Website


 * Dec 2010 - update || Feb 2011 PD ||

Planning
School Library Web Design || ==Reviewing the rules: Keep it simple!== Manage your library website just as you would your physical library. Every one of these rules applies to a physical school library, if you think about it. Every one applies to a school library website as well. Whether you use a blog or build your own, keep them in mind as you design and create your content.
 * Best Practices in

Rogers Park Middle School - Danbury Newtown High School- Newtown ||
 * 1) Content is king! (Or queen.) Without books there is no library; without content there is no website.
 * 2) Organize your content logically, and make your visual design reflect that organization — just like the stacks in a library.
 * 3) Provide clear and consistent navigation (like the card catalog).
 * 4) Label everything clearly — be literal, not cute. (The Dewey Decimal System isn’t metaphorical. Don’t you be, either.)
 * 5) Use images, audio, and animations only when necessary, and always provide alternate content.
 * 6) Keep your design clean and simple. Use a minimum of fonts (no more than two per page) and colors. More will distract from the content. ||
 * Web pages created by school librarians - Connecticut || Norfeldt Elementary - West Hartford
 * Web pagescreated by school librarians || The Unquiet Library - Buffy Hamilton ||  ||   ||

Elements of NPS Library web pages
Proposal of design featuring 6-8 buttons was developed at the Nov. 2 inservice. Joan met with Theonne Lawrence to discuss feasability and next steps.



** Library Website Update - Dec. 2010 **
==After working with Theonne Lawrence on our library website, I have discovered that we are VERY limited in what we can do within this program. Consequently, I think we need to revamp our initial design. ==

__FIRST: consider the following__
KISS keep it simple, sweetheart. BF The buttons we discussed sounded good but why not just start with the 4 most important ones. Get them started and promote them. G.E. Simple for us to create and easy for parents to navigate. Jean I have no problem with simple, as long as "simple" doesn't mean "skimpy." If we're going to do this work, I want as much utility out of the site as possible. -Nicole || I agree BF ﻿How often do we want to update? Should it be done one a month or like the school newsletters? G. E//. Be realistic about updating- it won't happen that often so our first venture should be a good one! Jean // I agree with Jean. We're all swamped. Let's put work into this at the beginning and design it so it's a time-//saver// down the line. That means minimal updating, for now. -Nicole || I think parents are the main audience at the elementary level. LF﻿ I think parents (and with a push from us students) are our audience. KT I think mostly parents and students second (I'm not sure how many go on the school website at all) BF Students and parents are our audience with an emphasis on students as they get their" Internet feet". Especially students in grades 2-4 need reasons to go to the web site. We might want to all consider purchasing WEB PATH EXPRESS and/ or some other online sources. The high school has resources to offer online, what do the elementary schools have beside the card catalog? G.E. I //believe our audience will be mostly parents. Students will hopefully begin to surf Destiny from home. Jean// I think our students don't use the website now because there's not a lot on it for them. We can-- and should-- change that. Many of my students would work from home or the public library if they had more access to resources. We can provide that through our website. So I say students first. Then, parents, administrators, tax-payers, school board, etc should all be considered an important "second" tier for program-promotion purposes. -Nicole ||
 * **Question/Issue** || **Your comments, suggestions, opinions, etc.** ||
 * How complicated do we want to get? || Joan: I want to keep this as simple and direct as possible. I agree Simple! MP Simple﻿ is best. LF Yes . . . keep it simple! KT
 * How much time do we have to devote to this project? || Joan: Because this is something that we will HAVE to keep up with in order to keep it fresh and timely, I think we need to keep it simple and stick to the basics for starters – we can always add and expand. Yup! MP Agreed. LF Sounds good. KT
 * What do we want to accomplish through this page? || Joan: My perspective is that our department should create a unified presence on each school’s website. Our page should be one where basic information about us is located with links to events and news that we want to share with our community – our resources should remain located on our catalog homepage, which, in my opinion, should be our REAL presence within our buildings. A question for the future - perhaps a link from your school’s Destiny homepage TO your school’s library homepage - so that there is a loop of information. Agreed. KT I also agree BFWhat events and news are you planning to share? Is this going to be a unified approach as well? Will this be a rehash of what is done in our school newsletters? Can we put students work and pictures on our web site? G.E. //Program and Destiny are 2 things I feel strongly about. Simple proceedures and policies are also a necessity for parents at the elementary level who always ask questions over & over again . jean// I like the "loop" idea. I think we can and should revisit those 4 "essential" buttons to make sure that they really say what we want them to say. What is most important for our department, in terms of "branding?" -Nicole ||
 * Who is the audience? || Joan: Mainly students and parents - with a shift in emphasis to one over the other at each level. But, the information remains the same - basic information with the KISS model in play for all of us! Students and staff are our primary audience at hs MP

