Media Center Web Pages

Does your Web site help you do your job?  David Warlick asked this question in his article about building Web sites that work for media centers, and I began to ponder on the question as I began my research on media center Web pages.  One of a media specialist’s jobs is to get students reading, and creating a Web page that helps to do that helps us accomplish this goal.  The key here is communication!  We want to present information that adds value to the service we provide. We must be an advocate for our own programs and sell them to our stakeholders.

I found it eye-opening to examine the different Web sites provided for this assignment, especially since they are all geared toward different levels. It was helpful for me to see the different levels; I’ve only had experience with elementary school sites.  Most had the same basic information that I feel should be included on every media center’s Web site.  These should include staff names and contact information, hours, policies and procedures, an OPAC link, current events, and links to online resources. Another feature that I feel is a must on a media center’s Web page is information about copyright.  This is for both the teachers and the students. 

I found some websites more appealing and useful than others. Media center Web sites should be well designed, informative and current.  In fact, I came across some links on some sites that did not work.  Other sites had outdated information.  Keeping up a media center Web page is time-consuming; however, if it is going to help fulfill your goals, it must stay current. You want your patrons to find the page useful and informative in order to have them return later. One must make sure your Web page meets the needs of your patrons.  As Jurkowski (2010) explains, “A library Web page for a third grader will be much different than for a high school student.”  With that thought in mind, one should build a Web site that is both inviting and user-friendly for the students that will be served.

As media specialists, we want our media center program valued, and we should take the opportunity to show how it enhances the overall instructional program of the school to help increase student achievement.  By including a mission statement and even a link to the school’s mission statement, we help others see the value of our job.

As I browsed the different Web sties, I’ve made notes for future reference of things I like (and don’t like) for my future Web page.