Creating a Students’ Library Website

Debbie Gibbons

IL

Schroeder, E. E. 1. & Zarinnia, A. E. 2. (2012). Creating a students’ library website. School Library Monthly, 28(7). 29-32. Retrieved from  http://libaccess.sjlibrary.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=llf&AN=86858664&site=ehost-live

Summary:

Many librarians curate a website for their users. This article explains why and how a librarian should use the website to support knowledge creation. In contributing to a collective library website, learners engage in conversation and collaboration to build and share knowledge. They develop the skills of reasoning, problem solving, and the ability to work with others. The article names several elements of an engaging website and lists tech tools and programs for the librarian to implement.

Review:

As a longtime classroom teacher, I have been studying educational theories and trends for years. But in a recent move to the computer lab, the learning curve for educational technology has been steep. I appreciate articles like this which list technology applications and their functions in encouraging student learning. This article was published in 2012, so new programs have been developed since, but many of the tools suggested are still relevant.

Where to start? Creating virtual library spaces.

Litzinger, Vicki.

Buerkett, Rebecca. (2014). Where to start? Creating virtual library spaces. Knowledge Quest, 42(4), E23-E27.

IL

Summary
As we rethink and change our physical library spaces, the author points out that we cannot forget about our virtual spaces as well, “…creating a virtual library space should be a priority.” (E23) Buerkett walks us through the important steps of this process: choosing a platform, deciding on resources to include on the site, assessing the site, and tweaking, constantly. She also reminds to include a blog or news feed, pictures of students, widgets such as Shelfari or Flickr, and to certainly consider appeal and functionality. The author includes useful examples of websites to visit for ideas.

Evaluation
This article was concise and provided me with valuable information as I rethink my library’s presence online, and why I need to revise my website. I appreciated the reminder that a thoughtful and useful web presence is a valuable advocacy tool, and that it might be first place to start when rethinking and revisioning my library program.