school website. Theoretically, a person could create something on the school website or create a blog, where additions could be added over time to improve access to information. For example, web 2.0 tools could be incorporated into the design in order to promote information literacy skills for students and teachers. As well, there are many links that could also be added to a school library website that could also enrich access to information and also connect users to curriculum related sites that they may find useful or interesting. However, regardless of process of website development, the goal is to enhance information to access and to support the users of your libraries. With this in mind the possibilities are endless.