__BUTTONS:__
===Any buttons will be mounted within a table – Theonne will need to design them in photo shop and will mount them on each library media center’s school website as needed. ===

__Links from buttons__: **//this is where we need to know what we want to do with the button//** Considerations: 1. Additional pages must be “custom” done on the administrative level – they can only be updated by someone with administrative permissions (the page will **not** show up on your list of pages when you sign in to edit your page) – this is a limitation of the site itself. 2. Buttons can be directly linked to any URL – wiki, blog, website, Destiny, etc. Are we going to create a button to a place we we can update ourselves? G.E. 3. Buttons linked to a PDF file or presentation (power point) will go to the “file” or “presentation” page where the file will need to be selected in order to be opened – the file **//cannot//** be automatically opened from the button.

Given the above information, if we have a button that: 1. Has an additional page that must be created within the existed website program, we will not be able to change or update those additional pages ourselves. 2. Links to a wiki or blog - we will need to create those links (i.e. wiki, blog, etc.) – or, in the case of Destiny, it already exists – no problem with that direct link 3. Links to a file – it will not be a direct link, but will open to another page and require an additional click to download the file.

__**AUTOMATIC LINKS: **__ There are specific links in this website program that, when propagated, will automatically appear at the top of the page (whether you want them to or not). These include:
 * Calendar
 * Files
 * News
 * Presentations

=__THIRD: Explore for yourself __= <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">**//To get a better idea of what is available//**, log in (under “staff only”) and select the “library” from the drop down menu. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">You will see a list of what we have to choose from that does not involve a custom page.

//<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt;">**Examine a page that is working within the parameters of the program:** // <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Check out the //Athletics// page on the NHS website. It has a combination of buttons and information. **The buttons** link to additional information – For example: · <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt;">The Sports News button – links to a page that is already part of the website program – the “news” page (also note that the word [and link to] “news” <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">appears at the top of the page) · <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt;">The Sports Schedule button – links to another pre-existing page within the website, the “calendar” page – again the word [and link to] “calendar” <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">appears at the top of the page. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">All of their buttons link to pre-existing pages within the program. **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt;">The information **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt;"> that is included //after// the buttons is the kind of information that (according to Theonne) “people need right up front” on a main page without clicking on anything else – it’s “can’t miss” info – like our FAQs and our philosophy.

=__ FOURTH: Proposals __=

The place to add your ideas and voice your opinion

__**JOAN:**__ //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt;">Scale back our page design to the following: // <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">A main page that would feature 3 buttons followed by our FAQs and Philosophy & Roles listed on the page – similar to the Athletics page (we can customize our own buttons) <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Proposed Buttons: <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">1. Each school’s catalog and resources <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">2. News and events <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">3. Button TBD by each level (example: Program highlights – could link to the “forms” page – which allows PDF files or to the “files” page. I did not include a "calendar" button because whatever you fill in on the calendar page automatically is posted to your school's main page calendar of events and the "calendar" link will appear at the top of your library's page - so why do we need an extra button? __MAUREEN__ <span style="color: #008080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I like having the FAQs and library info. right on the page -- there is no need to have a button for that basic info. I do think that it would be wise to have a link for all levels to information about the program -- I think we really need to show how valuable (and necessary) we are. Could be a link that is embedded into text on the page (in the FAQs). It would be easy to put up a wikipage where we have info. on the program at all levels. __BETSY__ I have to say that I agree with the three buttons Catalog + Resources/ News + Events/ Grade Level links. I would also need a brief inservice with hopefully time to create the links. So people who want a lot of information about the program can find it and those who just need basic facts {FAQ} can find that. __NICOLE__ Joan, I agree that we don't need a "calendar" button if it appears on top, but I wonder if then we should replace that fourth space with an FAQ button. I envision the first page as having very little text; I want it to be clear and uncluttered. Elegant. (I think the "Athletics" site is too busy.) If we DO have text beneath the buttons, it should only be the most essential information, such as the philosophy and maybe a bulleted list of the "Roles of the Library Media Specialist" (like we created for the Program Guide). Also, I think that the ugly "contact information" table should be //below// the buttons for aesthetic purposes-- is that possible? Finally, maybe I'm missing something, but why //can't// we create a link to our program guide? I understand that the "link" would require the user to download the file, but that's not an insurmountable obstacle. __JEAN__ I wish this didn't have to be so"structured" and restricted from the start.I agree with buttons for catalog & resources, grade level program info. I am not a big fan of news & events as a button. I would like to find another place to include that info if one so desires. I'd rather have no such item than an out dated one. I agree w/Kate about a group meeting focusing on content (with visuals) and then training. __GAIL__ __LISA ﻿ __ I would like to see a nice large and clear photo of the Library Media Center on the first page along with basic information about the library and contact inofrmation for the LMS. As for the buttons, I would like to see 3 buttons. 1 Catalog and Resources 2. News and Events 3. Grade Level Expectations with seperate links for each grade level listing program guide highlights - like we did for the brochure. As for updating the website ourselves, I do not mind taking the ownership for updating my own News and Events page, but I maintain a need for a brief inservice w/ written directions before having this as an expectation for us. As for the 2 hour PD, I think the primary focus should be on content. __KATE__ I would agree with the following proposed buttons: 1. Catalog/Resources 2. News/Events 3. Grade Level Links listing program guide highlights since we can't load our program guide. And I agree with Maureen that we need to use this website to provide valuable program information which will showcase our importance and relevance. I am hoping that the 2 hour PD will focus on content for our websites and training would follow when appropriate. __PAMELA__

