"How essential is a school library homepage and can we do without one? Consider grade levels, the size of the school etc."
As a librarian in and 8-12 school, the website is an important starting point for students.
Last year I asked the principal to add Library as a tab on the school home page, hoping that he would work with me to develop the site. He takes the website on as part of his role, and updates it every day or so. I sent him a variety of links to put on, but they ended up on a student page list that was not organized in any way.
I have been teaching students how to search the database, and the link was on the student page, but they always went to the under-construction library page, and didn't even think to go to the student page. That makes me wonder if they ever use that page or the website in general.
The more a secondary libray has to offer on its' pages, the more students will see it as a place to go to find the help they need 24-7. My goal is to eventually have a website that other teachers and schools go to as an example of a great site. It will be a huge learning curve.
"Based on the sites that you reviewed, what are the most important elements of an attractive, useable school library homepage? Be very specific."
Clear organization seems to be the best thing I have noticed. I find Joyce Valenza's sites busy and so packed full of information, I get lost. Her sites make me feel like a failure, and I wish she listed how many tech staff she has that help her to maintain her many sites. I find her sites messy and visually distracting. While they may be held up as great examples, I think they would be difficult for visually impaired students and learning disabled students to navigate.
I find the Torquay Elementary Library site more doable, although I will need to show this to my principal, so he can understand that it can be managed through a district server. I like this site best because it's organization is clear and concise. The audience for it is also clear: students predominantly, with a small section for students.
"If you have been successful in developing a school library homepage, do you have any suggestions for others on how this was accomplished? Was the effort involved in developing the homepage worth it? "
My library site is under development and as yet I have no suggestions.
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