1. Library Websites Best Practices and New Findings
rhslibrary.org/ppt/library_websites.ppt
Library Websites
Best Practices and New Findings
Tom Kaun, Library Media Teacher, Redwood High School, Larkspur CA

2. Joyce Valenza’s Evaluation Model
“The library Web page is your second front door.”
“The effective library Web page pulls together ... all of the library’s resources--print and electronic.”
“It offers guidance while it fosters independent learning.”
“It models careful selection.”
“It offers valuable public service and can redefine ‘community’.”
"It can even lead users back to print.”
“A good library Web page offers implicit instruction and projects an important image of the librarian as an information professional.”
11/21/2018
Tom Kaun, Library Media Teacher, Redwood High School, Larkspur CA

3. Provides Second Front Door
Open 24/7/365
Gives access to many resources which can be used for homework
Teachers assignments
Pathfinders
Catalog with links to full text ebooks and websites
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Tom Kaun, Library Media Teacher, Redwood High School, Larkspur CA

4. Integrates All Resources
Access to all different media from one site
Catalog which indexes all media including print and non-print, websites and ebooks
Pages of links or bookmarks
Public library links
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Tom Kaun, Library Media Teacher, Redwood High School, Larkspur CA

5. Guides Independent Learning
Research guides
Citation guidelines
Web pages of links to specific topics
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Tom Kaun, Library Media Teacher, Redwood High School, Larkspur CA

6. Models Careful Selection
Selected search tools which the LMT knows and teaches how to use
Links to web directories/indexes
Cataloging of selected web sites and ebooks
Site index
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Tom Kaun, Library Media Teacher, Redwood High School, Larkspur CA

7. Tom Kaun, Library Media Teacher, Redwood High School, Larkspur CA
Offers Public Service
Events calendars
Online ordering
Newsletters
Suggestion box
Book review sharing
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Tom Kaun, Library Media Teacher, Redwood High School, Larkspur CA

8. Tom Kaun, Library Media Teacher, Redwood High School, Larkspur CA
Redefines Community
Available to everyone
Newsletters
Volunteers’ pages
Events lists
11/21/2018
Tom Kaun, Library Media Teacher, Redwood High School, Larkspur CA

9. Tom Kaun, Library Media Teacher, Redwood High School, Larkspur CA
Leads Users to Print
Book reviews & booklists
OPAC
List of periodical subscriptions
How to find poetry/plays/fiction sheets
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Tom Kaun, Library Media Teacher, Redwood High School, Larkspur CA

10. Offers Implicit Instruction
Research Handbook
Orientation
Finding Information on the Internet
How to use the Readers’ Guide
Web evaluation guide
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Tom Kaun, Library Media Teacher, Redwood High School, Larkspur CA

11. Projects Librarian as an Information Professional
Staff page
Policy statements
Teacher-librarian collaboration
11/21/2018
Tom Kaun, Library Media Teacher, Redwood High School, Larkspur CA

12. IASL/Concord Award Criteria
rhslibrary.org/ppt/library_websites.ppt
IASL/Concord Award Criteria
school library/librarian involvement in site development;
relevance to the goals and objectives of the school library;
visual appeal;
organization of information;
quality of the writing and use of language;
ease of use of the page/site, and navigational features;
educational, information, entertainment, or public relations value of the page/site;
appropriateness for the needs of users;
evidence of update policy and currency of information and links;
technical quality;
value as a model for other school libraries/librarians.
11/21/2018
Tom Kaun, Library Media Teacher, Redwood High School, Larkspur CA
Tom Kaun, Library Media Teacher, Redwood High School, Larkspur CA

13. Other Good Criteria Websites
Donna Baumbach, et al. have written two articles about the contents of school library websites:
What Should Be on Your School Library Media Page? FETConnections Summer Florida Educational Technology Corp.
What Should Be on a School Library Web Page? Learning & Leading with Technology Sept ISTE. [available only to subscribers]
11/21/2018
Tom Kaun, Library Media Teacher, Redwood High School, Larkspur CA