__FIFTH: Timeline__
Dec. 7 - January 7, 2011 -- review information presented above. Comment as needed. Add your proposal or indicate the proposal you support. January 14 - Feedback and proposals will determine the agenda for this 2 hour PD

== =Professional Development - Feb. 4:=

The following was suggested at the January 24 department meeting: NOTE: Verify these titles on Feb. 4. Button color update: According to Theonne, since the background color for each school's site is blue, she feels that the buttons should remain in the same blue. She will try to get maroon into Chaffee's buttons and green into E Green's buttons because those are the only 2 sites with colors other than blue.
 * 3 buttons in common for all levels:
 * Program Highlights/Grade level expectations
 * Catalog/Resources
 * News/Events/Presentations


 * Beneath the buttons:
 * FAQs on the main page
 * Be sure to update the mission, or the philosophy and the goals if they are to be included.


 * Post all work to this wiki page - either add it below or upload the word document that was created**
 * __** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">﻿ NHS LIBRARY FAQs **__

**//Who do I go to for information in the NHS library?//** The NHS library media specialists are Mrs. Joseph and Mrs. Plourd. **//When can I use the NHS library?//** Monday–Friday / 7:30 – 3:00

**//How do I use the NHS library?//** Stop in any time before or after school. During the school day: come in with a scheduled class OR as a study hall alternative. To use in place of a study hall: -Report directly to the library (do NOT report to your study hall) -Check whiteboard for computer availability -Scan your ID at the circulation desk -Sign up for a computer (if available) or work at tables in main library

Though not required, you may RESERVE A SPOT! Stop by the library in the morning to reserve a seat or a computer
 * // How can I be sure to have a space in the library during study hall? //**

//** How do I borrow materials? **// -Make your selection – browse the NEW BOOKS shelves search the NHS catalog ask for suggestions from a teacher or librarian -Bring the materials to the circulation desk for sign-out Most books circulate for 2 weeks LITCRIT books circulate overnight only

//** What if my books are late? **// There are fines for overdue materials at NHS! -For 2 week books: LATE FEE: $0.05 per school day -For LITCRIT and overnight books: LATE FEE: $0.05 per PERIOD Unpaid fines and unreturned books will result in being put on the NHS Delinquency List

//** Where is the ONLY student-use copier in ﻿Newington﻿ High? **// The NHS Library, where copies are $.10

//**How can I access the NHS databases in school?**// The NHS Catalog Homepage has direct links to all databases and other resources.

//**How can I access the NHS databases and resources from home?**// See the NHS REMOTE ONLINE ACCESS page for details and passwords. ||

__**2. BUTTONS**__ - determine potential content for buttons:
 * 1) Link to catalog
 * 2) News and events – what might this include at your level? Perhaps events you either participate in(which might emphasize what YOU do) or sponsor (like a book club or a lunch bunch) which would then also show up on your school’s homepage
 * 3) Program highlights? //what we include will determine the format of how the information will be delivered...//

=**NHS 2/4/2011 work:**= 1. NHS Catalog & Resources 2. Information Literacy Program 3. News and Events --- to include NHS Book Club, digital documentation of monthly displays, events taking place at the NHS library, information about new materials and resources, links to informational presentations NOTE: we are experimenting with custom banners instead of the buttons - they are easy to make and allow us to make all changes
 * Buttons:**
 * Beneath the buttons:**
 * FAQs**

Elementary Library Media SpeciaIists Website Prototype In-Service, 2/4/11