14. Items to Consider Including on School Library Web Pages
General Information
Name of school and LMC
Contact information
Address, phone, fax,
Staff names and titles
Mission statement
LMC particulars
Hours
Policies and procedures
Site map
Announcements
New materials
Special events
Library newsletter
Miscellaneous
Info about famous alums
“Tip of the day”
“Quote of the day”
Links to special events
Photos of LMC
LMC annual report/statistics
LMC recognition by others
11/21/2018
Tom Kaun, Library Media Teacher, Redwood High School, Larkspur CA

15. More Items to Consider Including
Links To
Local OPAC and other library’s catalogs
Search engines
Online databases
Lists of periodicals
News sources
Reading lists
Book reviews
Online tools to help with research
Dictionaries/thesauruses
Citation guides
Study skills and tips
Resources for teachers
Lesson plans
Specific teacher assignments
Resources for librarians
Resources for library staff
State and district standards
Resources for parents
Subject area resources
Useful forms and handouts
Online tutorials
Slide shows
11/21/2018
Tom Kaun, Library Media Teacher, Redwood High School, Larkspur CA

16. No-noes on a School Library Website
No links from school home page
Static pages
Flash introductions, uncontrollable music or sound
Lack of basic or contact information
Not indicating which resources are available from “school only”
Providing user names and passwords on website
Too many clicks to get anywhere
Little or no useful information
Links that aren’t obvious
Animations that don’t quit
One long page
11/21/2018
Tom Kaun, Library Media Teacher, Redwood High School, Larkspur CA

17. Thing That Make a Library Website Ugly
Inaccessibility to potential users
Links that don’t
Not indicating file or download formats or requirements
Bad grammar, spelling, punctuation
Lack of legibility, e.g. busy or dark backgrounds
Unpleasant aesthetics
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Tom Kaun, Library Media Teacher, Redwood High School, Larkspur CA

18. Librarian Involved in Site Development
Minkel, W. Who runs your Web site? It should be you. School Library Journal. 1 Nov
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Tom Kaun, Library Media Teacher, Redwood High School, Larkspur CA

19. Tom Kaun, Library Media Teacher, Redwood High School, Larkspur CA
Value as a Model
Some exemplary web sites
P.L. Duffy Resource Center
IASL/Concord Web Page Award
University Laboratory High School Library
Chico High School Library
Oxnard High School Library Information Center
Springfield Township High School Virtual Library
Westminster School Library
The Resource Center Birtles Library
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Tom Kaun, Library Media Teacher, Redwood High School, Larkspur CA

20. Tom Kaun, Library Media Teacher, Redwood High School, Larkspur CA
General Resources
Writing School Library Web Pages
HomeMaker for Libraries
School Libraries on the Web
Work Horse or Show Pony?
Writing for the Web: A Primer for Librarians
The School Library as Information Provider
Learning and Teaching with Web Resources
Secrets of Great School Web Sites (pdf)
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Tom Kaun, Library Media Teacher, Redwood High School, Larkspur CA

21. URL for This Presentation
And thanks for your kind attention at the end of a long conference!
11/21/2018
Tom Kaun, Library Media Teacher, Redwood High School, Larkspur CA

22. Tom Kaun, Library Media Teacher, Redwood High School, Larkspur CA
Acknowledgements
Ball, J. (2002) Work Horse or Show Pony? (Nov. 8, 2003)
Baumbach, D. et al. (2004) What Should Be on a School Library Web Page? Learning & Leading with Technology Sept ISTE. (Nov. 8, 2005) [available to subscribers only]
(2005) What Should Be on Your School Library Media Page? FETConnections Summer Florida Educational Technology Corp. (Nov. 8, 2005)
Clyde, L. (1997) The School Library as Information provider: The Home Page. (Nov. 8, 2003)
School Library Web Sites: The State of the Art (Nov. 8, 2003)
IASL/Concord School Library Web Page Awards. Selection Criteria. (Oct. 24, 2003)
Minkel, W. Who runs your Web site? It should be you. School Library Journal. 1 Nov
Schell, E. Writing for the Web: A Primer for Librarians (Nov. 8, 2003)
Valenza, J. A WebQuest about School Library Web Sites. (Oct. 24, 2003)
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Tom Kaun, Library Media Teacher, Redwood High School, Larkspur CA